Tidal
Trust III 485BPOS
Exhibit
99.(d)(xxvii)
INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This
Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of September 11, 2025, by and between Tidal Trust III,
a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of each series of the Trust listed on Schedule A attached
hereto, as may be amended from time to time (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and
Tidal Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).
BACKGROUND
| A. | The
Trust has been organized and operates as an open-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)
and engages in the business of investing and reinvesting Fund assets in securities and other
investments. Each Fund is a series of the Trust having separate assets and liabilities. |
| B. | The
Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended (the “Advisers Act”), and engages in the business of providing
investment advisory services. |
| C. | The
Trust has selected the Adviser to serve as the investment adviser for each Fund listed on
Schedule A. |
TERMS
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and each of the
parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as follows:
1. Advisory
Services.
| 1.1. | The
Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby appoints the Adviser to manage the investment and reinvestment
of such Fund’s assets, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Trust’s
Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the officers of the Trust, for the
period and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Adviser hereby accepts such appointment
and agrees during such period to render the services and assume the obligations herein set
forth for the compensation herein provided. |
| 1.2. | The
Adviser shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor, and shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided and authorized, have no authority to act for or to represent
the Trust or a Fund in any way, or in any way be deemed an agent of the Trust or a Fund.
The Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what securities (and other financial instruments)
shall be purchased for each Fund, what securities (and other financial instruments) shall
be held, exchanged or sold by each Fund and what portion of each Fund’s assets shall
be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and each Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional
information each, as may be amended from time to time, as set forth in the Trust’s
registration statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”)
under the 1940 Act, and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933
Act”), covering
Fund shares, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and to the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions of each Fund, as shall be from time to time in effect, and such other limitations, policies and procedures
as the Board may reasonably impose from time to time and provide in writing to the Adviser (the “Investment Policies”).
To carry out such obligations, the Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act for each Fund in the same manner and with the same
force and effect as each Fund itself might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect
to all other such things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or other transactions. |
| 1.3. | No
reference in this Agreement to the Adviser having full discretionary authority over each
Fund’s investments shall in any way limit the right of the Board, in its sole discretion,
to establish or revise policies in connection with the management of a Fund’s assets
or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of the Trust and each
Fund. The Adviser acknowledges that the Board retains ultimate authority over each Fund and
may take any and all actions necessary and reasonable to protect the interests of Fund shareholders. |
2. Selection
of Sub-Adviser(s). The Adviser shall have the authority hereunder to engage, terminate and replace one or more sub-advisers, including
an affiliated person (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Adviser (each, a “Sub-Adviser”), for each Fund referenced
in Schedule A to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible pursuant to this Agreement. The Adviser
shall supervise the activities of the Sub-Adviser(s), and the retention of a Sub-Adviser by the Adviser shall not relieve the Adviser
of its responsibilities under this Agreement. Any such Sub-Adviser shall be registered and in good standing with the SEC and capable
of performing its sub-advisory duties pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement approved by the Board and, except as otherwise permitted by
the 1940 Act or by rule, regulation or Order of the SEC, a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable
Fund. The Adviser will compensate each Sub-Adviser for its services to each applicable Fund.
3.
Representations of the Adviser.
| 3.1. | The
Adviser shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering the advice and services to each
Fund as contemplated by this Agreement. |
| 3.2. | The
Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall
provide prior written notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance
policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be made on its insurance
policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall upon reasonable request provide the Trust with any
information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance. |
| 3.3. | The
Adviser shall implement and maintain a business continuity plan and policies and procedures
reasonably designed to prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats and to implement
such internal controls and other safeguards with a goal of safeguarding each Fund’s
confidential information and the nonpublic personal information of Fund shareholders.
The Adviser shall promptly notify the Trust upon the Adviser’s discovery of any material violations or breaches of such policies
and procedures. |
| 3.4. | None
of the Adviser, its affiliates, or any officer, manager, partner or employee of the Adviser
or its affiliates is subject to any event set forth in Section 9 of the 1940 Act that
would disqualify the Adviser from acting as an investment adviser to an investment company
under the 1940 Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust upon its discovery of the
occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser
to an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise. |
| 3.5. | The
Adviser will not engage in any futures transactions, options on futures transactions or transactions
in other commodity interests on behalf of a Fund prior to the Adviser becoming registered
or filing a notice of exemption on behalf of the Fund with the National Futures Association. |
4. Compliance.
The Adviser agrees to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Commodity Exchange Act and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable,
and any exemptive relief therefrom, as well as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and case law that
relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a registered investment adviser and
to maintain all licenses and registrations necessary to perform its duties hereunder in good order. The Adviser also agrees to comply
with the objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, of the Fund(s), and
with any policies, guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board and provided to the Adviser, and with any requirements
applicable to the Fund of any national securities exchange on which the Fund’s shares are listed. In selecting each Fund’s
portfolio securities and performing the Adviser’s obligations hereunder, the Adviser shall cause each Fund to comply with the diversification
and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for
qualification as a regulated investment company if the Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code.
The Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate to ensure its compliance with the foregoing.
No supervisory activity undertaken by the Board shall limit the Adviser’s full responsibility for any of the foregoing.
5. Proxy
Voting. The Board has the authority to determine how proxies with respect to securities that are held by each Fund shall be voted,
and the Board has initially determined to delegate the authority and responsibility to vote proxies for each Fund’s securities
to the Adviser. So long as proxy voting authority for a Fund has been delegated to the Adviser, the Adviser shall exercise its proxy
voting responsibilities. The Adviser shall carry out such responsibility in accordance with any instructions that the Board shall provide
from time to time, and at all times in a manner consistent with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act and its fiduciary responsibilities
to the Trust. The Adviser shall provide periodic reports and keep records relating to proxy voting as the Board may reasonably request
or as may be necessary for each Fund to comply with the 1940 Act and other applicable law. Any such delegation of proxy voting responsibility
to the Adviser may be revoked or modified by the Board at any time. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that
the Adviser may delegate its responsibility to vote proxies for a Fund to the Fund’s Sub-Adviser(s).
6. Brokerage.
| 6.1. | The
Adviser shall arrange for the placing and execution of Fund orders for the purchase and sale
of portfolio securities with broker-dealers. Subject to seeking the best price and execution
reasonably available, the Adviser is authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale
of portfolio securities for a Fund with such broker-dealers as it may select from time to
time. Subject to Section 6.2 below, the Adviser is also authorized to place transactions
with brokers who provide research or statistical information or analyses to such Fund, to
the Adviser, or to any other client for which the Adviser provides investment advisory services.
The Adviser also agrees that it will cooperate with the Trust to allocate brokerage transactions
to brokers or dealers who provide benefits directly to a particular Fund; provided, however,
that such allocation comports with applicable law including, without limitation, Rule 12b-1(h)
under the 1940 Act. |
| 6.2. | Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 6.1 above and subject to such policies and procedures as may
be adopted by the Board and officers of the Trust and consistent with Section 28(e)
of the 1934 Act, the Adviser is authorized to cause a Fund to pay a member of an exchange,
broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged
for effecting that transaction, in such instances where the Adviser has determined in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage
and research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either
that particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect
to such Fund and to other funds or clients for which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. |
| 6.3. | The
Adviser is authorized to direct portfolio transactions to a broker that is an affiliated
person of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser or a Fund in accordance with such standards and procedures
as may be approved by the Board in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, or
other rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC. Any transaction placed with an affiliated
broker must (i) be placed at best execution, and (ii) may not be a principal transaction. |
| 6.4. | The
Adviser is authorized to aggregate or “bunch” purchase or sale orders for a Fund
with orders for various other clients when it believes that such action is in the best interests
of such Fund and all other such clients. In such an event, allocation of the securities purchased
or sold will be made by the Adviser in accordance with the Adviser’s written policy. |
7. Records/Reports.
| 7.1. | Recordkeeping.
The Adviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to each Fund, except as
otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for the Adviser to supply to the Trust, including the Trust’s chief compliance
officer (the “Chief Compliance Officer”), or the Board the information required to be supplied under this
Agreement. |
| 7.2. | The
Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records of all matters pertaining to Fund
assets advised by the Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than
those records being maintained by any administrator, sub-administrator, custodian or transfer
agent appointed by the Trust) relating to its responsibilities provided hereunder with respect
to the Fund(s) and other such records as may be required by law including, but not limited
to, Rule 31a-4 of the 1940 Act, and shall preserve such records for the periods and in a
manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, or other applicable provisions
of the 1940 Act (the “Fund Books and Records”). The Fund Books and Records
shall be available to the Board and the Chief Compliance Officer at any time upon request,
shall be delivered to the Trust upon the termination of this Agreement and shall be available
without delay during any day the Trust is open for business. |
| 7.3. | Holdings
Information and Pricing. The Adviser shall provide regular reports regarding Fund holdings,
and shall furnish the Trust and the Board from time to time with whatever information the
Adviser, or the Board believes is appropriate for this purpose. The Adviser agrees to provide
such valuation reports and pricing information, of which the Adviser is aware, that the Board
shall require in connection with the Board’s responsibilities under Rule 2a-5, to the
Trust, the Board, and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of the fair
value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not readily available or as otherwise
required in accordance with the 1940 Act or the Trust’s valuation procedures. |
| 7.4. | Cooperation
with Agents of the Trust. The Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable
assistance to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer, any Trust custodian or foreign sub-custodians,
any Trust pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust, such information
with respect to each Fund as they may reasonably request from time to time in the performance
of their obligations, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons
and establish appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of
information and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. |
| 7.5. | Information
and Reporting. The Adviser shall provide the Trust and its respective officers with such
periodic reports concerning the obligations the Adviser has assumed under this Agreement
as the Trust may from time to time reasonably request. |
| 7.6. | Notification
of Breach/Compliance Reports. The Adviser shall promptly notify the Trust of (i) any
