Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation
of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust, Trust management has evaluated the effectiveness of
the Trust’s and the Funds’ disclosure controls and procedures, and the principal executive officer and principal financial
officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust and the Funds (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) were effective, as of December 31, 2024, to provide
reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the 1934 Act on behalf
of the Trust and the Funds is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules
and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, of the Trust as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
The Trust’s management is responsible for
establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting of the Trust and the Funds, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) under the 1934 Act. The Trust’s and the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting is a process designed
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of the assets of the Trust and the Funds; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Trust’s
and the Funds’ receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management of the
Trust on behalf of the Trust and the Funds; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of the Trust’s or the Funds’ assets that could have a material effect on the Trust’s
or the Funds’ financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
28
Management, including the principal executive
officer and principal financial officer of the Trust, assessed the effectiveness of the Trust’s and the Funds’ internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. Their assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Trust’s and the
Funds’ internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of their internal control over financial
reporting. In making its assessment, the Trust’s management has utilized the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its report entitled Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) . Based
on their assessment and those criteria, management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the
Trust, concluded that the Trust’s and the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31,
2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Trust’s or
the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2024 that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s or the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.
Certifications
The certifications by the Principal Executive
Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Trust required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which
are filed or furnished as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, apply both to the Trust taken as a whole and each Fund, and the
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Trust are certifying both as to the Trust taken as a whole and each
Fund.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Not applicable .
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
29
Part III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The Sponsor
Volatility Shares LLC, is the Sponsor of the Trust
and the Funds. As noted above, the Sponsor has exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Funds. The Trustee
has no duty or liability to supervise the performance of the Sponsor, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions
of the Sponsor.
As of December 31, 2024, the Sponsor serves as
the Trust’s commodity pool operator. Specifically, with respect to the Trust, the Sponsor:
●
Manages and directs the Funds’ portfolio of Financial
Instruments and other assets, including cash and cash equivalents;
●
selects the Funds’ service providers;
●
negotiates various agreements and fees;
●
performs such other services as the Sponsor believes
that the Trust may require from time to time;
●
selects the FCM and Financial Instrument counterparties,
if any; and
●
Oversees the Commodity
Sub-Adviser’s management of the Funds’ portfolio of Financial Instruments and other assets, including cash equivalents.
The Shares are not deposits or other obligations
of the Sponsor, the Trustee or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any other bank, are not guaranteed by the Sponsor,
the Trustee or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any other bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other governmental agency. An investment in the Shares of the Fund offered hereby is speculative
and involves a high degree of risk.
The principal office of the Sponsor is located
at 2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408. The telephone number of the Sponsor and the Trust is (866) 261-0273.
30
Background and Principals
As of December 31, 2024, Volatility Shares LLC,
the Sponsor, is a limited liability company formed in Delaware on July 25, 2019. The Sponsor was formed for the purpose of sponsoring
volatility-linked exchange-traded funds, of which the Funds are the first. Prior to its engagement as Sponsor of the Funds, the Sponsor
had no operating history.
The Sponsor currently serves as the commodity
pool operator of the Trust and the Funds. The Sponsor is registered as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC and is a member in good
standing of the NFA. The Sponsor’s membership with the NFA was originally approved on October 14, 2019. Its membership with the
NFA is currently effective. The Sponsor’s registration as a commodity pool operator was originally approved on October 14, 2019.
Its registration as a commodity pool operator is currently effective. As a registered commodity pool operator, with respect to the Trust,
the Sponsor must comply with various regulatory requirements under the CEA, and the rules and regulations of the CFTC and the NFA, including
investor protection requirements, antifraud prohibitions, disclosure requirements, and reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The
NFA approved the Sponsor as a Swaps Firm on October 14, 2019. The Sponsor is also subject to periodic examinations by the CFTC and NFA
staff. Its principal place of business is 2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408. The telephone number of the Sponsor
and the Trust is (866) 261-0273. The registration of the Sponsor with the CFTC and its membership in the NFA must not be taken as an
indication that either the CFTC or the NFA has recommended or approved the Sponsor, the Trust and the Funds.
Executive Officers of the Trust and Principals and Significant
Employees of the Sponsor
Name
Position
Justin Young*
Principal of the Sponsor (since 10/4/2019)
Associated Person of the Sponsor (since 12/12/2019)
Principal Executive Officer (since 4/8/2021)
Principal Financial Officer (since 4/8/2021)
Principal Accounting Officer of the Trust (since 4/8/2021)
Stuart Barton*
Principal of the Sponsor (since 10/2/2019)
Associated Person of the Sponsor (since 10/14/2019)
Chief Investment Officer (since 4/8/21)
Chang
Kim*
Principal
of the Sponsor (since 1/26/2022)
Chief Compliance Officer (since 1/26/2022)
Charles Lowery*
Principal
of the Sponsor (since 7/6/2023)
Head of
Product Management (since 7/6/2023)
Manzone LLC
Principal of the Sponsor (since 2/11/2021)
*
Denotes principal of the Sponsor who participates in
making trading decisions for the Funds.
The following is a biographical summary of the
business experience of the executive officers of the Trust and the principals and significant employees of the Sponsor. Of the Principals
listed below, only Justin Young, Stuart Barton, Chang Kim, and Charles Lowery participate in making trading or operational decisions
for the Funds or supervise persons engaged in making trading or operational decisions for the Funds.
Justin Young holds a BA in American Studies
from Georgetown University. From April 2017 to December 2023, he served as Managing Partner of Invest In Vol LLC (overseeing operations
at an investment adviser); from August 2015 to April 2017, he was Vice President of Rex Shares LLC (overseeing product development
at an ETF sponsor); from April 2011 to August 2015 he was Head of Capital Markets for Global X Management Company LLC
(overseeing capital markets operations for an ETF sponsor); and from July 2009 to April 2011 he was an Associate of NYSE Euronext
(working on a number of listing matters for a national securities exchange).
Stuart Barton holds a PhD in Economic History
from the University of Cambridge, an MBA from the University of Surrey, and a B.Sc in engineering from the University of Cape Town. From
March 2017 to December 2023, he served as Managing Partner of Invest In Vol LLC (overseeing operations at an investment adviser);
from September 2016 to March 2017 he was Chief Investment Officer of Rex Shares (overseeing investments at an ETF sponsor);
from September 2014 to September 2017 he was Managing Partner at Corpus Capital Partners LLC (overseeing operations at a commodity
pool operator); from October 2010 to September 2014 he was a Ph.D. Candidate (completed Ph.D.) at the University of Cambridge,
UK; from January 2008 to October 2010 he was unemployed and engaged in travel; from June 2007 to January 2008 he
was Senior Equity Derivatives Trader at HSBC’s Hong Kong office (traded derivatives at an investment bank); from September 2004
to June 2007 he was Senior Equity Derivatives Trader at Barclays Capital PLC in New York (traded derivatives at a broker-dealer);
and from August 2001 to September 2004 he was Equity Derivatives Trader at Barclays Capital PLC in London.
Chang Kim holds a BA in Film Studies from
Yale University. From January 2021 to December 2021, he served as the CEO of The Library Shop, Inc. (overseeing operations at an e-commerce business);
from September 2009 to December 2020, he served as a Portfolio Manager and the COO at Global X Management Company LLC (overseeing operations
at an ETF sponsor).
Charles Lowery holds a BS in Business Administration
from Georgetown University. From March 2017 to April 2023, he was Director of ETF Portfolio Management at Milliman Financial Risk Management
LLC (overseeing portfolio management and operations at an ETF sponsor); and from October 2006 to July 2016, he was a portfolio manager
at ProShare Advisors LLC (managing trading and portfolio management for ETFs).
Manzone LLC became a Principal of the Sponsor
on February 11, 2021. Manzone LLC has a passive ownership interest in the Sponsor and exercises no management authority over the Funds.
31
Duties of the Sponsor and Indemnification
The general fiduciary duties which would otherwise
be imposed on the Sponsor (which would make its operation of the Trust as described herein impracticable due to the strict prohibition
imposed by such duties on, for example, conflicts of interest on behalf of a fiduciary in its dealings with its beneficiaries), are replaced
by the terms of the Trust Agreement (to which terms all shareholders, by subscribing to the Shares, are deemed to consent).
The Trust Agreement provides that the Sponsor
and its affiliates shall have no liability to the Trust or to any shareholder for any loss suffered by the Trust arising out of any action
or inaction of the Sponsor or its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, managers or employees
(the “Sponsor Related Parties”), if the Sponsor Related Parties, in good faith, determined that such course of conduct was
in the best interests of the Funds and such course of conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Sponsor
Related Parties. The Trust has agreed to indemnify the Sponsor Related Parties against claims, losses or liabilities based on their conduct
relating to the Trust, provided that the conduct resulting in the claims, losses or liabilities for which indemnity is sought
did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct and was done in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in the
best interests of the Funds.
Under Delaware law, a beneficial owner of a statutory
trust (such as a shareholder of the Funds) may, under certain circumstances, institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other
similarly situated beneficial owners (a “class action”) to recover damages for violations of fiduciary duties, or on behalf
of a statutory trust (a “derivative action”) to recover damages from a third party where there has been a failure or refusal
to institute proceedings to recover such damages. In addition, beneficial owners may have the right, subject to certain legal requirements,
to bring class actions in federal court to enforce their rights under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder by the SEC. Beneficial owners who have suffered losses in connection with the purchase or sale of their beneficial interests
may be able to recover such losses from the Sponsor where the losses result from a violation by the Sponsor of the anti-fraud provisions
of the federal securities laws.
Under certain circumstances, shareholders also
have the right to institute a reparations proceeding before the CFTC against the Sponsor (a registered commodity pool operator), an FCM,
as well as those of their respective employees who are required to be registered under the CEA, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. Private rights of action are conferred by the CEA. Investors in futures and in commodity pools may, therefore, invoke the
protections provided thereunder.
The foregoing summary describing in general terms
the remedies available to shareholders under federal law is based on statutes, rules and decisions as of the date of this Prospectus.
As this is a rapidly developing and changing area of the law, shareholders who believe that they may have a legal cause of action against
any of the foregoing parties should consult their own counsel as to their evaluation of the status of the applicable law at such time.
Code of Ethics
The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (“Code
of Ethics”) that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. A copy of the Code of Ethics can be
obtained, without charge, upon written request to the Sponsor at the following address: VolatilityShares LLC, Attn: Chief Compliance
Officer, 2000 PGA Boulevard, Suite 4440, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408.
32
The Commodity Sub-Adviser
Penserra Capital (the “Commodity Sub-Adviser”),
with its principal office at 4 Orinda Way, suite 100-a, Orinda, CA. 94563, serves as the Funds’ Commodity Sub-Adviser pursuant
to a commodity sub-advisory agreement (the “Commodity Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Prior to November 1, 2022, Milliman FRM served
as the Funds’ commodity sub-adviser.
The Commodity Sub-Adviser formed in July 2009.
