How Jan van Eck Redefines Success and Honors His Father’s Legacy
October 05, 2023
Read Time 2 MIN
Diving into the intricate tapestry of VanEck's storied history, from its inception during the Nixon era to its modern-day focus on ETFs, the van Eck family has remained at the forefront of financial innovation. In an extensive profile of CEO Jan van Eck, Real Assets Adviser explores his personal journey, the firm's evolution, and VanEck’s forward-thinking investment philosophy. As the investment world ebbs and flows with the changing tides of global events, Jan's perspective serves as a beacon for those looking to navigate the future.
Here are highlights from the article:
The Nixon Era and Gold
In 1971, President Nixon unhooked the dollar from the gold standard. Jan’s father and the firm’s founder, John van Eck, saw this move coming and had already jumped into the gold market. His gold fund (known today as the VanEck International Investors Gold Fund), the first of its kind, skyrocketed as gold prices soared from $35 to $800 per ounce, making it the industry's top performer.
VanEck's Evolution: From Gold to ETFs
While John was passionate about gold, his son, Jan van Eck, realized the firm's over-reliance on gold was a vulnerability. Jan shifted the firm's focus, pioneering in ETFs. Today, ETFs account for 90% of VanEck's business, and the firm expects this sector to drive its growth for the foreseeable future.
Taking a Global Perspective
Founded in 1955, VanEck was originally focused on leveraging post-WWII investment opportunities in Asia and Europe. Today, Jan keeps an eye on emerging markets, technological innovations like blockchain, and the evolution of private finance in countries like Brazil and India.
Investment Philosophies and Forward Thinking
Jan believes in contrarian investing, seeing potential in assets like office real estate and cryptocurrencies. He's bullish on Bitcoin as a competitor to gold and has been pushing for Bitcoin ETFs since 2017. Jan's investments reflect his beliefs, with allocations in fintech startups and a digital assets fund.
A Changing Financial Landscape
For Jan, finance is intertwined with current events, making every day in the industry intellectually stimulating. He delves into alternative media for insights and research, emphasizing the importance of staying updated. He's particularly intrigued by global demographic changes, such as China's shrinking population.
Jan van Eck: Redefining Success
With a rich legacy behind him and a dynamic world ahead, Jan continues to reshape the definition of success in the investment world.
Read the full profile here: Real Assets Advisor – Honor Thy Father
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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
You can lose money by investing in the Fund. Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to risks which may include, but are not limited to, risks associated with active management, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market issuers, ESG investing strategy, foreign currency, foreign securities, gold and silver mining companies, market, non-diversified, operational, regulatory, investing in other funds, small- and medium-capitalization companies, special risk considerations of investing in Australian and Canadian issuers, and subsidiary investment risk, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Emerging market issuers and foreign securities may be subject to securities markets, political and economic, investment and repatriation restrictions, different rules and regulations, less publicly available financial information, foreign currency and exchange rates, operational and settlement, and corporate and securities laws risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Investments in the gold industry can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. The Fund’s overall portfolio may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry.
Investments in digital assets and Web3 companies are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk. These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets.
Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and Web3 companies, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If their value goes down, there’s no guarantee that it will rise again. As a result, there is a significant risk of loss of your entire principal investment.
Digital assets are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank and are not covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Accounts at digital asset custodians and exchanges are not protected by SPIC and are not FDIC insured. Furthermore, markets and exchanges for digital assets are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in traditional equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.
Digital assets include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, assets stored or created using blockchain technology, and other Web3 products.
Web3 Companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
Copyright © 2023 by Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
You can lose money by investing in the Fund. Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to risks which may include, but are not limited to, risks associated with active management, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market issuers, ESG investing strategy, foreign currency, foreign securities, gold and silver mining companies, market, non-diversified, operational, regulatory, investing in other funds, small- and medium-capitalization companies, special risk considerations of investing in Australian and Canadian issuers, and subsidiary investment risk, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Emerging market issuers and foreign securities may be subject to securities markets, political and economic, investment and repatriation restrictions, different rules and regulations, less publicly available financial information, foreign currency and exchange rates, operational and settlement, and corporate and securities laws risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Investments in the gold industry can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. The Fund’s overall portfolio may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry.
Investments in digital assets and Web3 companies are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk. These risks include, but are not limited to: the technology is new and many of its uses may be untested; intense competition; slow adoption rates and the potential for product obsolescence; volatility and limited liquidity, including but not limited to, inability to liquidate a position; loss or destruction of key(s) to access accounts or the blockchain; reliance on digital wallets; reliance on unregulated markets and exchanges; reliance on the internet; cybersecurity risks; and the lack of regulation and the potential for new laws and regulation that may be difficult to predict. Moreover, the extent to which Web3 companies or digital assets utilize blockchain technology may vary, and it is possible that even widespread adoption of blockchain technology may not result in a material increase in the value of such companies or digital assets.
Digital asset prices are highly volatile, and the value of digital assets, and Web3 companies, can rise or fall dramatically and quickly. If their value goes down, there’s no guarantee that it will rise again. As a result, there is a significant risk of loss of your entire principal investment.
Digital assets are not generally backed or supported by any government or central bank and are not covered by FDIC or SIPC insurance. Accounts at digital asset custodians and exchanges are not protected by SPIC and are not FDIC insured. Furthermore, markets and exchanges for digital assets are not regulated with the same controls or customer protections available in traditional equity, option, futures, or foreign exchange investing.
Digital assets include, but are not limited to, cryptocurrencies, tokens, NFTs, assets stored or created using blockchain technology, and other Web3 products.
Web3 Companies include but are not limited to, companies that involve the development, innovation, and/or utilization of blockchain, digital assets, or crypto technologies.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
Copyright © 2023 by Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher.