What Simplify does

Simplify Asset Management Inc. is a privately held, Las Vegas-headquartered (with a New York corporate office) Registered Investment Adviser that designs and distributes a focused lineup of alternative-strategy exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Founded around 2020–2021 and operating with a small senior investment team under CIO and co-founder David Berns, PhD, alongside Chief Market Strategist Michael Green, CFA, and Managing Partner Harley S. Bassman, the firm packages institutional-grade strategies — managed futures (CTA, SDMF, CTAP), volatility premium harvesting (SVOL, MAXI), barrier and options-spread income (SBAR, AGGH, HIGH, RFIX), interest-rate hedging (PFIX), sector/thematic (PINK), MBS (MTBA), and private-credit proxy (PCR) — into liquid, daily-priced ETF wrappers listed on NASDAQ and NYSE Arca.

The firm's product architecture is built on proprietary derivatives and rules-based methodologies, including 30% downside-barrier put spreads on major U.S. equity indices, short VIX futures positions partially hedged by VIX call options, swaption-based interest-rate overlays, and trend-following models across commodities, currencies, and rates. Distribution is conducted on a B2B2C basis: Foreside Financial Services LLC serves as principal underwriter and distributor, while Simplify targets registered investment advisors (RIAs) and wealth managers through a gated advisor portal, model portfolios, recurring webinars, and an extensive research blog. Retail investors access the ETFs through standard brokerage platforms.

Revenue is generated almost exclusively through ETF management fees charged on assets under management, with disclosed expense ratios ranging from approximately 0.50% (PFIX) to 1.31% (MAXI, SVOL). Fund-level AUM is highly dispersed: CTA holds over $1.1B, PINK holds $266.96M, MAXI roughly $25M, with the remainder of the 20+ fund lineup contributing incremental assets. The firm has no disclosed parent company, no venture or private equity backing, and operates as an independent RIA reliant on fund flows and asset gathering for growth.

Name

Simplify

Legal name

Simplify Asset Management Inc.

Website

https://simplify.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Simplify Asset Management is a privately held Registered Investment Adviser that designs and distributes a focused lineup of alternative-strategy ETFs — including managed futures, volatility premium, barrier income, and interest-rate hedging funds — primarily to financial advisors and RIAs via NASDAQ/NYSE Arca listings under a Foreside-led distribution model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Asset Management ETFs

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Asset & Allocation ETFs (Balanced, Target Risk) (FSAAAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Currency & FX-Hedged ETFs (FSAAAFAL), Sector & Industry Equity ETFs (FSAAAFAC), Leveraged & Inverse ETFs (FSAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Alternative ETFs
• Asset management
• Managed futures
• Options-based income
• Volatility strategies

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: Simplify Asset Management earns revenue by charging management fees on its ETFs, calculated as a percentage of assets under management (AUM). Fee rates vary by fund: SVOL charges 1.31%, PINK 0.51%, PFIX 0.50%, AGGH has a 7.5% trailing dividend yield supported by options selling, and HIGH has a 0.76% expense ratio for its competitor Virtus Private Credit Strategy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Simplify Asset Management Inc. designs and issues exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that deliver alternative and derivative-based investment strategies to financial advisors and investors. Its product lineup includes options-based income funds (SBAR, AGGH, HIGH, RFIX), volatility premium harvesting (SVOL, MAXI), managed futures (CTA, SDMF, CTAP), sector and credit exposure (PINK, PCR, MTBA), and interest rate hedging (PFIX). Revenue is generated primarily through management fees calculated as a percentage of assets under management (AUM).

Product overview

Simplify is an ETF provider offering a focused lineup of alternative investment products, primarily through exchange-traded funds. The product suite centers on options-based income strategies (SBAR, AGGH, HIGH, RFIX), volatility harvesting (SVOL, MAXI), managed futures (CTA, SDMF, CTAP), sector exposure (PINK), fixed income (MTBA), and alternative credit access (PCR). The products are distributed as separate, individual ETFs rather than a unified platform with modules, with each fund targeting specific return profiles such as monthly income, crisis alpha, rate hedging, or volatility premium harvesting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Simplify ETFs: The company's exchange-traded fund brand offering alternative investment products including managed futures, volatility, fixed income, and barrier income strategies.

Products and services

• Simplify Barrier Income ETF (SBAR) An actively managed ETF that provides high monthly income through an options spread strategy on US stock indices with a 30% downside loss barrier; generates income via option sales and US Treasury holdings.
• Simplify Aggregate Bond ETF (AGGH) An actively managed bond ETF offering core bond exposure with enhanced income potential via options selling and curve positioning strategies.
• Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) A managed futures strategy ETF providing diversification through trend-following models across commodities, currencies, and interest rates, delivering low correlation to stocks and bonds with positive convexity during risk-off events.
• Simplify Currency Strategy ETF (FOXY) A currency-focused ETF providing diversification and monthly income potential through foreign exchange risk premia harvesting.
• Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) An actively managed ETF that generates income primarily by maintaining a short VIX futures position while using VIX call options as a partial hedge against market shocks, targeting -0.2x to -0.3x daily inverse VIX exposure.
• Simplify MBS ETF (MTBA) An ETF that invests at least 80% of assets in mortgage-backed securities from GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC, focusing on newly-issued agency MBS with above-average coupons, targeting approximately 6% annualized yield.
• Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) An ETF that primarily invests in investment-grade fixed income assets like US Treasurys and employs an option spread writing strategy to generate enhanced income, maintaining a monthly dividend of $0.11 per share.
• Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK) An actively managed healthcare sector ETF launched in 2021, focusing on innovation and biotechnology sub-sectors. Net management profits are donated to breast cancer research.
• Simplify Bond Bull ETF (RFIX) An interest-rate derivative strategy ETF utilizing a 7-year OTC receiver swaption designed to profit from falling long-term Treasury yields.
• Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX) An actively managed ETF launched in 2021 that uses derivatives including swaptions, interest rate options, and Treasury futures to profit from rising rates, with a negative duration of -36.95 years.
• Simplify Bitcoin Strategy ETF (MAXI) A Bitcoin futures and options-based ETF that generates income through Bitcoin futures, Bitcoin-related ETPs, and an actively managed options overlay.
• Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF (SDMF) A rules-based index fund designed to track the performance of the largest managed futures hedge funds through a portfolio of ten liquid futures contracts across interest rates, currencies, equities, and commodities, with exposure primarily through total return swaps.
• CTAP ETF An ETF offering 100% exposure to U.S. large-cap equities combined with a systematic managed futures strategy designed by Altis Partners, providing diversification and capital efficiency.
• Simplify VettaFi Private Credit Strategy ETF (PCR) Offers indirect exposure to private credit through listed BDCs and closed-end funds, providing liquid access to private credit markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• CTA delivered 7-8% year-to-date gains while S&P 500 crashed during tariff-driven selloff in early 2026
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DBi (DBi CTA Index)coreTechnology or Integration · 24 February 2026Simplify Asset Management launched the Simplify DBi CTA Managed Futures Index ETF (SDMF), a new rules-based index fund designed to track the performance of the largest managed futures hedge funds through a portfolio of ten liquid futures contracts across interest rates, currencies, equities, and commodities. The ETF gains exposure primarily through total return swaps. The index methodology is provided by DBi, representing a core strategic relationship for Simplify's managed futures lineup expansion.
• Altis PartnerscoreTechnology or Integration · 9 December 2025Simplify launched the CTAP ETF offering 100% exposure to U.S. large-cap equities and a systematic managed futures strategy designed by Altis Partners. The fund leverages assets from Simplify's existing CTA ETF (over $1.1 billion in AUM), combining Simplify's equity beta with Altis Partners' managed futures expertise. This represents a co-branded product combining both firms' strategies.
• Virtus Investment Partners (competitor reference)minorOthersVirtus Private Credit Strategy ETF (ticker PRIV) is referenced as a competitor product with a 0.39% expense ratio vs. PCR's 0.76%, providing context for Simplify's competitive positioning in private credit ETFs.
• Foreside Financial Services LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForeside Financial Services LLC is Simplify's principal underwriter and distributor for all Simplify ETFs. Foreside serves as the regulated entity responsible for ensuring ETF distribution compliance with FINRA and SEC requirements and for maintaining the selling group of broker-dealers that distribute Simplify ETFs.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• KraneShares: Niche ETF issuer focused on alternative themes including Bitcoin futures and China exposure. Comparable to Simplify's MAXI Bitcoin Strategy ETF and similar alternative-thematic distribution approach.
• AllianzIM / IncomeShares: Options-based income ETF platform launched by Allianz Investment Management, with defined-outcome and yield-enhancement strategies. Closely comparable to Simplify's SBAR/HIGH/PFIX income-generation franchise and advisor-targeting GTM.

Direct peers

• Alpha Architect: Quantitative ETF issuer offering factor, managed futures, and treasury strategies with strong advisor education focus. Directly comparable to Simplify's emphasis on alternative, derivatives-based ETFs and thought-leadership distribution.
• Innovator ETFs: Defined-outcome and buffered ETF specialist, including barrier-style income strategies similar to Simplify's SBAR. Comparable product architecture (options-defined outcomes) and shared RIA distribution channel.
• Cambria Funds: Independent ETF issuer specializing in alternative, income, and global macro strategies with an advisor-centric distribution model. Highly comparable to Simplify's product range and target customer base of RIAs seeking yield and diversification.
• AGFiQ (AGF Investments): Factor and multi-asset ETF provider with quantitative strategies in managed futures, equity factor, and risk-managed income. Closely comparable product philosophy to Simplify's systematic, multi-asset alternative ETFs.

Broad incumbents

• ProShares: Large incumbent ETF issuer with broad alternatives and volatility franchises (e.g., SVXY/UVXY, managed futures). Competes with Simplify in vol premium and managed futures categories but offers a much wider product shelf and deeper distribution.
• WisdomTree: Established ETF issuer with currency, fixed income, and alternatives strategies. FOXY-style currency products and fixed income overlays overlap with Simplify's offering, though WisdomTree operates at much greater scale.
• Direxion: Specialist in leveraged and inverse ETFs, directly comparable to Simplify's SVOL (short VIX futures with call overlay). Operates at significantly larger scale with broader product suite.
• First Trust: Diversified ETF issuer with alternative income, managed futures, and options-overlay strategies. Adjacent competitor in advisor-sold alternative income ETFs (e.g., FIRST TR alternatives suite).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/simplifyETFs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simplify-asset-management

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simplify