TIDAL ETF TRUST
FINANCIAL OFFICER CODE OF ETHICS
Purposes of the Code
The reputation and integrity of Tidal ETF Trust (the “Trust”) are valuable assets that are vital to the Trust’s success. Each officer and employee of the Trust, including each of the Trust’s senior financial officers (“SFOs”), is responsible for conducting the Trust’s business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. SFOs include the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, comptroller (or principal accounting officer), and any person who performs a similar function.
The Trust has adopted a code of ethics pursuant Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Code of Ethics”). The Trust’s Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics is designed to prevent certain conflicts of interest that may arise when officers, employees, or trustees know about present or future Trust transactions, have the power to influence those transactions; and engage in securities transactions in their personal account(s).
The Trust has chosen to adopt a senior financial officer code of ethics (“SFO Code”) for the purpose of promoting:
| • | Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
| • | Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Trust files with, or submits to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other public communications made by the Trust; |
| • | Compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; |
| • | The prompt internal reporting of violations of the SFO Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the SFO Code; and |
| • | Accountability for adherence to the SFO Code. |
This SFO Code should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s other policy statements, including its Code of Ethics and its Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Principles for the Handling of Financial Information
The Trust has adopted the following principles to govern the manner in which SFOs perform their duties. Persons subject to these guidelines include the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, comptroller (or principal accounting officer), and any Trust officer or employee who performs a similar function or who participates in the preparation of any part of the Trust’s financial statements. Specifically, persons subject to this SFO Code shall:
| • | Act with honesty and integrity; |
| • | Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Trust in personal and professional relationships; |
| • | Provide information to the Trust’s employees and service providers (adviser, administrator, outside auditor, outside counsel, custodian, Tidal ETF) that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely and understandable; |
| • | Endeavor to ensure full, fair, timely, accurate and understandable disclosure in the Trust’s periodic reports; |
| • | Comply with the federal securities laws and other applicable laws and rules, such as the Internal Revenue Code; |
| • | Act in good faith, responsibly, and with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting material facts or subordinating independent judgment to another end; |
| • | Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work, except where disclosure is expressly permitted or is otherwise legally mandated; |
| • | Record (or participate in the recording of) entries in the Trust’s books and records that are accurate; and |
| • | Refrain from using confidential information for personal advantage. |
Violations of the SFO Code
Any action that directly or indirectly contravenes one or more of the Principles outlined above shall be treated as a violation of this SFO Code unless good cause for such apparent contravention is found to exist.
Dishonest or unethical conduct or conduct that is illegal will constitute a per se violation of this SFO Code, regardless of whether this Code refers to that particular conduct.
A violation of this SFO Code may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. The Trust must and will report all suspected criminal violations to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution, and will investigate, address and report as appropriate, non-criminal violations.
Enforcement of the SFO Code
Violations
All persons subject to this SFO Code who observe, learn of, or, in good faith, suspect a current or threatened violation of the SFO Code must immediately report the violation in writing to the Compliance Officer, another member of the Trust’s senior management, or to the Audit Committee of the Board. An example of a possible SFO Code violation is the preparation and filing of financial disclosure that omits material facts, or that is accurate but is written in a way that obscures its meaning.
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Disclosures
All persons subject to this SFO Code shall file a letter (a “Disclosure Letter”) regarding any transaction or relationship that reasonably appears to involve an actual or apparent conflict of interest with the Trust within ten days of becoming aware of such transaction or relationship. A Disclosure Letter should be prepared regarding these transactions or relationships whether you are involved or have only observed the transaction or relationship. All Disclosure Letters shall be submitted to the compliance officer, or if it is not possible to disclose the matter to the compliance officer, then the Disclosure Letter shall be submitted to another member of the Trust’s senior management or to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees.
An executive officer of the Trust or the Audit Committee will review all Disclosure Letters and determine whether further action is warranted. All determinations will be documented in writing and will be maintained by the compliance officer or other appropriate officers of the Trust.
Outside Service Providers
Because service providers to the Trust, such as the administrator, outside accounting firm and custodian, provide much of the work relating to the Trust’s financial statements, you should be alert for actions by service providers that may be illegal, or that could be viewed as dishonest or unethical conduct. You should report these actions to the compliance officer even if you know, or think, that the service provider has its own code of ethics covering persons who are Trust SFOs or employees.
Non-Retaliation Policy
SFOs who report violations or suspected violations in good faith will not be subject to retaliation of any kind. Reported violations will be investigated and addressed promptly and will be treated confidentially to the extent possible.
Annual Certification
SFOs will receive training on the contents and importance of this SFO Code and related policies and the manner in which violations must be reported and how Disclosure Letters must be submitted. Each SFO will be asked to certify on an annual basis that he/she is in full compliance with the SFO Code and any related policy statements.
Questions about the Code
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has designated the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer to be the compliance officer for purposes of implementing and administering this SFO Code. Any questions about this SFO Code should be directed to the compliance officer.
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