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ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF to Execute 3-for-1 Share Split on June 16

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF to Execute 3-for-1 Share Split on June 16

NordenBladet – 21Shares US has announced a 3-for-1 share split for its ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ticker: ARKB), set to take effect at the market open on June 16, 2025. The move is intended to make the fund more accessible to a broader range of investors by lowering the price per share, without altering the fund’s intrinsic value or investment approach.

The share split will not impact the ETF’s net asset value (NAV), ticker symbol, or investment strategy. Shares will continue to trade under the same CUSIP number, ensuring a seamless transition for current and prospective investors.

This strategic decision comes amid surging interest in spot bitcoin ETFs, which were approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024 after more than a decade of deliberation. The approval marked a pivotal moment for the digital assets space, signaling increasing regulatory acceptance of cryptocurrencies in traditional finance.

ARKB, which offers direct exposure to bitcoin through regulated markets, has gained nearly 12% year-to-date and approximately 27% in the current quarter. It closed Monday’s trading session at $104.25. By providing institutional and retail investors a way to gain bitcoin exposure without holding the digital asset directly, funds like ARKB have helped boost both confidence and capital inflows into the crypto sector.

The share split comes as bitcoin itself surpasses the $100,000 mark — a psychologically and technically significant milestone for many market watchers. The move to split ARKB shares aligns with common market practices aimed at improving liquidity and attracting retail participation by making shares more affordable.

With this split, each current share of ARKB will be converted into three shares, effectively reducing the price per share while preserving the total value of an investor’s holdings. The ETF remains a compelling entry point for those seeking regulated, simplified exposure to the world’s leading cryptocurrency.

Why choose ARKB?

Easy access: Investors can participate in the bitcoin market without the need to manage crypto wallets or worry about security.

Regulated structure: The fund operates within a regulated market, offering reliability and transparency.

Diversification: Adds an asset class to a portfolio that has a low correlation with traditional assets.

Reduced risk: By avoiding direct ownership of cryptocurrency, investors minimize risks such as wallet loss or hacking.

Featured image: NordenBladet

The Riigikogu supports cooperation of Member States to preserve digital cultural heritage

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Committee Peeter Tali pointed out that one of the lessons of the war Russia waged in Ukraine was that in particular the Kremlin wanted to destroy cultural heritage and historical memory in order to deprive the Ukrainian people of their identity.

“If heritage were to be destroyed in one country, it is very important that digital cultural heritage can be copied and preserved outside the country. In that way, it will be possible to restore this heritage later,” Tali said. “As the preservation and protection of heritage is important for all Member States, it makes sense to develop a common solution that is also more cost-effective and sustainable.”

It was decided at the sitting that our duty was to ensure cultural historical continuity. Therefore, it is important for Estonia that the European Commission develops a common solution for the cross-border preservation of digital heritage within the European Union and within the EU financial framework, so that the most valuable part of Europe’s digital heritage and the information systems related to it could be preserved for centuries.

Before a solution that covers the whole Europe could be developed, it is necessary to ensure that systems are able to exchange data between themselves. It is essential that national systems for preservation of digital heritage could operate together so that it would be possible to exchange data very quickly and at the same time securely in a crisis.

Estonia also considers it necessary that the European Commission forms an expert group consisting of representatives of Member States to formulate a solution, and ensures the transparency and consistency of its activities, as well as the resources necessary for its work, in order to first create a standard according to which it would be possible to start working. Estonia would like the European Commission to carry out a pilot project to test the model in different cultural contexts and make sure it works before offering it to all.

A trans-European preservation service must ensure the sustainable long-term preservation of unique digital heritage and related information systems, and the capacity to launch priority services relating to digital heritage beyond national borders. The aim is to have high-quality copies of digital heritage in a ‘digital embassy of heritage’.

The preparations have been ongoing for a couple of years and it is expected that the model could be implemented in 2028.

Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, and Adviser on Digital Heritage Kristiin Meos and European Union Affairs Adviser Kadri Jauram from the Ministry of Culture gave an overview of the Government’s positions on the preservation of digital cultural heritage at the sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee. The Committee decided to approve the positions in line with the opinion of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports cooperation of Member States to preserve digital cultural heritage

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee is on a working visit to Norway

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the meetings would focus on further support to Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to make it possible to achieve a fair and lasting peace that included restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and to avoid Russia’s possible aggressions in the future. Foreign and security policy cooperation between the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States, increasing defence spending and strengthening European defence capabilities and NATO deterrence, including enhancing security in the Baltic Sea, will also be discussed at the meetings.