It provides investment advisory services, specializing in ETF sub-advisory serves. The Commodity Sub-Adviser became an NFA member on
September 20, 2022 and a registered commodity trading adviser on September 20, 2022. Previously, it was an NFA member from March 29,
2017 through May 19, 2018, when its membership was withdrawn, and was a commodity trading advisor from April 13, 2017 through May 19,
2018, when its registration was withdrawn.
The Commodity Sub-Adviser also provides services
as an investment adviser or sub-adviser or CTA, to mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts (“UITs”),
funds offered through bank collective investment trusts (“CITs”), and other exchange-traded products (“ETPs”).
The strategy exercised for each product is designed to meet a particular investment goal. In the case of sub-advisory services, the primary
adviser to the fund is usually responsible for the selection of underlying investments for the fund, and the Commodity Sub-Adviser manages
strategies for the various funds’ assets based on the investment goals and objectives as outlined in each of the funds’ offering
documents.
As of December 31, 2024, the Commodity Sub-Adviser
no longer manages the Funds’ assets. The Commodity Sub-Adviser was paid by the Sponsor an annual sub-advisory fee of 0.20% based
on each Fund’s average daily net assets (total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities). The Funds did not
directly pay the Commodity Sub-Adviser.
As of September 16, 2024 (the “ Effective
Date” ), the Sponsor began providing day-to-day portfolio management services to the Funds. Consistent therewith, the Sponsor
has terminated Penserra Capital Management LLC as commodity sub-adviser to the Funds and the Commodity Sub-Advisory Agreement by and
between the Sponsor and Penserra Capital Management LLC, also as of the Effective Date.
The following is a biographical summary of the
business experience of the principals of the Commodity Sub-Adviser. Each of the principals listed below participate in making trading
or operational decisions for the Funds or supervise persons engaged in making trading or operational decisions for the Funds.
Anthony Castelli joined
the Commodity Sub-Adviser in August 2011 and has served as Chief Compliance Officer since August 2011. In that role, he oversees compliance
and risk operations for Commodity Sub-Adviser. Mr. Kelkar was approved as a principal on September 9, 2022.
Dustin Allen Lewellyn
joined the Commodity Sub-Adviser in September 2014 as a Managing Director. In that role he oversees equity and commodity interest
trading. Mr. Lewellyn was approved as a principal on September 9, 2022.
George Madrigal joined the Commodity Sub-Adviser
in August 2009 as President and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, he manages and oversees the operations of the Commodity Sub-Adviser.
He also has served as President of Penserra Securities LLC since December 2007. Mr. Madrigal was approved as a principal on September
9, 2022.
Lee Wilson Geiger joined the Commodity
Sub-Adviser in September 2014 as a Managing Director. In that role, he oversees equity and commodity interest trading. Mr. Lewellyn was
approved as a principal on August 29, 2022, became registered as an associated person on September 20, 2022, and was approved as an NFA
associate member on September 20, 2022.
33
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The Funds have no employees or directors and are
managed by the Sponsor. None of the officers of the Trust, or the members or officers of the Sponsor receive compensation from the Funds.
SVIX pays the Sponsor a management fee (the “Management
Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.35% per annum of its average daily net assets. UVIX pays the Sponsor a Management
Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.65% per annum of its average daily net assets. “Average daily net assets”
is calculated by dividing the month-end net assets of each Fund by the number of calendar days in such month.
No other Management Fee is paid by the Funds.
The Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s trading advisory services and the other services provided to the Fund
that the Sponsor pays directly.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and December
31, 2023, the following represents Management Fees earned by the Sponsor:
Amount
Year Ended December 31,
Fund
2024
2023
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 3,149,545
$ 1,180,598
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
1,833,654
1,618,811
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
and Related Stockholder Matters.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
Not applicable.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
(1)
to (4). Fees for services
performed by Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP (“Tait Weller”) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for the years ended December
31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
Audit Fees
$ 18,037
$ 18,002
Tax Fees
197,759
111,420
$ 215,796
$ 129,422
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Audit Fees
$ 18,037
$ 18,002
Tax Fees
405,492
109,825
$ 423,529
$ 127,827
Combined Trust:
$ 639,325
$ 257,249
Audit fees for the year ended December 31, 2024
and December 31, 2023 consist of fees paid to Tait Weller for the audit of the Funds’ December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 annual
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, for the
review of the financial statements included in each Form 10-Q, and for the audits of financial statements included with registration
statements. Tax fees include certain tax compliance and reporting services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) to
the Trust, including processing beneficial ownership information as it relates to the preparation of tax reporting packages and the subsequent
delivery of related information to the IRS. Services also include assistance with tax reporting and related information using a web-based
tax package product developed by PwC and a toll-free tax package support help line.
(5)
The Sponsor approved all of the services provided by
Tait Weller and PwC described above. The Sponsor pre-approves all audit and allowed non- audit services of the Trust’s independent
registered public accounting firm, including all engagement fees and terms.
34
Part IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statement Schedules
See the Index to Financial Statements for a list
of the financial statements being filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Schedules may have been omitted since they are either
not required, not applicable, or the information has otherwise been included.
Exhibit
No.
Description
of Document
3.1*
Restated
Certificate of Trust
4.1**
Trust
Agreement
4.2**
Form
of Authorized Participant Agreement
4.3****
Description of Shares
10.1**
Form
of Sponsor Agreement
10.2**
Form
of Transfer Agency Services Agreement
10.3**
Form
of Custodian Agreement
10.4**
Form
of Marketing Agent Agreement
10.5**
Form
of Futures Account Agreement
10.6**
Form
of Administration Servicing Agreement
10.7**
Form
of Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement
10.8**
Form
of Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement
10.9***
Commodity
Sub-Advisory Agreement
31.1****
Certification by Principal Executive Officer of the Trust Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2****
Certification by Principal Financial Officer of the Trust Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
32.1****
Certification by Principal Executive Officer of the Trust Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2****
Certification by Principal Financial Officer of the Trust Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
97.1****
Policy Relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
101.INS****
Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH****
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Document.
101.CAL****
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Document.
101.DEF****
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
Document.
101.LAB****
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE****
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Document.
104 ****
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline
XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*
Incorporated by reference
to the Trust’s Registration Statement, filed on January 6, 2022.
**
Incorporated by reference
to the Trust’s Registration Statement, filed on August 26, 2020
***
Incorporated by reference
to the Trust’s Registration Statement, filed on September, 26, 2022.
****
Included herewith.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
35
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
VS TRUST
/s/
Justin Young
By:
Justin Young
Principal Executive Officer
Date: March 28, 2025
/s/
Justin Young
By:
Justin Young
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Date: March 28, 2025
36
VS TRUST
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2024
and December 31, 2023
Index
Documents Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB number: 238 ) F-2
Statements of Financial Condition, Schedule of Investments, Statements of Operations, Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Statements of Cash Flows: F-3 - F-6
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF F-7
2x Long VIX Futures ETF F-11
Combined VS Trust F-15
Notes to Financial Statements F-23
F- 1
taitweller.com
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To Management of the Trust’s Sponsor of
VS Trust
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined statements
of assets and liabilities of VS Trust as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related combined statements of operations, changes in
net assets, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “combined
financial statements”). In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the combined
financial position of the Trust as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of their combined operations, combined changes in net
assets, and combined cash flows for the periods stated above, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America
We have also audited the accompanying statements
of assets and liabilities of -1x Short VIX Futures ETF and 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (the “Funds”), each a series of VS Trust,
including the schedules of investments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets,
cash flows and the financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to
as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Funds as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of their operations, changes in net assets, cash flows and financial
highlights for the periods stated above, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These combined financial statements and financial
statements are the responsibility of the management of the Trust’s sponsor. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Trust’s
combined financial statements and the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect
to the Trust and the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We have served as the auditor of the Trust and the Funds since 2022.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined
financial statements and financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust and the Funds
are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our
audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s and Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express
no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the combined financial statements and financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures
in the combined financial statements and financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined financial statements and financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2024 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 28, 2025
F- 2
VS Trust
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
-1x
Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x
Long VIX
Futures ETF
-1x
Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x
Long VIX
Futures ETF
December
31,
2024
December
31,
2024
December
31,
2023
December
31,
2023
ASSETS
Cash
$ -
$ 1,189,437
$ 5,032,398
$ -
Investments
in securities, at value *
114,106,682
52,819,184
14,917,099
8,009,153
Interest
receivable
595,610
383,703
117,866
58,172
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
13,472
52,844
16,781
31,493
Deposits
at Broker for Futures and Options Contracts
206,471,251
130,007,592
115,003,174
61,750,311
Variation
margin receivable
-
4,152,478
-
148,593
Other
receivable
4,952
-
2,839
-
Total
Assets
321,191,967
188,605,238
135,090,157
69,997,722
LIABILITIES
Payables
Variation
margin payable
3,655,035
-
204,703
-
Fund
shares redeemed
16,505,580
-
9,447,400
-
Management
fees payable
350,201
318,004
147,790
106,270
Administrative,
accounting and custodian fees payable
69,969
16,395
28,065
25,429
Professional
fees payable
313,037
444,580
154,412
133,724
Licensing
and registration fees payable
174,322
115,000
50,368
67,303
Total
Liabilities
21,068,144
893,979
10,032,738
332,726
NET
ASSETS
$ 300,123,823
$ 187,711,259
$ 125,057,419
$ 69,664,996
NET
ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in
capital
$ 173,281,568
$ 574,080,151
$ 4,558,124
$ 424,281,739
Total
distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
126,842,255
( 386,368,892 )
120,499,295
( 354,616,743 )
Net
Assets
$ 300,123,823
$ 187,711,259
$ 125,057,419
$ 69,664,996
Net
Asset Value (unlimited shares authorized):
Class
I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net
Assets
$ 300,123,823
$ 187,711,259
$ 125,057,419
$ 69,664,996
Shares
Outstanding^
11,820,000
5,531,498 (1)
3,310,000
507,498 (2)
Net
Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share
$ 25.39
$ 33.93 (1)
$ 37.78
$ 137.27 (2)
Market
Value per Share
$ 25.37
$ 34.00 (1)
$ 37.73
$ 137.30 (2)
*
Investments in securities, at cost
$ 113,974,059
$ 52,819,184
$ 15,728,432
$ 8,009,153
^ No Par Value
(1) Adjusted to reflect a 1:10 reverse stock split occurring on January 15, 2025, as if it occurred at the commencement of operations.
(2) Adjusted
to reflect a 1:5 reverse stock split on January 25, 2023, a 1:10 reverse stock split on October 11, 2023, and a 1:10 reverse stock split
on January 15, 2025, as if they occurred at the commencement of operations.
