According to ChainCatcher, citing Russian media RBC, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) plans to launch an index fund tracking Ethereum (ETH) futures in August 2024. The fund will be based on the BlackRock-operated iShares Ethereum Trust ETF, with a contract size slightly smaller than the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT).
In terms of technical details, the fund's quotation will be equal to the price of one share, and the contract will be settled in rubles. The exchange launched its first Bitcoin futures contract in June 2023 and plans to introduce more cryptocurrency-related products, including mutual funds and structured bonds focused on crypto asset indices, which are currently awaiting regulatory approval.
Additionally, the Moscow Exchange plans to launch futures contracts tracking US government bonds, with the underlying asset being the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The exchange's interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow, and it will further expand its product line in the future.