During the two-day visit, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Parliament of Norway, and with State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Andreas Flåm, as well as with representatives of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). They will also visit the defence and space industry company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Committee Luisa Rõivas and Henn Põlluaas.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee is on a working visit to Norway

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO PA pushes for increased support to Ukraine and stronger NATO deterrence

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

According to the Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO PA Raimond Kaljulaid, Estonia currently faces three challenges on the NATO level. “First of all, we are keen for every NATO ally to increase their defence spending. We have already done this and contribute more than five percent of our GDP, as do many other countries, but we need the same contribution from everyone to ensure our security,” he stressed.

Secondly, Kaljulaid highlighted the need to keep the issue of Ukraine on the agenda. “Thirdly, we need to continually stress on every level that unity is key and that discords between USA and Europe only benefit NATO’s enemies and opponents, especially Russia and China,” he said.

Member of the Estonian delegation, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson emphasised that the upcoming NATO summit must avoid any concessions when it comes to Ukraine. “The conclusions of the The Hague summit cannot be a step backwards compared to those made in Vilnius and Washington. This is why it is important for the NATO allies to invite the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to The Hague and organise a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Russia must not receive a signal that they have any kind of power over NATO decisions,” he said.

The focus of the declarations passed at the Spring Session of the Assembly was on supporting Ukraine and taking NATO deterrence and defence capability to a new level at the summit that is taking place in the Netherlands at the end of June.

The Assembly called on the governments of the allies to increase diplomatic, military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, support tougher sanctions against Russia and its accomplices, including in the oil and gas sector, and ensure that any peace agreement would prevent possible future aggressions by Russia, ensure the long term security of Ukraine, and strengthen European and Euro-Atlantic security. The declaration also included an appeal to NATO leadership to invite Ukraine to the The Hague summit, and to organise a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on the level of the heads of government.

The second declaration concerned increasing the level of defence expenditure, strengthening the defence industry, and enhancing NATO deterrence. Among other things, the members of the Assembly advocated for strengthening NATO’s position in the Baltic Sea region, referring to both the Baltic air policing mission and the Baltic Sentry activities.

The MPs taking part in the session of the NATO PA also had a discussion with the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte, whose speech focused on increasing defence spending and developing defence industry. As the Spring Session, which started last week and ended on Monday, was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, speeches were delivered by high representatives of Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: NATO PA pushes for increased support to Ukraine and stronger NATO deterrence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Increasing cooperation between Estonia and Korea offers great development opportunities

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting that the excellent relations between Estonia and Korea were characterised by shared values in defending freedom, democracy and the international legal order, as well as by close cooperation in many fields. He pointed out that the opening of the Estonian Embassy and Business Centre in Seoul in early 2023 and the opening of the Korean Embassy in Tallinn in March this year had boosted these excellent relations.

Hussar noted that in the increasingly tense security situation, which had led to the need to significantly increase defence spending, close defence cooperation was important for both countries, and as part of this cooperation, Estonia had purchased K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea. “In addition to cooperation of defence industries, we are also developing digital cooperation and are ready to share our experience and pay even more attention to cooperation in cyber defence,” he said.

It was confirmed at the meeting that expanding economic cooperation offered great growth opportunities, and the promotion of cultural ties and tourism was also considered important. The participation of the Daegu Opera House in this year’s Saaremaa Opera Festival was particularly highlighted. The Speakers also underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, emphasising the need to further develop interparliamentary relations.

Hussar pointed out that a 12-member Estonia-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group had been formed in the Riigikogu, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu had visited the Republic of Korea last autumn, and Chair of the Environment Committee of the Riigikogu Yoko Alender had visited Seoul with a business delegation in April this year. “The importance of parliamentary diplomacy has grown considerably in the last three years, especially since Russia started a full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine,” the President of the Riigikogu said, and reiterated the desire to further strengthen parliamentary relations.

Chair of the Estonia-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and members of the Group Yoko Alender and Urve Tiidus also participated in the meeting of the Speakers.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea arrived in Estonia for a three-day visit on Sunday, when he met with the Korean community in Estonia. He will meet with President Alar Karis, and visit the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. He will also visit the Estonian Open Air Museum, Kadriorg Art Museum, Palmse Manor and Viru Bog.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar: Increasing cooperation between Estonia and Korea offers great development opportunities

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu supports more effective return of third-country nationals illegally staying in the EU

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali pointed out that while Estonia had a very high rate of return of illegally arrived persons, not all EU member states were doing as well with returns, and this could inevitably affect us. “This is a very good initiative because if the European return system becomes stronger, it will be good for European unity and for preserving our way of life,” Tali said.

“Authoritarian regimes are using irregular migration in hybrid war. Hopefully, Europe’s determination and more effective return of illegal migrants will send a clear message and act as a deterrent, helping to reduce their numbers. If Europe’s rules hold, illegal immigrants will also realise that there is no point in taking a gamble and trying to come here illegally.”