material failure to manage any Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies
or any applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of a Fund’s or the Adviser’s
policies, guidelines or procedures. The Adviser agrees to correct any such failure promptly
and to take any action that the Board may reasonably request in connection with any such
breach. Upon request, the Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with supporting
certifications in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and the
Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures adopted pursuant to the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇
Act of 2002 (the “▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act”), and the implementing regulations
adopted thereunder, and agrees to inform the Trust of any material development related to a Fund that the Adviser reasonably believes
is relevant to the Fund’s certification obligations under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act. The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in
the event (i) the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law
or in equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which
a Fund is a member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund’s ownership of shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the
Adviser with the federal or state securities laws or (ii) an actual change in control of the Adviser resulting in an “assignment”
(as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise proposed to occur. |
| 7.7. | Board
and Filings Information. The Adviser will also provide the Trust with any information
reasonably requested regarding its management of the Fund(s) required for any meeting of
the Board, or for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, proxy statement,
or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the SEC. The Adviser will make its
officers and employees available to meet with the Board from time to time on reasonable notice
to review its investment management services to the Fund(s) in light of current and prospective
economic and market conditions and shall furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably
be requested by the Board under Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act in order for the Board
to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto. |
| 7.8. | Transaction
Information. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust such information concerning portfolio
transactions as may be necessary to enable the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer or their
designated agents to perform such compliance testing on each Fund and the Adviser’s
services as the Trust or its Chief Compliance Officer may determine to be appropriate. The
provision of such information by the Adviser to the Trust or its designated agent in no way
relieves the Adviser of its own responsibilities under this Agreement. |
8. Code
of Ethics. The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1
under the 1940 Act, which it will provide to the Trust. The Adviser shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the Adviser’s
Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request,
the Adviser shall provide the Trust with (i) a copy of the Adviser’s current Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time,
and (ii) a certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct
prohibited by the Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Annually, the Adviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements
of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Adviser’s Code of Ethics to the Trust. The Adviser shall respond to requests for information
from the Trust as to violations of the Code of Ethics by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Adviser. The Adviser shall immediately
notify the Trust of any material violation of the Code of Ethics, whether or not such violation relates to a security held by any Fund.
9. Members
and Employees. Members and employees of the Adviser may be trustees, officers or employees of the Trust.
10. Custody.
Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Adviser to take or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of
a Fund.
11. Unitary
Fee. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall bear its own costs of providing services under this Agreement. The Adviser
agrees to pay all expenses incurred by the Trust and each Fund (except for advisory fees payable to the Adviser under this Agreement)
pursuant to this Agreement, excluding interest charges on any borrowings, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, taxes,
brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments,
acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, distribution fees and expenses paid by the Fund under any distribution
plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and litigation expenses, and other non-routine or extraordinary expenses.
| 12.1. | As
compensation for the services to be rendered to the Fund(s) by the Adviser under the provisions
of this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, shall pay to the Adviser from a Fund’s
assets an annual advisory fee equal to the amount of the daily average net assets of such
Fund shown on Schedule A attached hereto, payable on a monthly basis. |
| 12.2. | The
initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on the first business day of the first
month following the effective date of this Agreement with respect to a Fund and shall be
prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Fund prior
to the end of any calendar month, the advisory fee shall be prorated for the portion of any
month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of
calendar days, during which the Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days
in the month, and shall be payable within 30 days after the date of termination. |
| 12.3. | The
Adviser shall look exclusively to the assets of each Fund for payment of that Fund’s
advisory fee. |
| 12.4. | The
Adviser may voluntarily or contractually waive the Adviser’s own advisory fee. |
13. Non-Exclusivity.
The services to be rendered by the Adviser to the Trust on behalf of a Fund under the provisions of this Agreement are not to be deemed
to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar or different services to others so long as its ability to render the
services provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, the Adviser, its members, employees
and agents may engage in other businesses, may render investment advisory services to other investment companies, or to any other corporation,
association, firm, entity or individual, and may render underwriting services to the Trust on behalf of a Fund or to any other investment
company, corporation, association, firm, entity or individual. Likewise, the Trust may from time to time employ other individuals or
entities to furnish other separate series of the Trust with the services provided for herein.
