ARK Invest has partnered with Securitize to tokenize its ARK Venture Fund on the Ethereum blockchain, offering qualified investors a blockchain-enabled method to invest in a portfolio that includes OpenAI and Anthropic.
Summary
- ARKVX comprises both private and public tech companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Stripe, and Databricks.
- Securitize will oversee the fund’s on-chain issuance and investor interactions, starting with Ethereum.
- Investors will acquire an interest in the fund itself, not tokens tied to individual portfolio companies.
- A SEC order dated September 21 allows ARK to offer a tokenized share class under specified conditions.
In a September 24 announcement, Securitize and ARK Invest revealed that eligible investors accessing ARKVX through Securitize can hold a tokenized interest in this actively managed fund. Securitize will provide the necessary infrastructure for issuing these interests on Ethereum and managing the investor experience. ARK mentioned that the fund’s holdings may vary as its managers buy and sell investments.
ARKVX offers fund-level exposure to private tech
The ARK Venture Fund targets a mix of private and public companies. Notable holdings include OpenAI, Anthropic, Stripe, and Databricks; however, investing in ARKVX does not provide direct ownership of shares in these companies. Rather, the tokenized interest indicates an investment in the fund, with managers controlling the portfolio allocation.
This fund is a continuously offered, closed-end interval fund, allowing investors to buy shares regularly, while also offering periodic buyback opportunities. ARK’s fund disclosures recommend that investors not expect the ability to sell shares freely, as buyback offers may surpass the fund’s capacity to meet requests.
Such restrictions are essential for the Ethereum implementation. Simply recording a fund interest on a blockchain does not establish an open market for its shares. Securitize highlighted in their announcement that ARKVX shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and no secondary market is expected to arise. Access through Securitize remains contingent on specific investor eligibility and additional restrictions.
Cathie Wood, founder, CEO, and chief investment officer at ARK, articulated that tokenization reflects the firm’s outlook on the evolving capital markets. She pointed out that ARK’s research indicates potential changes in investor access to private and public markets, with the on-chain fund serving as one approach to actualizing that vision.
SEC order permits ARK to launch a tokenized share class
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission granted an amended order for the ARK Venture Fund on September 21, enabling the fund to offer a tokenized share class which could be traded on alternative trading systems or accessed through other authorized channels. This order also allows for a separate class that may be listed on a national securities exchange, with each class adhering to the conditions set in ARK’s application.
Earlier in September, crypto.news reported on ARK’s application proposing to leverage blockchain technology for recording ownership of this new class. The application aimed to modify prior relief granted by the SEC in November 2025. At that time, ARK had not specified the blockchain or provider it intended to use, but the current announcement identifies Ethereum and Securitize.
The SEC noted that no parties requested a hearing after the publication of ARK’s application notice. The September 21 order took effect immediately, although the regulator’s approval for the new classes does not indicate that shares are actively trading on an alternative trading system. Securitize’s announcement details the tokenized fund’s availability for qualified investors via its platform.
ARK’s SEC application outlines how purchases from the fund will operate. An investor buying directly from ARK would pay the net asset value of the relevant share class, as well as applicable sales or distribution fees. Once the investor’s payment is cleared and the fund accepts the purchase, they are recognized as a shareholder for tax purposes. The application also mentions that costs tied to a tokenized class may include transfer agent fees and blockchain transaction expenses.
In addition, the SEC has granted five years of conditional relief for qualified venues to trade tokenized versions of select U.S.-listed stocks. This order concerns tokenized shares of individual companies on specified trading venues. ARK’s venture fund obtained its amended order through an Investment Company Act application regarding the fund’s share classes.
Securitize strengthens its partnership with ARK
The choice of Securitize by ARK follows a strategic investment announced in October 2025. At that time, both companies expressed their commitment to collaborating on regulated tokenized investment products and the infrastructure required for their issuance. ARK Venture Fund also held equity in Securitize along with a $10 million convertible note, according to ARK’s filings referenced in previous crypto.news reports.
Securitize has been working towards a public listing. An October 2025 report outlined plans for a merger with a special purpose acquisition company backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, along with a proposed $225 million private investment. The report acknowledged ARK Invest as one of the company’s known supporters. Securitize’s September 24 announcement associated the firm with the ticker SECZ on the New York Stock Exchange.
For ARKVX, the current arrangement allows ARK to manage the fund’s investments while Securitize supplies the tokenization infrastructure. Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo described the launch as transitioning an established ARK investment product to an on-chain structure. Both firms confirmed that Ethereum will support the tokenized fund upon its launch.