It was highlighted at the sitting that according to the initiative, if one country had taken a return decision regarding an illegal immigrant, other Member States would see the notification and would not have to start a new procedure, but can expel the illegal immigrant on the basis of the decision already taken. If the person is not satisfied with the decision, they can challenge it in court when they are themselves located in a third country.

The aim of the common return system is to speed up the return of third-country nationals illegally staying in the EU. Estonia supports enhancing the effectiveness of the system, including the introduction of an obligation to cooperate for persons subject to return, longer detention periods and longer entry bans, and the extension of the criteria for risk of absconding.

Last year, 441,772 return decisions were issued in the European Union, of which only 126,787 could be enforced. Each year, more than 70 per cent of third-country nationals whose illegally stay has been detected remain in Member States for various reasons. Estonia has a very high return rate, last year, 92% of return decisions were enforced.

At today’s sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee, Head of the Border Guard and Migration Policy Department Janek Mägi, Adviser of the Border Guard and Migration Policy Department Ele Russak and Advisor of the Department of European Union and Foreign Relations Katarina Budrik of the Ministry of the Interior gave an overview of the positions of the Government regarding the proposal for a Regulation. The Committee decided to approve the positions by consensus, in line with the opinion of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports more effective return of third-country nationals illegally staying in the EU

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Estonian Defence Forces have concluded their largest exercise of the year, Hedgehog 25

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Live Fire Exercises at the Estonian Defence Forces Exercise Hedgehog 25 Are Coming to an End

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Kaljulaid and Mihkelson attend NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in the USA

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Before the Plenary Sitting of the Assembly, discussions will be held in the committees of the Assembly this week. Kaljulaid is a member of the Defence and Security Committee and Mihkelson is a member of the Political Committee.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly will convene for its Spring Session on Monday. Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte and Head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO PA Michael R. Turner will speak at the Plenary Sitting. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha will deliver a video message.

The debates at the Plenary Sitting will focus on two topics. First topic will cover taking NATO’s deterrence and defence capability to the next level at this year’s summit, which will be held at the end of June in The Hague, the Netherlands. The second topic will be achieving peace in Ukraine. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly plans to adopt a declaration on both topics of discussion at the sitting. At the end of the Session, new Secretary General of the Assembly will be elected.

Kaljulaid and Mihkelson will also take part in two panel discussions at the University of Dayton. Kaljulaid will speak at the panel organised in cooperation with the Atlantic Council, which will focus on the role of NATO and transatlantic relations in the tense global security environment. In addition to Head of the Estonian delegation Kaljulaid, President of the Atlantic Council Frederick Kempe, Head of the Norwegian Delegation Trond Helleland and Head of the British Delegation Derek Twigg will participate in the panel. The discussion will be moderated by Erwan Lagadec, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Mihkelson will speak at the panel organised by the Assembly and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where the focus will be on developing the defence industry of the USA and its European allies. Other speakers at the discussion will be Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee Lieutenant General Andy Rohling and Member of the German Bundestag Peter Beyer, and the discussion will be moderated by Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

On Sunday, Kaljulaid and Mihkelson, together with members of the Assembly’s Defence and Security Committee, will visit the Lima Army Tank Plant, where tanks and other land warfare platforms used by NATO allies and Ukraine are produced.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Kaljulaid and Mihkelson attend NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in the USA

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar discussed opportunities for digital cooperation with President of Botswana

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Hussar said that the first state visit of an African President to Estonia was a special event, which was confirmed by the fact that the Estonia-Botswana Parliamentary Friendship Group had been formed in the Riigikogu today. The Bill on the ratification of the agreement for the elimination of double taxation between Estonia and Botswana also passed its first reading in the Riigikogu today. According to the President of the Riigikogu, the ratification of the agreement will open up new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries

At the meeting, Hussar, together with Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson and member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Mario Kadastik, gave the President of Botswana a comprehensive overview of the digital solutions in use in Estonia. Among other things, the e-residency programme, online elections, e-banking and other e-services offered by the state and businesses were discussed. According to Hussar, the use of digital solutions in Estonia contributes significantly to efficiency.

Hussar pointed out that the most important thing when using e-services was to maintain the trust of society, and to address security and data protection issues in a wise and well thought out way. He assured that Estonia was ready to share information and experience with Botswana in the development of e-governance, digital services and cybersecurity. “We have great potential for cooperation in these areas. I hope to see fruitful cooperation between our two countries especially in the development of digital services,” he said.

The international security situation, the increasing of defence spending and support for Ukraine in the war of aggression launched by Russia were also spoken about at the meeting.

The President of Botswana is in Estonia at the invitation of President Alar Karis.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar discussed opportunities for digital cooperation with President of Botswana

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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