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 3
VS Trust
Statements of Operations
-1x Short VIX
Futures
ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
-1x Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
For the year
ended
For the year
ended
For the year
ended
For the year
ended
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2023
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends
$ 623
$ 462
$ -
$ -
Interest income
4,872,443
2,045,886
521,465
967,916
Total Income
4,873,066
2,046,348
521,465
967,916
Expenses:
Management fees
3,149,545
1,833,654
1,180,598
1,618,811
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
228,761
148,419
111,470
117,864
Professional fees
357,241
552,720
323,667
323,138
Licensing and registration fees
152,993
84,511
73,386
78,715
Broker interest expense
47,307
-
33,299
3,834
Total Expenses
3,935,847
2,619,304
1,722,420
2,142,362
Net Investment income (loss)
937,219
( 572,956 )
( 1,200,955 )
( 1,174,446 )
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Futures
24,472,687
( 47,624,517 )
99,437,238
( 276,774,495 )
Options
( 8,015,082 )
-
( 742,711 )
-
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Futures
( 11,995,820 )
16,445,324
6,824,578
1,025,904
Options
943,956
-
( 811,333 )
-
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
5,405,741
( 31,179,193 )
104,707,772
( 275,748,591 )
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ 6,342,960
$ ( 31,752,149 )
$ 103,506,817
$ ( 276,923,037 )
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 4
VS Trust
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
For the year ended
For the year ended
For the year ended
For the year ended
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2023
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)
$ 937,219
$ ( 572,956 )
$ ( 1,200,955 )
$ ( 1,174,446 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
16,457,605
( 47,624,517 )
98,694,527
( 276,774,495 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and futures contracts
( 11,051,864 )
16,445,324
6,013,245
1,025,904
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
6,342,960
( 31,752,149 )
103,506,817
( 276,923,037 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
828,649,566
742,224,982
282,198,849
469,583,438
Shares redeemed
( 659,926,122 )
( 592,426,570 )
( 307,026,850 )
( 248,484,171 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
168,723,444
149,798,412
( 24,828,001 )
221,099,267
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
175,066,404
118,046,263
78,678,816
( 55,823,770 )
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Period
125,057,419
69,664,996
46,378,603
125,488,766
End of Period
$ 300,123,823
$ 187,711,259
$ 125,057,419
$ 69,664,996
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 5
VS Trust
Statements of Cash Flows
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Year Ended
Year Ended
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2023
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ 6,342,960
$ ( 31,752,149 )
$ 103,506,817
$ ( 276,923,037 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 1,049,664,730 )
( 675,548,842 )
( 536,234,321 )
( 556,160,309 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
943,404,021
630,738,811
519,763,178
556,401,441
Net realized gain/loss on investments in options
8,015,082
-
742,711
-
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments in options
( 943,956 )
-
811,333
-
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures and option contracts
( 91,468,077 )
( 68,257,281 )
( 66,858,620 )
53,070,961
Decrease (Increase) in Variation margin receivable
-
( 4,003,885 )
-
682,247
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
3,309
( 21,351 )
( 6,486 )
( 15,827 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 477,744 )
( 325,531 )
( 104,957 )
( 7,689 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivable
( 2,113 )
-
( 2,268 )
579
Increase (Decrease) in Variation margin payable
3,450,332
-
17,673
-
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
202,411
211,734
93,416
( 70,568 )
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
41,904
( 9,034 )
12,196
5,472
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
158,625
310,856
29,138
( 69,687 )
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
123,954
47,697
41,607
56,122
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 180,814,022 )
( 148,608,975 )
21,811,417
( 223,030,295 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of receivable for shares sold
828,649,566
742,224,982
282,198,849
471,514,466
Cost of shares redeemed, net of payable for shares redeemed
( 652,867,942 )
( 592,426,570 )
( 299,482,468 )
( 248,484,171 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
175,781,624
149,798,412
( 17,283,619 )
223,030,295
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
( 5,032,398 )
1,189,437
4,527,798
-
Beginning of Period
5,032,398
-
504,600
-
End of Period
$ -
$ 1,189,437
$ 5,032,398
$ -
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 6
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2024
Notional Amount Contracts Value
PURCHASED OPTIONS - 0.5%
Call Options - 0.5%
CBOE Volatility Index, Expiration: 02/19/2025 ; Exercise Price: $ 28.00 (a)(b) $ 24,290,000 14,000 $ 1,484,000
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $ 1,351,377 ) 1,484,000
Shares
Value
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 37.5%
Money Market Funds - 37.5%
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 4.41 % (c)(d)
112,622,682
112,622,682
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $ 112,622,682 )
112,622,682
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 38.0 % (Cost $ 113,974,059 )
114,106,682
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 62.0 % (e)
186,017,141
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 300,123,823
Percentages are stated as
a percent of net assets.
(a) Exchange-traded.
(b) 100 shares per contract.
(c) The rate shown represents the 7-day annualized effective yield as of December 31, 2024.
(d) Fair value of this security exceeds 25% of the Fund’s net assets. Additional information for this security, including the financial statements, is available from the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
(e) Includes cash of $206,471,251 that is pledged as collateral for options and futures contracts.
F- 7
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Futures Contracts
December 31, 2024
Description Contracts
Sold Expiration
Date Notional
Value Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURE Feb25 ( 6,959 ) 02/19/2025 $ 124,496,510 $ ( 919,561 )
CBOE VIX FUTURE Jan25 ( 10,051 ) 01/22/2025 175,691,480 ( 4,427,348 )
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) $ ( 5,346,909 )
Summary of Fair Value Disclosure as of December
31, 2024
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF has adopted authoritative
fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair
value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements
of fair value, a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period, and expanded disclosure of valuation
levels for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below. The inputs or methodology used for
valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted
prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted
prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit
risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions
a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The following is a summary of the fair valuation
hierarchy of the Fund’s securities as of December 31, 2024:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Investments:
Purchased Options
$ 1,484,000
$ –
$ –
$ 1,484,000
Money Market Funds
112,622,682
–
–
112,622,682
Total Investments
$ 114,106,682
$ –
$ –
$ 114,106,682
Liabilities:
Other Financial Instruments:
Futures Contracts*
–
( 5,346,909 )
–
( 5,346,909 )
Total Other Financial Instruments
$ –
$ ( 5,346,909 )
$ –
$ ( 5,346,909 )
* The
fair value of the Fund’s investment represents the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as of December 31, 2024.
Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further disaggregation of investment categories.
F- 8
-1x
Short VIX Futures ETF
Schedule
of Investments
December
31, 2023
Notional Amount Contracts Value
PURCHASED OPTIONS - 0.29%
Call Options - 0.29%
CBOE VIX, Expiration: 01/17/2024 ; Exercise Price: $ 26 .00 $ 29,880,000 24,000 $ 360,000
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $ 1,171,333 ) 360,000
Shares
Value
SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS – 11.64%
Money
Market Funds – 11.64%
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.28 % (a)
14,557,099
14,557,099
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $ 14,557,099 )
14,557,099
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 11.93 % (Cost $ 15,728,432 )
14,917,099
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 88.07 % (b)
110,140,320
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%
$ 125,057,419
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
(a) Represents annualized seven-day yield at December 31, 2023.
(b) $115,003,174 of cash is pledged as collateral for options and futures contracts.
F- 9
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Futures Contracts
December 31, 2023
Description Contracts
Sold Expiration
Date Notional
Value Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURE Jan24 ( 5,055 ) 01/17/2024 $ 70,972,200 $ 5,749,910
CBOE VIX FUTURE Feb24 ( 10,051 ) 02/14/2024 54,096,020 2,230,774
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) $ 7,980,694
Summary of Fair Value Disclosure as of December
31, 2023
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF has adopted authoritative
fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.
These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair
value, a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period, and expanded disclosure of valuation levels
for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below. The inputs or methodology used for valuing
securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted
prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted
prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk,
yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions
a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The following is a summary of the fair valuation
hierarchy of the Fund’s securities as of December 31, 2023:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Investments:
Purchased Options
$ 360,000
$ –
$ –
$ 360,000
Money Market Funds
14,557,099
–
–
14,557,099
Total Investments
$ 14,917,099
$ –
$ –
$ 14,917,099
Other Financial Instruments:
Futures Contracts*
–
7,980,694
–
7,980,694
Total Other Financial Instruments
$ –
$ 7,980,694
$ –
$ 7,980,694
* The fair value of the Fund’s investment represents the net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) as of December 31, 2023.
Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further disaggregation of
investment categories.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 10
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2024
Shares
Value
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 28.1%
Money Market Funds - 28.1%
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 4.41 % (a)(b)
52,819,184
$ 52,819,184
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $ 52,819,184 )
52,819,184
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 28.1 % (Cost $ 52,819,184 )
52,819,184
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 71.9 % (c)
134,892,075
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 187,711,259
Percentages
are stated as a percent of net assets.
(a) The rate shown represents the 7-day annualized effective yield as of December 31, 2024.
(b) Fair value of this security exceeds 25% of the Fund’s net assets. Additional information for this security, including the financial statements, is available from the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
(c) Includes cash of $130,007,592 that is pledged as collateral for futures contracts.
F- 11
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Futures Contracts
December 31, 2024
Description Contracts
Purchased Expiration
Date Notional
Value Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURE Feb25 8,706 02/19/2025 $ 155,750,340 $ ( 984,305 )
CBOE VIX FUTURE Jan25 12,575 01/22/2025 219,811,000 9,252,011
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) $ 8,267,706
Summary of Fair Value Disclosure as of December 31, 2024
2x Long VIX Futures ETF has adopted authoritative
fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair
value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements
of fair value, a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period, and expanded disclosure of valuation
levels for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below. The inputs or methodology used for
valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted
prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted
prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit
risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions
a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The following is a summary of the fair valuation hierarchy of
the Fund’s securities as of December 31, 2024:
Level
1
Level
2
Level
3
Total
Assets:
Investments:
Money
Market Funds
$ 52,819,184
$ –
$ –
$ 52,819,184
Total Investments
$ 52,819,184
$ –
$ –
$ 52,819,184
Other Financial
Instruments:
Futures
Contracts*
–
9,252,011
–
9,252,011
Total Other Financial
Instruments
$ –
$ 9,252,011
$ –
$ 9,252,011
Liabilities:
Other Financial
Instruments:
Futures
Contracts*
–
( 984,305 )
–
( 984,305 )
Total Other Financial
Instruments
$ –
$ ( 984,305 )
$ –
$ ( 984,305 )
* The fair value of the Fund’s investment represents the net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) as of December 31, 2024.
Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further disaggregation of investment categories.
F- 12
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2023
Shares
Value
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 11.50%
Money Market Funds – 11.50%
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.28 % (a)
8,009,153
$ 8,009,153
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $ 8,009,153 )
8,009,153
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 11.50 % (Cost $ 8,009,153 )
8,009,153
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 88.50 % (b)
61,655,843
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0 %
$ 69,664,996
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.
(a) Represents annualized seven-day yield at December 31, 2023.
(b) $61,750,311 of cash is pledged as collateral for futures contracts.
F- 13
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Schedule of Futures Contracts
December 31, 2023
Description Contracts
Purchased Expiration
Date Notional
Value Value / Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CBOE VIX FUTURE Jan24 5,633 01/17/2024 $ 79,087,320 $ ( 5,616,125 )
CBOE VIX FUTURE Feb24 3,943 02/14/2024 60,288,470 ( 2,561,493 )
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) $ ( 8,177,618 )
Summary of Fair Value Disclosure as of December
31, 2023
2x Long VIX Futures ETF has adopted authoritative
fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.
