Commodity-Based Trust

Definition ∞ A commodity-based trust is an investment vehicle that holds physical commodities or derivatives tied to their price. These trusts issue shares that trade on exchanges, offering investors exposure to commodity markets without direct ownership. Their value is directly correlated with the underlying commodity’s price performance. This structure provides a regulated means to access asset classes like gold or oil.
Context ∞ In digital assets, a key discussion involves the potential for commodity-based trusts to hold cryptocurrencies, particularly those considered commodities like Bitcoin. News frequently reports on regulatory approvals or rejections of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which function similarly to commodity-based trusts. These products aim to provide mainstream investors with regulated access to digital assets. The approval of such trusts is a significant event, impacting market liquidity and institutional participation.