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Organization and Description of Business
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization and Description of Business
1. Organization and Description of Business
WisdomTree Investments, Inc., through its global subsidiaries (collectively, “WisdomTree” or the “Company”), is an exchange traded product (“ETP”) sponsor and asset manager headquartered in New York. WisdomTree offers ETPs covering equity, commodity, fixed income,
leveraged-and-inverse,
currency and alternative strategies. The Company has the following wholly-owned operating subsidiaries:
 
WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.
is a New York based investment adviser registered with the SEC, providing investment advisory and other management services to the WisdomTree Trust (“WTT”) and WisdomTree exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The WisdomTree ETFs are issued in the U.S. by WTT. WTT, a
non-consolidated
third party, is a Delaware statutory trust registered with the SEC as an
open-end
management investment company. The Company has licensed to WTT the use of certain of its own indexes on an exclusive basis for the WisdomTree ETFs in the U.S.
 
WisdomTree Management Jersey Limited
(“ManJer”), formerly ETFS Management Company (Jersey) Limited, is a Jersey based management company providing management services to seven issuers (the “ManJer Issuers”) in respect of the ETPs issued and listed by the ManJer Issuers covering commodity, currency and
leveraged-and-inverse
strategies.
 
WisdomTree Multi Asset Management Limited
(“WTMAML”), formerly Boost Management Limited, is a Jersey based management company providing management services to WisdomTree Multi Asset Issuer PLC (“WMAI”) in respect of ETPs issued by WMAI. WMAI, a
non-consolidated
third party, is a public limited company domiciled in Ireland.
 
WisdomTree Management Limited
(“WML”)
is an Ireland based management company providing management services to WisdomTree Issuer plc (“WTI”) in respect of the WisdomTree UCITS ETFs issued by WTI. WTI, a
non-consolidated
third party, is a public limited company domiciled in Ireland.
 
WisdomTree UK Limited
(“WTUK”)
is a U.K. based company registered with the Financial Conduct Authority currently providing distribution and support services to ManJer, WTMAML and WML.
 
WisdomTree Europe Limited
is a U.K. based company which is the legacy distributor of the WMAI ETPs and WisdomTree UCITS ETFs. These services are now provided directly by WTUK. WisdomTree Europe Limited is no longer regulated and does not provide any regulated services.
 
WisdomTree Ireland Limited
is an Ireland based company authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland providing distribution services to ManJer, WTMAML and WML.
 
WisdomTree Asset Management Canada, Inc.
(“WTAMC”) is a Canada based investment fund manager registered with the Ontario Securities Commission providing fund management services to locally-listed WisdomTree Canadian ETFs.
 
WisdomTree Commodity Services, LLC
(“WTCS”) is a New York based company that serves as the managing owner and commodity pool operator of the WisdomTree Continuous Commodity Index Fund. WTCS is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is a member of the National Futures Association.
Acquisition of ETFS
On April 11, 2018, the Company acquired the European exchange-traded commodity, currency and
leveraged-and-inverse
business (“ETFS”) of ETFS Capital Limited (“ETFS Capital”, formerly known as ETF Securities Limited). This acquisition is referred to throughout the consolidated financial statements as the ETFS Acquisition. See Note 3 for additional information.
Restructuring of Distribution Strategy in Japan
In July 2018, the Company determined to restructure its distribution strategy in Japan and has expanded its existing relationship with Premia Partners Company Limited to manage distribution of the Company’s ETFs in Japan. As a result, WisdomTree Japan Inc. (“WTJ”) has ceased operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, WTJ was liquidated and the foreign currency translation adjustment of $397 previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income was recognized in other gains and losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
WTJ reported operating losses during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 of $85 and $1,342, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 of $550 and $3,698, respectively. WTJ also recognized an impairment expense of $572 in connection with the termination of its office lease during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.