These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair
value, a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period, and expanded disclosure of valuation levels
for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below. The inputs or methodology used for valuing
securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted
prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted
prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk,
yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions
a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The following is a summary of the fair valuation
hierarchy of the Fund’s securities as of December 31, 2023:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Investments:
Money Market Funds
$ 8,009,153
$ –
$ –
$ 8,009,153
Total Investments
$ 8,009,153
$ –
$ –
$ 8,009,153
Liabilities:
Other Financial Instruments:
Futures Contracts*
–
( 8,177,618 )
–
( 8,177,618 )
Total Other Financial Instruments
$ –
$ ( 8,177,618 )
$ –
$ ( 8,177,618 )
* The fair value of the Fund’s investment represents the net unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) as of December 31, 2023.
Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further disaggregation of
investment categories.
F- 14
VS Trust
Combined
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December
31, 2024
ASSETS
Cash
$ 1,189,437
Investments in securities, at value *
166,925,866
Interest receivable
979,313
Prepaid expenses and other assets
66,316
Receivable for shares sold
336,478,843
Variation margin receivable
4,152,478
Other receivable
4,952
Total Assets
509,797,205
LIABILITIES
Payables
Variation margin payable
3,655,035
Fund shares redeemed
16,505,580
Management fees payable
668,205
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
86,364
Professional fees payable
757,617
Licensing and registration fees payable
289,322
Total Liabilities
21,962,123
NET ASSETS
$ 487,835,082
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital
$ 747,361,719
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
( 259,526,637 )
Net Assets
$ 487,835,082
NET ASSET VALUE:
Class I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net Assets
$ 487,835,082
Shares Outstanding^
17,351,498
* Investments in securities, at cost
$ 166,793,243
^ No Par Value
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 15
VS Trust
C ombined Statement of Assets
and Liabilities (1)
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash
$ 5,032,398
Investments in securities, at value *
22,926,252
Interest receivable
176,038
Prepaid expenses and other assets
48,274
Deposits at Broker for Futures and Options Contracts
176,753,485
Variation margin receivable
148,593
Other receivable
2,839
Total Assets
$ 205,087,879
LIABILITIES
Payables
Variation margin payable
$ 204,703
Fund shares redeemed
9,447,400
Management fees payable
254,060
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
53,494
Professional fees payable
288,136
Licensing and registration fees payable
117,671
Total Liabilities
10,365,464
NET ASSETS
$ 194,722,415
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital
$ 428,839,863
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)
( 234,117,448 )
Net Assets
$ 194,722,415
NET ASSET VALUE:
Class I (unlimited shares authorized):
Net Assets
$ 194,722,415
Shares Outstanding^
3,817,498
* Investments in securities, at cost
$ 23,737,585
^ No Par Value
(1) The Fund commenced operations on March 28, 2022.
See accompanying notes to the
financial statements.
F- 16
VS Trust
Combined
Statement of Operations
For
The Year Ended December 31, 2024
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends
$ 1,085
Interest income
6,918,329
Total Income
6,919,414
Expenses:
Management fees
4,983,199
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
377,180
Professional fees
909,961
Licensing and registration fees
237,504
Broker interest expense
47,307
Total Expenses
6,555,151
Net Investment loss
364,263
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Futures
( 23,151,830 )
Options
( 8,015,082 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Futures
4,449,504
Options
943,956
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 25,773,452 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ ( 25,409,189 )
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 17
VS Trust
Combined Statement
of Operations
For The Year Ended December 31, 2023
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Interest income
$ 1,489,381
Total Income
1,489,381
Expenses:
Management fees
2,799,409
Administrative, accounting and custodian fees
229,334
Professional fees
646,805
Licensing and registration fees
152,101
Broker interest expense
37,133
Total Expenses
3,864,782
Net Investment loss
( 2,375,401 )
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Options
( 742,711 )
Futures
( 177,337,257 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Options
( 811,333 )
Futures
7,850,482
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 171,040,819 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$ ( 173,416,220 )
See accompanying notes to financial
statements.
F- 18
VS Trust
Combined
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
For
The Year Ended December 31, 2024
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss
$ 364,263
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 31,166,912 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and futures contracts
5,393,460
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
( 25,409,189 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
1,570,874,548
Shares redeemed
( 1,252,352,692 )
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions
318,521,856
Total increase in net assets
$ 293,112,667
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Year
$ 194,722,415
End of Year
$ 487,835,082
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 19
VS Trust
Combined Statement of Changes
in Net Assets
For The Year Ended December 31, 2023
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss
$ ( 2,375,401 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts
( 178,079,968 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and futures contracts
7,039,149
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
( 173,416,220 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares sold
751,782,287
Shares redeemed
( 555,511,021 )
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions
196,271,266
Total increase in net assets
22,855,046
NET ASSETS
Beginning of Year
171,867,369
End of Year
$ 194,722,415
See accompanying notes to
the financial statements.
F- 20
VS Trust
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
For The Year Ended December 31, 2024
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ ( 25,409,189 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 1,725,213,572 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
1,574,142,832
Net realized gain/loss on investments held
8,015,082
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments in options
( 943,956 )
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures and option contracts
( 159,725,358 )
Decrease (Increase) in Variation margin receivable
( 4,003,885 )
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 18,042 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 803,275 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivables
( 2,113 )
Increase (Decrease) in Variation margin payable
3,450,332
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
414,145
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
32,870
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
469,481
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
171,651
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 329,422,997 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of cost from shares purchased
1,570,874,548
Cost of shares redeemed
( 1,245,294,512 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
325,580,036
NET INCREASE IN CASH
( 3,842,961 )
Beginning of Year
$ 5,032,398
End of Year
$ 1,189,437
See
accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 21
VS Trust
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
For The Year Ended December 31, 2023
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$ ( 173,416,220 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Purchase of investments
( 1,092,394,630 )
Proceeds from sales or maturities of investments held
1,076,164,619
Net realized gain/loss on investments held
742,711
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments in options
811,333
Decrease (Increase) in Deposits at broker for futures and option contracts
( 13,787,659 )
Decrease (Increase) in Variation margin receivable
682,247
Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 22,313 )
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable
( 112,646 )
Decrease (Increase) in other receivables
( 1,689 )
Increase (Decrease) in Variation margin payable
17,673
Increase (Decrease) in Payable to Sponsor
22,848
Increase (Decrease) in Administrative, accounting and custodian fees payable
17,668
Increase (Decrease) in Professional fees payable
( 40,549 )
Increase (Decrease) in Licensing and registration fees payable
97,729
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 201,218,878 )
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from shares sold, net of cost from shares purchased
753,713,315
Cost of shares redeemed
( 547,966,639 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
205,746,676
NET INCREASE IN CASH
4,527,798
Beginning of Year
$ 504,600
End of Year
$ 5,032,398
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F- 22
VS Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2024
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
VS Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware
statutory trust formed on October 24, 2019 and is currently organized into separate series (each, a “Fund” and collectively,
the “Funds”). As of December 31, 2024, the following two series of the Trust have commenced investment operations: -1x Short
VIX Futures ETF (“SVIX”) and 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (“UVIX”). Each of the Funds listed above issues common units
of beneficial interest (“Shares”), which represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of
only that Fund. The Shares of each Fund are listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange (“Cboe BZX”).
The Funds’ inception of operation was March
28, 2022. Neither the Trust nor the Funds had any operations prior to March 28, 2022, other than matters relating to its organization
and the registration of each series under the Securities Act of 1933.
Each Fund’s investment exposure to VIX
futures contracts will cause each to be deemed a commodity pool, thereby subjecting each Fund to regulation under the Commodity Exchange
Act of 1934 (“CEA”) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) rules. The Sponsor is registered as a Commodity
Pool Operator (“CPO”) and the Fund will be operated in accordance with applicable CFTC rules. Registration as a CPO imposes
additional compliance obligations on the Sponsor and the Funds related to additional laws, regulations and enforcement policies, which
could increase compliance costs and may affect the operations and financial performance of the Funds.
Volatility Shares LLC (the “Sponsor”)
is the sponsor of the Trust and the Funds. The Sponsor also will serve as the Trust’s commodity pool operator. The Funds are commodity
pools, as defined under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and the applicable regulations of the CFTC and are operated
by the Sponsor, which is registered as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC. The Trust is not an investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940.
On January 11, 2023, the Trust’s Sponsor announced a one-for-five
reverse share split for shares of the 2x Long VIX Futures ETF, effective after the close of business on January 24, 2023. On January 25,
2023, shareholders will be deemed to hold one Fund share for every five Fund shares previously held as of the close of business on January
24, 2023. The reverse share split did not change the total value of the shareholders’ investments in the Fund. This reverse share
split is reflected in the financial statements.
On September 22, 2023, the Trust’s Sponsor announced a one-for-ten
reverse share split for shares of the 2x Long VIX Futures ETF, effective after the close of business on October 10, 2023. On October 11,
2023, shareholders will be deemed to hold one Fund share for every ten Fund shares previously held as of the close of business on October
10, 2023. The reverse share split did not change the total value of the shareholders’ investments in the Fund. This reverse share
split is reflected in the financial statements.
On December 31, 2024, the Trust’s Sponsor announced a one-for-ten
reverse share split for shares of the 2x Long VIX Futures ETF, effective after the close of business on January 14, 2025. On January 15,
2025, shareholders will be deemed to hold one Fund share for every ten Fund shares previously held as of the close of business on January
14, 2025. The reverse share split did not change the total value of the shareholders’ investments in the Fund. This reverse share
split is reflected in the financial statements.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Each Fund is an investment company, as defined
by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 “Financial
Services — Investment Companies.” As such, the Funds follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by each Fund, as applicable, in preparation of its financial statements.
These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The accompanying unaudited financial statements
were prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-K and the rules and regulations
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all material adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim period financial statements have been
made. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full-year period.
F- 23
Emerging growth company
The Trust is an “emerging growth company,”
as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. It will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the
beginning of the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of its initial public offering, (2) the beginning of the first fiscal
year after annual gross revenue is $ 1.235 billion (subject to adjustment for inflation) or more, (3) the date on which the Fund has,
during the previous three-year period, issued more than $ 1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities and (4) as of the end of any
fiscal year in which the market value of common equity held by non-affiliates exceeded $ 700 million as of the end of the second quarter
of that fiscal year.
For as long as the Trust remains an “emerging
growth company,” it may take advantage of certain exemptions from the various reporting requirements that are applicable to public
companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor
attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and
financial statements in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory
vote to approve executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. The Trust will
take advantage of these reporting exemptions until it is no longer an “emerging growth company.”
Use of Estimates & Indemnifications
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the normal course of business, the Trust enters
into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under
these arrangements cannot be known; however, the Trust expects any risk of loss to be remote.
