Cathie Wood’s investment firm, ARK Invest, has made headlines with a notable shift in its investment strategy. In April 2025, ARK acquired $26.6 million in Coinbase (COIN) shares while simultaneously selling $12 million of its ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) amidst rising market volatility linked to recent trade tariffs imposed by the United States.
This significant Coinbase purchase consists of two major transactions: a $13.2 million buy on April 7 and a $13.3 million acquisition on April 4, just days after President Donald Trump announced the new tariffs on April 2. The investment reflects ARK’s confidence in Coinbase as a digital asset platform even as it pulls back on its Bitcoin ETF holdings.
Despite the bullish stance on Coinbase, the simultaneous sale of $12 million of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF shares is among the largest daily reductions by the firm. This follows earlier sales of $8 million and $8.6 million in the preceding months. Such decisions reveal a complex response to market conditions, particularly when Bitcoin prices are affected by external pressures. Following the tariff announcement, Bitcoin experienced a dramatic decline, sliding almost 11% to as low as $74,700, exacerbating outflows from Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs).
In light of these market dynamics, ARK’s Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) continues to offer indirect exposure to Bitcoin, maintaining a position of approximately $142 million in ARKB. This investment still accounts for about 11% of the fund’s total weight, illustrating ARK’s strategic balancing act between direct and indirect holdings within the cryptocurrency space.
While recent data shows Bitcoin ETFs experiencing severe outflows — totaling approximately $273 million over three trading days — ARK has remained among the few ETF issuers boasting net positive inflows this year. The firm has recorded approximately $146 million in inflows year-to-date, suggesting resilience amidst a tumultuous market backdrop where many investors were retreating.
Comparatively, other financial giants like BlackRock and ProShares have also reported positive inflows, approximately $3.2 billion and $398 million, respectively. Such contrasts provide insights into the investor sentiment towards Bitcoin and related assets amid evolving economic landscapes.
As the cryptocurrency market continues to navigate challenges tied to regulatory news and international trade policies, ARK’s actions represent a noteworthy case study in adaptive investment strategies. The firm’s commitment to increasing its Coinbase stake signals a bullish outlook for the exchange platform, even as the surrounding market remains volatile.
