VanEck Associates Corporation

VanEck Associates Corporation is an investment management firm specializing in a range of investment solutions, notably focused on precious metals and mining companies. It is known for its work in exchange-traded funds and other products that cater to investors looking to gain exposure to these sectors.

CCI Score

-25.74

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

VanEck Invests in DeFi Real Estate Platform Manifest

VanEck Ventures co-led Manifest's $2.5 million pre‐seed funding round, investing in a DeFi platform that tokenizes U.S. real estate to enhance transparency, liquidity, and global accessibility in asset management.

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ACCOMPLICE

VanEck Associates Corporation is currently rated as an Accomplice.

-20 to -29 CCI Score

These companies profit from authoritarian practices through their business dealings. Although they may not be directly enforcing oppressive policies, their actions contribute to the economic and operational sustenance of authoritarian regimes.

Latest Events

MAR

20

2025

VanEck Invests in DeFi Real Estate Platform Manifest
24.80

VanEck Ventures co-led Manifest's $2.5 million pre‐seed funding round, investing in a DeFi platform that tokenizes U.S. real estate to enhance transparency, liquidity, and global accessibility in asset management.
+30

Technology and Services Impact

April 7

VanEck’s investment in Manifest promotes the adoption of blockchain technology in asset management. By supporting a tokenized real estate platform, the firm encourages transparency, disintermediation, and liquidity—innovations that contribute to decentralized financial practices and align with progressive, anti-authoritarian economic models.

VanEck Invests in DeFi Real Estate Platform Manifest
+20

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

April 7

The investment demonstrates ethical business practices by supporting innovative financial products that reduce intermediaries, lower fees, and increase overall transparency in real estate finance. Such practices are aligned with efforts to democratize finance and curb authoritarian gatekeeping in traditional asset management.

VanEck Invests in DeFi Real Estate Platform Manifest
FEB

19

2024

SEC Imposes Penalty on VanEck for Incomplete Disclosure
-62.32

The SEC imposed a $1.75 million penalty on VanEck for failing to disclose key details about engaging a social media influencer for the launch of its ETF, raising serious concerns about its business practices and transparency.
-70

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 26

VanEck Associates Corporation failed to properly disclose material information regarding the planned involvement of a social media influencer in promoting its VanEck Social Sentiment ETF. This lack of transparency and subsequent misrepresentation to its board undermines ethical business practices and erodes investor trust, reflecting poorly on the firm’s corporate governance.

SEC charges VanEck Penalty for incomplete disclosure- SN
FEB

16

2024

SEC Charges Van Eck Associates for Failing Disclosure in ETF Launch
-35.58

Van Eck Associates Corporation agreed to pay a $1.75 million civil penalty after failing to disclose a social media influencer's involvement and a sliding scale fee arrangement in the launch of its VanEck Social Sentiment ETF, raising serious concerns about transparency and ethical business practices.
-40

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 26

The SEC's charges against Van Eck Associates for failing to disclose the involvement of a social media influencer and the associated sliding scale fee arrangement highlights a significant lapse in ethical business practices. This disclosure failure not only undermines investor and board trust but also reflects a broader disregard for corporate transparency—an issue that can indirectly support authoritarian practices by obscuring financial oversight.

SEC Charges Van Eck Associates for Failing to Disclose Influencer’s Role in Connection with ETF Launch
FEB

16

2024

VanEck Fined for Non-Disclosure of Influencer Compensation
-53.37

VanEck Associates Corporation was fined $1.75M by SEC for failing to disclose a sliding scale compensation agreement with a social media influencer during the launch of its VanEck Social Sentiment ETF. This deceptive marketing practice raises serious concerns about the firm’s business practices and ethical responsibility, and further undermines transparency in capital markets.
-60

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 26

By failing to disclose a compensation arrangement with a prominent influencer during the ETF launch, VanEck breached SEC rules and ethical norms expected from financial institutions. This lack of transparency not only misleads investors but also reflects broader issues of corporate irresponsibility and the manipulation inherent in late stage capitalism. Such practices can contribute to an environment where regulatory compliance is weakened, indirectly aiding authoritarian tendencies in corporate and governmental interaction.

VanEck Fined $1.75M Over Dave Portnoy's ETF Role
FEB

16

2024

Settlement with US SEC over ETF marketing violations
-44.47

VanEck Associates Corporation agreed to a $1.75 million settlement with the SEC after failing to disclose a compensation arrangement with a prominent social media influencer during the marketing of its Social Sentiment ETF, raising concerns over ethical business practices and transparency.
-50

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 26

The SEC settlement over the non-disclosure of an influencer’s compensation tied to the performance of the VanEck Social Sentiment ETF highlights troubling business practices. This lack of transparency and ethical oversight undermines investor trust and reflects corporate behavior that prioritizes profit over responsible, ethical conduct, indirectly reinforcing negative corporate practices that can facilitate authoritarian economic influences.

Van Eck settles with US SEC for $1.75 million over ETF marketing violations
DEC

31

2022

VanEck’s Crypto Outlook and Regulatory Framework Proposal
24.56

VanEck’s head of digital assets research presented a crypto year in review alongside a proposed regulatory framework for custodial stablecoins, emphasizing the importance of neutrality and resistance to financial censorship amid a tumultuous 2022 market. The presentation outlined how cryptocurrencies, particularly bitcoin, serve as a safeguard against increasing financial censorship and authoritarian practices.
+40

Executive Political Engagement

April 7

The event features VanEck’s digital assets head engaging publicly by outlining a regulatory framework that defends neutrality and censorship resistance in finance. This executive-level communication reflects proactive political engagement aimed at empowering financial freedom, which from an anti-fascist perspective promotes resistance to oppressive financial censorship.

VanEck's Crypto Year in Review and 2023 Outlook - Yahoo Finance
+20

Technology and Services Impact

April 7

By addressing the technological dynamics of the cryptocurrency market and proposing clear regulatory measures for stablecoins, VanEck is contributing to an emerging financial innovation that supports censorship resistance and promotes neutrality — key factors in countering authoritarian control over finance.

VanEck's Crypto Year in Review and 2023 Outlook - Yahoo Finance
MAR

15

2021

VanEck admits ETF marketing violation, agrees to SEC fine
-33.19

VanEck Associates Corporation admitted to undisclosed influencer marketing practices during the launch of its Social Sentiment ETF in 2021. The SEC found that the influencer's fee was tied to fund growth, leading to a failure in transparency and a subsequent $1.75 million fine. This ethical lapse reflects poor business practices that undermine regulatory oversight and investor trust.
-50

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 26

VanEck's undisclosed agreement with an influential social media personality during the 2021 launch of its Social Sentiment ETF constitutes a significant breach of ethical business practices. By failing to disclose how the influencer's fee was tied to the fund’s growth, the firm neglected its duty to transparency and proper oversight, which undermines investor trust and regulatory standards. This behavior reflects negatively on its commitment to ethical business practices.

VanEck admits ETF marketing violation, agrees to SEC fine
FEB

16

2021

VanEck Admits ETF Marketing Violation, Settles SEC Fine
-26.36

VanEck admitted its failure to disclose a key detail in its 2021 social media-focused ETF launch, leading to a $1.75 million SEC fine. The undisclosed arrangement tied an influencer's fee to the fund's growth, undermining the board’s oversight and transparency in financial management.
-40

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

April 7

The SEC fine highlights a breach in ethical business practices due to a lack of transparency in disclosing influencer compensation arrangements tied to fund performance. This undermines trust in regulatory compliance and corporate governance, damaging stakeholder accountability.

VanEck admits ETF marketing violation, agrees to SEC fine