Basis of Presentation
Pursuant to rules and regulations of the SEC,
these financial statements are presented for the Trust as a whole, as the SEC registrant, and for each Fund individually. The debts,
liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Fund shall be enforceable
only against the assets of such Fund and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other Fund. Accordingly, the assets of
each Fund of the Trust include only those funds and other assets that are paid to, held by or distributed to the Trust for the purchase
of Shares in that Fund.
Statements of Cash Flows
The cash amount shown in the Statements of Cash
Flows is the amount reported as cash in the Statements of Financial Condition dated December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and represents
cash but does not include short-term investments.
Final Net Asset Value for Fiscal Period
The cut-off times and the times of the calculation
of the Funds’ final net asset value for creation and redemption of fund Shares for the three months ended December 31, 2024 were
typically as follows. All times are Eastern Standard Time:
Fund Create/Redeem Cut-off*(EST) NAV
Calculation Time (EST) NAV
Calculation Date
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF and 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. December 31, 2024
2x Long VIX Futures ETF 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. December 31, 2024
* Although the Funds’ shares may continue to trade on secondary markets subsequent to the calculation of the final NAV, these times represent the final opportunity to transact in creation or redemption units for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Market value per Share is determined at the close
of Cboe BZX and may be later than when the Funds’ NAV per Share is calculated.
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds value
transactions based upon the final closing price in their primary markets. Accordingly, the investment valuations in these financial statements
may differ from those used in the calculation of certain of the Funds’ final creation/redemption NAV for the three months ended
December 31, 2023.
F- 24
Investment Valuation
Short-term investments are valued at amortized
cost which approximates fair value for daily NAV purposes. For financial reporting purposes, short- term investments are valued at their
market price using information provided by a third-party pricing service or market quotations. In each of these situations, valuations
are typically categorized as Level I in the fair value hierarchy.
VIX futures contracts are
valued using the Time Weighted Average Price (TWAP) of the futures during the last 15 minutes of NYSE’s regular trading session,
rather than solely from the VIX futures’ settlement price. The value of a Fund’s non-exchange-traded Financial Instruments
typically is determined by applying the then-current disseminated levels for the Index to the terms of the Fund’s non-exchange-traded
Financial Instruments.
In certain circumstances (e.g., if the Sponsor
believes market quotations do not accurately reflect the fair value of a Fund’s investment, or a trading halt closes an exchange
or market early), the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, choose to determine a fair value price as the basis for determining the market
value of such investment for such day. Such fair value prices would generally be determined based on available inputs about the current
value of the underlying VIX futures contract and would be based on principles that the Sponsor deems fair and equitable.
The Funds may use a variety of money market instruments.
Money market instruments generally will be valued using market prices or at amortized cost.
Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations
about the value of an investment. While the Funds’ policies are intended to result in a calculation of its respective Fund’s
NAV that fairly reflects investment values as of the time of pricing, such Fund cannot ensure that fair values determined by the Sponsor
or persons acting at their direction would accurately reflect the price that a Fund could obtain for an investment if it were to dispose
of that investment as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by such Fund may differ
from the value that would be realized if the investments were sold and the differences could be material to the financial statements.
Investment Transactions and Related Income
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade
date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on open contracts are reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition and changes in the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) between
periods are reflected in the Statements of Operations.
Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis
and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premium or discount, and is reflected as Interest Income in the Statement of Operations.
F- 25
Brokerage Commissions and Futures Account Fees
Each Fund pays its respective brokerage commissions,
including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other
transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities for each Fund’s investment in U.S. Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulated investments. The effects of trading spreads, financing costs/fees associated
with Financial Instruments, and costs relating to the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities or similar high credit quality short-term
fixed-income would also be borne by the Funds. Brokerage commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis (e.g.,
the first half is recognized when the contract is purchased (opened) and the second half is recognized when the transaction is closed).
Federal Income Tax
Each Fund is registered as a series of a Delaware
statutory trust and is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no Fund expects to incur U.S. federal
income tax liability; rather, each beneficial owner of a Fund’s Shares is required to take into account its allocable share of
its Fund’s income, gain, loss, deductions and other items for its Fund’s taxable year ending with or within the beneficial
owner’s taxable year.
Management of the Funds has reviewed all open
tax years and major jurisdictions (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable) and concluded
that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected
to be taken in future tax returns. The Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total
amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. On an ongoing basis, management monitors its
tax positions taken under the interpretation to determine if adjustments to conclusions are necessary based on factors including, but
not limited to, on-going analysis of tax law, regulation, and interpretations thereof.
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS
Short-Term Investments
The Funds may purchase U.S. Treasury Bills, agency
securities, and other high-credit quality short-term fixed income or similar securities with original maturities of one year or less.
A portion of these investments may be posted as collateral in connection with swap agreements, futures, and/or forward contracts.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
In seeking to achieve each Fund’s investment
objective, the Sponsor uses a mathematical approach to investing. Using this approach, the Sponsor determines the type, quantity and
mix of investment positions, including derivative positions, which the Sponsor believes in combination, should produce returns consistent
with a Fund’s objective.
All open derivative positions at period end are
reflected on each respective Fund’s Schedule of Investments. Certain Funds utilized a varying level of derivative instruments in
conjunction with investment securities in seeking to meet their investment objectives during the period. While the volume of open positions
may vary on a daily basis as each Fund transacts derivatives contracts in order to achieve the appropriate exposure to meet its investment
objective, the volume of these open positions relative to the net assets of each respective Fund at the date of this report is generally
representative of open positions throughout the reporting period.
Following is a description of the derivative
instruments used by the Funds during the reporting period, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument
type.
Futures Contracts
The Funds may enter into futures contracts to
gain exposure to changes in the value of, or as a substitute for investing directly in (or shorting), an underlying benchmark. A futures
contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept) the future delivery of a specified quantity and type of asset
at a specified time and place. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical
delivery of the underlying commodity, if applicable, or by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on
the same or linked exchange before the designated date of delivery, or by cash settlement at expiration of contract.
Upon entering into a futures contract, each Fund
is required to deposit and maintain as collateral at least such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is
affected. The initial margin is segregated as cash and/or securities balances with brokers for futures contracts, as disclosed in the
Statements of Financial Condition, and is restricted as to its use. The Funds that enter into futures contracts maintain collateral at
the broker in the form of cash and/or securities. Pursuant to the futures contract, each Fund generally agrees to receive from or pay
to the broker(s) an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the futures contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by each Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Each Fund will realize a gain or loss upon closing of
a futures transaction.
F- 26
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees,
elements of market risk (specifically exchange rate sensitivity, commodity price risk or equity market volatility risk) and exposure
to loss in excess of the amount of variation margin. The face or contract amounts reflect the extent of the total exposure each Fund
has in the particular classes of instruments. Additional risks associated with the use of futures contracts are imperfect correlation
between movements in the price of the futures contracts and the market value of the underlying Index or commodity and the possibility
of an illiquid market for a futures contract. With futures contracts, there is minimal but some counterparty risk to the Funds since
futures contracts are exchange-traded and the credit risk resides with the Funds’ clearing broker or clearinghouse itself. Many
futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day.
Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading
may be suspended for specified times during the trading day. Futures contracts prices could move to the limit for several consecutive
trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting a Fund
to substantial losses. If trading is not possible, or if a Fund determines not to close a futures position in anticipation of adverse
price movements, the Fund will be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. The risk the Fund will be unable to close
out a futures position will be minimized by entering into such transactions on a national exchange with an active and liquid secondary
market.
Option Contracts
An option is a contract that gives the buyer
the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specified quantity of a commodity or other instrument at a specific (or strike) price
within a specified period of time, regardless of the market price of that instrument. There are two types of options: calls and puts.
A call option conveys to the option buyer the right to purchase a particular futures contract at a stated price at any time during the
life of the option. A put option conveys to the option buyer the right to sell a particular futures contract at a stated price at any
time during the life of the option. Options written by a Fund may be wholly or partially covered (meaning that the Fund holds an offsetting
position) or uncovered. In the case of the purchase of an option, the risk of loss of an investor’s entire investment (i.e., the
premium paid plus transaction charges) reflects the nature of an option as a wasting asset that may become worthless when the option
expires. Where an option is written or granted (i.e., sold) uncovered, the seller may be liable to pay substantial additional margin,
and the risk of loss is unlimited, as the seller will be obligated to deliver, or take delivery of, an asset at a predetermined price
which may, upon exercise of the option, be significantly different from the market value.
When a Fund writes a call or put, an amount equal
to the premium received is recorded and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Premiums received
from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed
are added to the proceeds or offset against amounts paid on the underlying futures, swap or security transaction to determine the realized
gain (loss).
When a Fund purchases an option, the Fund pays
a premium which is included as an asset on the Statement of Financial Condition and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current
value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. The risk associated with purchasing
put and call options is limited to the premium paid. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to
the amounts paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain (loss) when the
underlying transaction is executed.
F- 27
Certain options transactions may subject the
writer (seller) to unlimited risk of loss in the event of an increase in the price of the contract to be purchased or delivered. The
value of a Fund’s options transactions, if any, will be affected by, among other things, changes in the value of a Fund’s
underlying benchmark relative to the strike price, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual and implied volatility of the Fund’s
underlying benchmark, and the remaining time until the options expire, or any combination thereof. The value of the options should not
be expected to increase or decrease at the same rate as the level of the Fund’s underlying benchmark, which may contribute to tracking
error. Options may be less liquid than certain other securities. A Fund’s ability to trade options will be dependent on the willingness
of counterparties to trade such options with the Fund. In a less liquid market for options, a Fund may have difficulty closing out certain
option positions at desired times and prices. A Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option
positions may expire worthless. Over-the-counter options generally are not assignable except by agreement between the parties concerned,
and no party or purchaser has any obligation to permit such assignments. The over-the-counter market for options is relatively illiquid,
particularly for relatively small transactions. The use of options transactions exposes a Fund to liquidity risk and counterparty credit
risk, and in certain circumstances may expose the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. The Funds may buy and sell options on futures contracts,
which may present even greater volatility and risk of loss.
The following table indicates the average volume when in use for the year ended December 31, 2024:
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Average notional value of purchased options contracts:
$ 40,945,769
$ -
The following table indicates the average volume
when in use for the year ended December 31, 2023:
-1x
Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x
Long VIX
Futures ETF
Average notional value of purchased
options contracts
$
33,997,000
$
-
There were no transactions in purchased option
contracts during the period ended December 31, 2022.
F- 28
Swap Agreements
The Funds may enter into swap agreements for
purposes of pursuing their investment objectives or as a substitute for investing directly in (or shorting) an underlying Index or to
create an economic hedge against a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts that have traditionally been entered into primarily
with institutional investors in over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets for a specified period, ranging from a day to more than
one year. However, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) provides for significant
reforms of the OTC derivative markets, including a requirement to execute certain swap transactions on a CFTC-regulated market and/or
to clear such transactions through a CFTC-regulated central clearing organization. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree
to exchange the returns earned or realized on a particular predetermined investment, instrument or Index in exchange for a fixed or floating
rate of return in respect of a predetermined notional amount. Transaction or commission costs are reflected in the benchmark level at
which the transaction is entered into. The gross returns to be exchanged are calculated with respect to a notional amount and the benchmark
returns to which the swap is linked. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of underlying instruments.
Generally, swap agreements entered into by the
Funds calculate and settle the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” with a single payment. Consequently,
each Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or
received under the agreement based on the relative values of such obligations (or rights) (the “net amount”). In a typical
swap agreement entered into by UVIX, the would be entitled to settlement payments in the event the level of the benchmark increases and
would be required to make payments to the swap counterparties in the event the level of the benchmark decreases, adjusted for any transaction
costs or trading spreads on the notional amount the Funds may pay. In a typical swap agreement entered into by SVIX, the Fund would be
required to make payments to the swap counterparties in the event the level of the benchmark increases and would be entitled to settlement
payments in the event the level of the benchmark decreases, adjusted for any transaction costs or trading spreads on the notional amount
the Funds may pay.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of each
Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each OTC swap agreement is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash
and/or securities having an aggregate value at least equal to such accrued excess is maintained for the benefit of the counterparty in
a segregated account by the Funds’ Custodian. The net amount of the excess, if any, of each Fund’s entitlements over its
obligations with respect to each OTC swap agreement is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash and/or securities having an aggregate
value at least equal to such accrued excess is maintained for the benefit of the Fund in a segregated account by a third party custodian.
Until a swap agreement is settled in cash, the gain or loss on the notional amount less any transaction costs or trading spreads payable
by each Fund on the notional amount are recorded as “unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap agreements” and, when
cash is exchanged, the gain or loss realized is recorded as “realized gains or losses on swap agreements.” Swap agreements
are generally valued at the last settled price of the benchmark referenced asset.
Swap agreements contain various conditions, events
of default, termination events, covenants and representations. The triggering of certain events or the default on certain terms of the
agreement could allow a party to terminate a transaction under the agreement and request immediate payment in an amount equal to the
net positions owed to the party under the agreement. This could cause a Fund to have to enter into a new transaction with the same counterparty,
enter into a transaction with a different counterparty or seek to achieve its investment objective through any number of different investments
or investment techniques.
Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees,
elements of market risk and exposure to loss in excess of the unrealized gain/loss reflected. The notional amounts reflect the extent
of the total investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement, which may exceed the NAV of each Fund. Additional risks associated
with the use of swap agreements are imperfect correlations between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying reference
Index and the inability of counterparties to perform. Each Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a
swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund will typically enter into swap agreements
only with major global financial institutions. The creditworthiness of each of the firms that is a party to a swap agreement is monitored
by the Sponsor. The Sponsor may use various techniques to minimize credit risk including early termination and payment, using different
counterparties, limiting the net amount due from any individual counterparty and generally requiring collateral to be posted by the counterparty
in an amount approximately equal to that owed to the Funds. Outstanding swap agreements contractually terminate within one month but
may be terminated without penalty by either party at any time. Upon termination, the Fund is obligated to pay or receive the “unrealized
appreciation or depreciation” amount.
F- 29
The Funds, as applicable, collateralize swap agreements
by segregating or designating cash and/or certain securities as indicated on the Statements of Financial Condition or Schedules of Investments.
As noted above, collateral posted in connection with OTC derivative transactions is held for the benefit of the counterparty in a segregated
tri-party account at the Custodian to protect the counterparty against non-payment by the Funds. The collateral held in this account
is restricted as to its use. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Funds will seek withdrawal of this collateral from the
segregated account and may incur certain costs in exercising its right with respect to the collateral. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt
or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Funds may experience significant delays in obtaining
any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganizational proceeding. The Funds may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery
in such circumstances.
The Funds remain subject to credit risk with respect
to the amount they expect to receive from counterparties. However, the Funds have sought to mitigate these risks in connection with OTC
swaps by generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market
daily, in an amount approximately equal to what the counterparty owes the Fund, subject to certain minimum thresholds. In the event of
a bankruptcy of a counterparty, such Fund will have direct access to the collateral received from the counterparty, generally as of the
day prior to the bankruptcy, because there is a one day time lag between the Fund’s request for collateral and the delivery of
such collateral. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above,
including the possible delays in recovering amounts as a result of bankruptcy proceedings.
The counterparty/credit risk for cleared derivative
transactions is generally lower than for OTC derivatives since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty
to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade
looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit
from daily marking- to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Fair values of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2024:
Statements of
Assets and
Liabilities Fair Value
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF Location Assets Liabilities
Purchased Option Contracts:
Index Investments, at value $ 1,484,000 $ -
Short Futures Contracts:
Index Unrealized
Depreciation*
-
( 5,346,909 )
Total fair values of derivative instruments $ 1,484,000 $ ( 5,346,909 )
2x Long VIX Futures ETF Assets Liabilities
Long Futures Contracts:
Index Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)* $ 9,252,011 $ ( 984,305 )
Total fair values of derivative instruments $ 9,252,011 $ ( 984,305 )
* Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts
as reported in the Schedule of Future Contracts. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Financial Condition
in receivable/payable on open futures.
F- 30
Statements of Operations
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations
for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF Purchased Short
Option Futures
Derivatives Contracts* Contracts Total
Index Contracts $ ( 8,015,082 ) $ 24,472,687 $ 16,457,605
Total $ ( 8,015,082 ) $ 24,472,687 $ 16,457,605
2x Long VIX Futures ETF Purchased Long
Option Futures
Derivatives Contracts* Contracts Total
Index Contracts $ -
$ ( 47,624,517 ) $ ( 47,624,517 )
Total $ -
$ ( 47,624,517 ) $ ( 47,624,517 )
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF Purchased Short
Option Futures
Derivatives Contracts** Contracts Total
Index Contracts $ 943,956 $ ( 11,995,820 ) ( 11,051,864 )
Total $ 943,956 $ ( 11,995,820 ) ( 11,051,864 )
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Purchased
Long
Option
Futures
Derivatives
Contracts**
Contracts
Total
Index Contracts
$ -
$ 16,445,324
$ 16,445,324
Total
$ -
$ 16,445,324
$ 16,445,324
* The amounts disclosed are included in the realized gain (loss)
on investments.
** The amounts disclosed are included in the change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on investments.
F- 31
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Fair values of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2023:
Statements of Assets Fair Value
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF and Liabilities Location Assets Liabilities
Purchased Option Contracts:
Index Investments, at value $ 360,000 $ -
Short Futures Contracts:
Index Unrealized Appreciation* 7,980,684 -
Total fair values of derivative instruments $ 8,340,684 $ -
2x Long VIX Futures ETF Assets Liabilities
Long Futures Contracts:
Index Unrealized Depreciation* $ -
$ ( 8,177,618 )
Total fair values of derivative instruments $ -
$ ( 8,177,618 )
* Includes
cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation
margin is reported within the Statements of Financial Condition in receivable/payable on open futures.
Statements of Operations
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations
for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on
Derivatives
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF Purchased Short
Option Futures
Derivatives Contracts* Contracts Total
Index Contracts $ ( 742,711 ) $ 99,437,238 $ 98,694,527
Total $ ( 742,711 ) $ 99,437,238 $ 98,694,527
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Purchased
Long
Option
Futures
Derivatives
Contracts*
Contracts
Total
Index Contracts
$ -
$ ( 276,774,495 )
$ ( 276,774,495 )
Total
$ -
$ ( 276,774,495 )
$ ( 276,774,495 )
Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) on
Derivatives
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
Purchased
Short
Option
Futures
Derivatives
Contracts**
Contracts
Total
Index Contracts
$ ( 811,333 )
6,824,578
$ 6,013,245
Total
$ ( 811,333 )
6,824,578
$ 6,013,245
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
Purchased
Long
Option
Futures
Derivatives
Contracts**
Contracts
Total
Index Contracts
$ -
$ 1,025,904
$ 1,025,904
Total
$ -
$ 1,025,904
$ 1,025,904
* The
amounts disclosed are included in the realized gain (loss) on investments.
** The
amounts disclosed are included in the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.
F- 32
The following table indicates the average volume when in use for the
year ended December 31, 2024:
-1x Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
Average notional value of long futures contracts:
$ -
$ 233,976,048
Average notional value of short futures contracts:
( 204,171,960 )
-
The following table indicates the average volume when in use for the
year ended December 31, 2023:
-1x Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
Average notional value of long futures contracts
$ -
$ 190,330,622
Average notional value of short futures contracts
( 85,223,472 )
-
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Each Fund is subject to master netting agreements
or similar arrangements that allow for amounts owed between each Fund and the counterparty to be netted upon an early termination. The
party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting
agreements or similar arrangements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. As described above, the Funds utilize
derivative instruments to achieve their investment objective during the year. The amounts shown in the Statements of Financial Condition
do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements or similar arrangements.
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do
not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Financial Condition.
The following table presents each Fund’s derivatives by investment type and by counterparty net of amounts available for offset
under a master netting agreement and the related collateral received or pledged by the Funds as of December 31, 2024 and December 31,
2023.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2024
Assets
Liabilities
Fund
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
presented
in the
Statements of Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Assets
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 3,655,035
$ -
$ 3,655,035
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
4,152,478
-
4,152,478
-
-
-
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2023
Assets
Liabilities
Fund
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
presented
in the Statements of
Financial Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Assets
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Gross
Amounts
Offset in
the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
Net
Amounts of
Liabilities
presented
in the
Statements
of Financial
Condition
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
204,703
$
-
$
204,703
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
148,593
-
148,593
-
-
-
Asset (Liability) amounts shown in the table below
represent amounts owed to (by) the Funds for the derivative-related investments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024. These amounts
may be collateralized by cash or financial instruments, segregated for the benefit of the Funds or the counterparties, depending on whether
the related contracts are in an appreciated or depreciated position at period end. Amounts shown in the column labeled “Net Amount”
represent the uncollateralized portions of these amounts at period end. These amounts may be un-collateralized due to timing differences
related to market movements or due to minimum thresholds for collateral movement, as further described above under the caption “Accounting
for Derivative Instruments”.
F- 33
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2024
Fund
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets /
(Liabilities)
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Financial Instruments
for the
Benefit
of (the Funds) /
the
Counterparties
Cash
Collateral for
the Benefit of
(the Funds) /
the
Counterparties
Net Amount
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ ( 3,655,035 )
$ -
$ -
$ ( 3,655,035 )
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
4,152,478
-
-
4,152,478
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2023
Fund
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets /
(Liabilities)
presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
Financial
Instruments
for
the Benefit
of (the Funds) /
the Counterparties
Cash
Collateral for
the Benefit of
(the Funds) /
the
Counterparties
Net Amount
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ ( 204,703 )
$ -
$ -
$ ( 204,703 )
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
148,593
-
-
148,593
NOTE 4 – AGREEMENTS
Management Fee
SVIX pays the Sponsor a management fee (the “Management
Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.35 % per annum of its average daily net assets. UVIX pays the Sponsor
a Management Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.65 % per annum of its average daily net assets. “Average daily
net assets” is calculated by dividing the month-end net assets of each Fund by the number of calendar days in such month.
No other Management Fee is paid by the Funds.
The Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s trading advisory services and the other services provided to the Fund
that the Sponsor pays directly.
Prior to September 16, 2024, Penserra Capital
Management LLC (“Penserra”) served as the Funds’ commodity sub-adviser. During the period in which Penserra served
as the commodity sub-adviser, the Sponsor oversaw and paid Penserra an annual sub-advisory fee of 0.20 % for its services as commodity
sub-adviser, based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities)
The Funds did not directly pay Penserra.
Non-Recurring Fees and Expenses
Each Fund pays all its non-recurring and unusual
fees and expenses, if any, as determined by the Sponsor. Non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses are fees and expenses that are unexpected
or unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other material expenses which are
not currently anticipated obligations of the Funds.
The Administrator, Transfer Agent and Custodian
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business
as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), an indirect subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, serves as the Fund’s fund
accountant, administrator and transfer agent pursuant to certain fund accounting servicing, fund administration servicing and transfer
agent servicing agreements. U.S. Bank National Association, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and parent company of Fund Services, intends
to serve as the Fund’s custodian pursuant to a custody agreement.
F- 34
The Marketing Agent
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Marketing
Agent”) serves as the Marketing Agent of the Funds. Its principal duties are: (i) to work with the Transfer Agent to review and
approve orders placed by Authorized Participants and transmitted to the Transfer Agent; (ii) maintain copies of confirmations of Creation
Unit creation and redemption order acceptances; (iii) maintain telephonic, facsimile and/or access to direct computer communications
links with the Transfer Agent; and (iv) review and approve, prior to use, all Trust marketing materials for compliance with applicable
SEC and FINRA advertising rules.
The Marketing Agent retains all marketing materials
separately for the Funds, at their offices located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101.
As compensation for the services it provides,
the Marketing Agent receives a fee from the Funds.
NOTE 5 – OFFERING COSTS
Offering costs will be amortized by the Funds
over a twelve month period on a straight-line basis beginning once the fund commences operations. The Sponsor will not charge its Management
Fee in the first year of operations of a Fund in an amount equal to the offering costs. Normal and expected expenses incurred in connection
with the continuous offering of Shares of a Fund after the commencement of its trading operations will be paid by the Sponsor.
NOTE 6 – CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
Each Fund issues and redeems shares from time
to time, but only in one or more Creation Units. A Creation Unit is a block of at least 10,000 Shares of a Fund. Creation Units may be
created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants.
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the
Shares are not redeemable securities. Retail investors, therefore, generally will not be able to purchase or redeem Shares directly from
or with a Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase or sell Shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker. Thus,
some of the information contained in these Notes to Financial Statements—such as references to the Transaction Fees imposed on
purchases and redemptions is not relevant to retail investors.
Transaction Fees on Creation and Redemption Transactions
The manner by which Creation Units are purchased
or redeemed is governed by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement and Authorized Participant Procedures Handbook. By placing
a purchase order, an Authorized Participant agrees to: (1) deposit cash with the Custodian; and (2) if permitted by the Sponsor in its
sole discretion, enter into or arrange for an exchange of futures contract for related position or block trade with the relevant fund
whereby the Authorized Participant would also transfer to such Fund a number and type of exchange-traded futures contracts at or near
the closing settlement price for such contracts on the purchase order date.
Authorized Participants may pay a fee up to 0.03 %
of the value of each order they place with each order to create or redeem a Creation Unit in order to compensate the Administrator, the
Custodian and the Transfer Agent of each Fund and its Shares, for services in processing the creation and redemption of Creation Units
and to offset the costs of increasing or decreasing derivative positions, unless the transaction fee is waived or otherwise adjusted
by the Sponsor. The Sponsor provides such Authorized Participant with prompt notice in advance of any such waiver or adjustment of the
transaction fee. Authorized Participants may sell the Shares included in the Creation Units they purchase from the Funds to other investors
in the secondary market.
Transaction Fees for the year ended December 31, 2024 and
the period ended December 31, 2023:
Fund
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
Period Ended
December 31,
2023
-1x Short VIX Futures ETF
$ 446,439
$ 176,715
2x Long VIX Futures ETF
400,240
215,355
$ 846,679
$ 392,070
F- 35
NOTE 7 – FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data is for a Share outstanding throughout the Year Ended December 31, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
-1x Short VIX
Futures
ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
-1x Short VIX
Futures ETF
2x Long VIX
Futures ETF
For the Year
Ended
For the Year
Ended
For the Year
Ended
For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2024 (6)
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2023 (7)
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$ 37.78
$ 137.27
$ 14.63
$ 2,925.15
Net investment income (loss) (1)
0.13
( 0.03 )
( 0.34 )
( 6.05 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (2)
( 12.52 )
( 103.31 )
23.49
( 2,781.83 )
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value Resulting from Operations
( 12.39 )
( 103.34 )
23.15
( 2,787.88 )
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$ 25.39
$ 33.93
$ 37.78
$ 137.27
Market Value Per Share, at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (3)
$ 25.37
$ 34.00
$ 37.73
$ 137.30
Total Return at Net Asset Value
- 32.80 %
- 75.28 %
158.24 %
- 95.31 %
Total Return at Market Value
- 32.76 %
- 75.24 %
157.37 %
- 95.28 %
Ratios to Average Net Assets: (4)
Expense ratio (5)
1.69 %
2.36 %
1.97 %
2.18 %
Net Investment Loss
0.40 %
- 0.52 %
- 1.37 %
- 1.20 %
(1) Net investment loss per share represents net investment loss
divided by the daily average shares of beneficial interest outstanding during the period.
(2) Due to timing of capital share transactions, per share amounts
may not compare with amounts appearing elsewhere within these Financial Statements.
(3) Market values are determined at the close of the applicable
primary listing exchange, which may be later than when the Funds’ net asset value is calculated.
(4) Percentages are not annualized for the periods ended December
31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
(5) The expense ratio would be 1.67 % and 2.36 % respectively, for
the year ended December 31, 2024 and 1.93 % and 2.18 % for the year ended December 31, 2023 if brokerage commissions and futures and futures
account fees were excluded.
(6) Adjusted to reflect a 1:10 reverse stock split occurring on January 15, 2025, as if it occurred at the commencement of operations.
(7) Adjusted to reflect a 1:5 reverse stock split on January 25, 2023, a 1:10 reverse stock split on October 11, 2023,
and a 1:10 reverse stock split on January 15, 2025, as if they occurred at the commencement of operations.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F- 36
NOTE 8 – RISK
Correlation and Compounding Risk
The Funds do not seek to achieve their stated
investment objective over a period of time greater than a single day (as measured from NAV calculation time to NAV calculation time).
The return of a Fund for a period longer than a single day is the result of its return for each day compounded over the period and usually
will differ in amount and possibly even direction from the inverse (-1x) or two times (2x) the return of the Fund’s benchmark for
the period. A Fund will lose money if its benchmark performance is flat over time, and it is possible for a Fund to lose money over time
even if the performance of its benchmark increases in the case of UVIX (or decreases in the case of SVIX), as a result of daily rebalancing,
the benchmark’s volatility, compounding, and other factors. Compounding is the cumulative effect of applying investment gains and
losses and income to the principal amount invested over time. Gains or losses experienced over a given period will increase or reduce
the principal amount invested from which the subsequent period’s returns are calculated. The effects of compounding will likely
cause the performance of a Fund to differ from the Fund’s stated multiple times the return of its benchmark for the same period.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as benchmark volatility and holding period increase. The impact of compounding will
impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in a Fund is held and the volatility of the benchmark
during the holding period of an investment in the Fund. Longer holding periods, higher benchmark volatility, inverse exposure and greater
leverage each affect the impact of compounding on a Fund’s returns. Daily compounding of a Fund’s investment returns can
dramatically and adversely affect its longer-term performance during periods of high volatility. Volatility may be at least as important
to a Fund’s return for a period as the return of the Fund’s underlying benchmark.
Each Fund uses leverage and should produce daily
returns that are more volatile than that of its benchmark. For example, the daily return of UVIX should be approximately two times as
volatile on a daily basis as is the return of a fund with an objective of matching the same benchmark. The daily return of SVIX is designed
to return the inverse (-1x) of the return that would be expected of a fund with an objective of matching the same benchmark. The
Funds are not appropriate for all investors and present significant risks not applicable to other types of funds. The Funds use
leverage and are riskier than similarly benchmarked exchange-traded funds that do not use leverage. An investor should only consider
an investment in a Fund if he or she understands the consequences of seeking daily leveraged or daily inverse investment results. Shareholders
who invest in the Funds should actively manage and monitor their investments, as frequently as daily.
While the Funds seek to meet their investment
objectives, there is no guarantee they will do so. Factors that may affect a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective include:
(1) the Sponsor’s ability to purchase and sell Financial Instruments in a manner that correlates to a Fund’s objective; (2)
an imperfect correlation between the performance of Financial Instruments held by a Fund and the performance of the applicable benchmark;
(3) bid-ask spreads on such Financial Instruments; (4) fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs associated with the use of
Financial Instruments and commission costs; (5) holding or trading instruments in a market that has become illiquid or disrupted; (6)
a Fund’s Share prices being rounded to the nearest cent and/or valuation methodology; (7) changes to a benchmark Index that are
not disseminated in advance; (8) the need to conform a Fund’s portfolio holdings to comply with investment restrictions or policies
or regulatory or tax law requirements; (9) early and unanticipated closings of the markets on which the holdings of a Fund trade, resulting
in the inability of the Fund to execute intended portfolio transactions; (10) accounting standards; and (11) differences caused by a
Fund obtaining exposure to only a representative sample of the components of a benchmark, over weighting or under weighting certain components
of a benchmark or obtaining exposure to assets that are not included in a benchmark.
F- 37
A number of factors may affect a Fund’s
ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with its benchmark, and there can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree
of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent a Fund from achieving its investment objective. In order
to achieve a high degree of correlation with their underlying benchmarks, the Funds seek to rebalance their portfolios daily to keep
exposure consistent with their investment objectives. Being materially under- or over-exposed to the benchmark may prevent such Funds
from achieving a high degree of correlation with such benchmark. Market disruptions or closure, large amounts of assets into or out of
the Funds, regulatory restrictions, extreme market volatility, and other factors will adversely affect such Funds’ ability to adjust
exposure to requisite levels. The target amount of portfolio exposure is impacted dynamically by the benchmarks’ movements during
each day. Other things being equal, more significant movement in the value of its benchmark up or down will require more significant
adjustments to a Fund’s portfolio. Because of this, it is unlikely that the Funds will be perfectly exposed (i.e., --1x, -2x, as
applicable) to its benchmark at the end of each day, and the likelihood of being materially under- or over-exposed is higher on days
when the benchmark levels are volatile near the close of the trading day.
Each Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio on
a daily basis. The time and manner in which a Fund rebalances its portfolio may vary from day to day depending upon market conditions
and other circumstances at the discretion of the Sponsor. Unlike other funds that do not rebalance their portfolios as frequently, each
Fund may be subject to increased trading costs associated with daily portfolio rebalancing in order to maintain appropriate exposure
to the underlying benchmarks.
Counterparty Risk
Each Fund may use derivatives such as swap agreements
and forward contracts (collectively referred to herein as “derivatives”) in the manner described herein as a means to achieve
their respective investment objectives. The use of derivatives by a Fund exposes the Fund to counterparty risks.
Regulatory Treatment
Derivatives are generally traded in OTC markets
and have only recently become subject to comprehensive regulation in the United States. Cash-settled forwards are generally regulated
as “swaps”, whereas physically settled forwards are generally not subject to regulation (in the case of commodities other
than currencies) or subject to the federal securities laws (in the case of securities). Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act (“Title
VII”) created a regulatory regime for derivatives, with the CFTC responsible for the regulation of swaps and the SEC responsible
for the regulation of “security-based swaps.” The SEC requirements have largely yet to be made effective, but the CFTC requirements
are largely in place. The CFTC requirements have included rules for some of the types of transactions in which the Funds will engage,
including mandatory clearing and exchange trading, reporting, and margin for OTC swaps. Title VII also created new categories of regulated
market participants, such as “swap dealers,” “security-based swap dealers,” “major swap participants,”
and “major security-based swap participants” who are, or will be, subject to significant new capital, registration, recordkeeping,
reporting, disclosure, business conduct and other regulatory requirements. The regulatory requirements under Title VII continue to be
developed and there may be further modifications that could materially and adversely impact the Funds, the markets in which a Fund trades
and the counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions.
As noted, the CFTC rules may not apply to all
of the swap agreements and forward contracts entered into by the Funds. Investors, therefore, may not receive the protection of CFTC
regulation or the statutory scheme of the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) in connection with each Fund’s swap agreements
or forward contracts. The lack of regulation in these markets could expose investors to significant losses under certain circumstances,
including in the event of trading abuses or financial failure by participants.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The Funds will be subject to the credit risk of
the counterparties to the derivatives. In the case of cleared derivatives, the Funds will have credit risk to the clearing corporation
in a similar manner as the Funds would for futures contracts. In the case of OTC derivatives, the Funds will be subject to the credit
risk of the counterparty to the transaction – typically a single bank or financial institution. As a result, a Fund is subject
to increased credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to OTC derivatives entered into as part
of that Fund’s principal investment strategy. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations
due to financial difficulties, a Fund could suffer significant losses on these contracts and the value of an investor’s investment
in a Fund may decline.
The Funds have sought to mitigate these risks
by generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market daily,
subject to certain minimum thresholds. However, there are no limitations on the percentage of assets each Fund may invest in swap agreements
or forward contracts with a particular counterparty. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient or there are delays in accessing
the collateral, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above, including possible delays in recovering amounts as
a result of bankruptcy proceedings. The Funds typically enter into transactions only with major global financial institutions.
F- 38
OTC derivatives of the type that may be utilized
by the Funds are generally less liquid than futures contracts because they are not traded on an exchange, do not have uniform terms and
conditions, and are generally entered into based upon the creditworthiness of the parties and the availability of credit support, such
as collateral, and in general, are not transferable without the consent of the counterparty. These agreements contain various conditions,
events of default, termination events, covenants and representations. The triggering of certain events or the default on certain terms
of the agreement could allow a party to terminate a transaction under the agreement and request immediate payment in an amount equal
to the net positions owed to the party under the agreement. For example, if the level of the Fund’s benchmark has a dramatic intraday
move that would cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV, the terms of the swap may permit the counterparty to immediately close
out the transaction with the Fund. In that event, it may not be possible for the Fund to enter into another swap or to invest in other
Financial Instruments necessary to achieve the desired exposure consistent with the Fund’s objective. This, in turn, may prevent
the Fund from achieving its investment objective, particularly if the level of the Fund’s benchmark reverses all or part of its
intraday move by the end of the day.
In addition, cleared derivatives benefit from
daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. To the extent
the Fund enters into cleared swap transactions, the Fund will deposit collateral with a FCM in cleared swaps customer accounts, which
are required by CFTC regulations to be separate from its proprietary collateral posted for cleared swaps transactions. Cleared swap customer
collateral is subject to regulations that closely parallel the regulations governing customer segregated funds for futures transactions
but provide certain additional protections to cleared swaps collateral in the event of a clearing broker or clearing broker customer
default. For example, in the event of a default of both the clearing broker and a customer of the clearing broker, a clearing house is
only permitted to access the cleared swaps collateral in the legally separate (but operationally comingled) account of the defaulting
cleared swap customer of the clearing broker, as opposed to the treatment of customer segregated funds, under which the clearing house
may access all of the commingled customer segregated funds of a defaulting clearing broker. Derivatives entered into directly between
two counterparties do not necessarily benefit from such protections, particularly if entered into with an entity that is not registered
as a “swap dealer” with the CFTC. This exposes the Funds to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in
accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of
a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Funds to suffer a loss.
The Sponsor regularly reviews the performance
of its counterparties for, among other things, creditworthiness and execution quality. In addition, the Sponsor periodically considers
the addition of new counterparties and the counterparties used by a Fund may change at any time. Each day, the Funds disclose their portfolio
holdings as of the prior Business Day. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings identifies its counterparties, as applicable. This portfolio
holdings information may be accessed through the web on the Sponsor’s website at www.volatilityshares.com.
Each counterparty and/or any of its affiliates
may be an Authorized Participant or shareholder of a Fund, subject to applicable law.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives
transactions is generally lower than for OTC derivatives. Once a transaction is cleared, the clearing organization is substituted and
is a Fund’s counterparty on the derivative. The clearing organization guarantees the performance of the other side of the derivative.
Nevertheless, some risk remains, as there is no assurance that the clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations
to a Fund.
Leverage Risk
The Funds may utilize leverage in seeking to achieve
their respective investment objectives and will lose more money in market environments adverse to their respective daily investment objectives
than funds that do not employ leverage. The use of leveraged and/or inverse leveraged positions increases the risk of total loss of an
investor’s investment, even over periods as short as a single day.
For example, because UVIX includes a two times
(2x) multiplier, a single-day movement in the relevant benchmark approaching 50% at any point in the day could result in the total loss
or almost total loss of an investor’s investment if that movement is contrary to the investment objective of the Fund in which
an investor has invested, even if such Fund’s benchmark subsequently moves in an opposite direction, eliminating all or a portion
of the movement. This would be the case with downward single-day or intraday movements in the underlying benchmark of a Fund or upward
single-day or intraday movements in the benchmark of a Fund, even if the underlying benchmark maintains a level greater than zero at
all times.
Liquidity Risk
Financial Instruments cannot always be liquidated
at the desired price. It is difficult to execute a trade at a specific price when there is a relatively small volume of buy and sell
orders in a market. A market disruption can also make it difficult to liquidate a position or find a swap or forward contract counterparty
at a reasonable cost. Market illiquidity may cause losses for the Funds. The large size of the positions which the Funds may acquire
increases the risk of illiquidity by both making their positions more difficult to liquidate and increasing the losses incurred while
trying to do so. Any type of disruption or illiquidity will potentially be exacerbated due to the fact that the Funds will typically
invest in Financial Instruments related to one benchmark, which in many cases is highly concentrated.
F- 39
“Contango” and “Backwardation” Risk
The Funds typically hold futures contracts. As
the futures contracts near expiration, they are generally replaced by contracts that have a later expiration. Thus, for example, a contract
purchased and held in November 2019 may specify a January 2020 expiration. As that contract nears expiration, it may be replaced by selling
the January 2020 contract and purchasing the contract expiring in March 2020. This process is referred to as “rolling.” Rolling
may have a positive or negative impact on performance. For example, historically, the prices of certain types of futures contracts have
frequently been higher for contracts with shorter-term expirations than for contracts with longer-term expirations, which is referred
to as “backwardation.” In these circumstances, absent other factors, the sale of the January 2020 contract would take place
at a price that is higher than the price at which the March 2020 contract is purchased, thereby creating a gain in connection with rolling.
While certain types of futures contracts have historically exhibited consistent periods of backwardation, backwardation will likely not
exist in these markets at all times.
Since the introduction of VIX futures contracts,
there have frequently been periods where VIX futures prices reflect higher expected volatility levels further out in time. This can result
in a loss from “rolling” the VIX futures to maintain the constant weighted average maturity of the applicable Fund benchmark.
Losses from exchanging a lower priced VIX future for a higher priced longer-term future in the rolling process could adversely affect
the value of a Fund and, accordingly, decrease the return of a Fund.
Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk
Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes,
fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and widespread disease, including pandemics
and epidemics (for example, the novel coronavirus COVID-19), have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets and have
recently led, and may continue to lead, to increased market volatility and significant market losses. Such natural disaster and health
crises could exacerbate political, social, and economic risks previously mentioned, and result in significant breakdowns, delays, shutdowns,
social isolation, and other disruptions to important global, local and regional supply chains affected, with potential corresponding
results on the operating performance of the Funds and their investments. A climate of uncertainty and panic, including the contagion
of infectious viruses or diseases, may adversely affect global, regional, and local economies and reduce the availability of potential
investment opportunities, and increases the difficulty of performing due diligence and modeling market conditions, potentially reducing
the accuracy of financial projections. Under these circumstances, the Funds may have difficulty achieving their investment objectives
which may adversely impact performance. Further, such events can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, significantly disrupt
the operations of individual companies (including, but not limited to, the Funds’ Sponsor and third party service providers), sectors,
industries, markets, securities and commodity exchanges, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment,
and other factors affecting the value of the Funds’ investments. These factors can cause substantial market volatility, exchange
trading suspensions and closures and can impact the ability of the Funds to complete redemptions and otherwise affect Fund performance
and Fund trading in the secondary market. A widespread crisis may also affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen
at the current time. How long such events will last and whether they will continue or recur cannot be predicted. Impacts from these events
could have significant impact on a Fund’s performance, resulting in losses to your investment.
Risk that Current Assumptions and Expectations Could Become Outdated
As a Result of Global Economic Shocks
The onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
has caused significant shocks to global financial markets and economies, with many governments taking extreme actions to slow and contain
the spread of COVID-19. These actions have had, and likely will continue to have, a severe economic impact on global economies as economic
activity in some instances has essentially ceased. Financial markets across the globe are experiencing severe distress at least equal
to what was experienced during the global financial crisis in 2008. In March 2020, U.S. equity markets entered a bear market in the fastest
such move in the history of U.S. financial markets. Contemporaneous with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, oil experienced
shocks to supply and demand, impacting the price and volatility of oil. The global economic shocks being experienced as of the date hereof
may cause the underlying assumptions and expectations of the Funds to become outdated quickly or inaccurate, resulting in significant
losses.
NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In preparing these financial statements, management
has evaluated Fund related events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements
were issued. There were no other events or translations that occurred during the year that materially impacted the amounts or disclosures
in the Funds’ financial statements.
F-40
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.