14. Liability
and Standard of Care.
| 14.1. | The
Adviser shall exercise due care and diligence and use the same skill and care in providing
its services hereunder as it uses in providing services to other investment companies,
accounts and customers, but the Adviser and its affiliates and their respective agents, control persons, directors, officers, employees,
supervised persons and access persons shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, federal securities
laws and certain state laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who have acted in good faith, and therefore nothing
herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of any right which the Trust, a Fund or any shareholder of a Fund may have
under any federal securities law or state law the applicability of which is not permitted to be contractually waived. |
| 14.2. | The
Adviser shall indemnify the Trust, each Fund and each of their respective affiliates, agents,
control persons, directors, members of the Board, officers, employees and shareholders (the
“Adviser Indemnified Parties”) against, and hold them harmless from, any costs,
expense, claim, loss, liability, judgment, fine, settlement or damage (including reasonable
legal and other expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of any claim,
demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative)
asserted or threatened to be asserted by any third party (collectively, “Proceedings”)
in so far as such Loss (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based upon (i) any
material misstatement or omission of a material fact in information regarding the Adviser
furnished to the Trust by the Adviser for use in the Registration Statement, proxy materials
or reports filed with the SEC; or (ii) the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of obligations or duties of the Adviser in the performance of its duties
under this Agreement (collectively, “Adviser Disabling Conduct”). |
| 14.3. | The
Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and its members, trustees, officers and
employees of the other party (any such person, an “Adviser Indemnified Party”)
against any Losses arising out of any Proceedings in so far as such Loss or actions with
respect thereto, arise out of, or is based upon the Trust’s performance or non-performance
of any duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed
to protect any Adviser Indemnified Party against any portion of liability that is attributable
to Adviser Disabling Conduct. |
| 14.4. | Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Adviser, its affiliates and their respective
agents, control persons, directors, partners, officers, employees, supervised persons and
access persons shall not be liable to, nor shall they have any indemnity obligation to, the
Trust, its officers, directors, agents, employees, controlling persons or shareholders or
to a Fund or any Fund shareholders for: (i) any material misstatement or omission of
a material fact in a Fund’s Registration Statement, proxy materials or reports filed
with the SEC, unless and to the extent such material misstatement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and is consistent with, the information furnished to the Trust by the Adviser
specifically for use therein; (ii) any action taken or failure to act in good faith
reliance upon (A) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with
respect to a Fund made to the Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Trust who is not
an affiliated person of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser; (B) the
advice of counsel to the Trust; or (C) any written instruction of the Board; provided,
however, that the limitations on the Adviser’s liability and indemnification obligations
described in (i) through
(ii) above shall not apply with respect to, and to the extent, any portion of liability is attributable to Adviser Disabling Conduct. |
| 14.5. | The
Adviser shall not be deemed by virtue of this Agreement to have made any representation or
warranty that any level of investment performance or level of investment results, either
relative or absolute, will be achieved. |
| 14.6. | For
the avoidance of doubt, neither Fund shareholders nor the members of the Board shall be personally
liable under this Agreement. |
15. Term/Approval/Amendments.
| 15.1. | This
Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of the date of commencement of
operations of the Fund if approved by (i) the Board, including a majority of the Trustees
who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of such party (the “Independent
Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval (or in another manner permitted by the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief
therefrom); and (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
a Fund (to the extent required under the 1940 Act). It shall continue in effect with respect
to the Fund for an initial period of two years thereafter, and may be renewed annually thereafter
only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved as required by the
1940 Act (currently, at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund and only if the terms and the renewal hereof have been approved
by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval, or in another manner permitted by the 1940 Act
or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom). |
| 15.2. | No
material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless the terms thereof have been
approved as required by the 1940 Act (currently, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund unless such shareholder approval would not be required under
applicable interpretations by the staff of the SEC, and by the vote of a majority of Independent
Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval or
in another manner permitted by the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom). The
modification of any of the non-material terms of this Agreement may be approved by the vote,
cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose or in another manner permitted by the
1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom, of a majority of the Independent Trustees. |
| 15.3. | In
connection with such renewal or amendment, the Adviser shall furnish such information as
may be reasonably necessary for the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement and any
amendment thereto. |
| 15.4. | Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment
of a penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser of the Trust’s intention
to do so, pursuant to action by the Board or pursuant to a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund. The Adviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without
the payment of penalty, on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust of its intention
to do so. Upon termination of this Agreement, the obligations of all the parties hereunder shall cease and terminate as of the date of
such termination, except for any obligation to respond for a breach of this Agreement committed prior to such termination, and except
for the obligation of the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, to pay to the Adviser the fee provided in Section 12. |
| 15.5. | This
Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in Section 2(a)(4)
of the 1940 Act) unless the parties hereto, by agreement, obtain an exemption from the SEC
from the provisions of the 1940 Act pertaining to the subject matter of this subsection.
If the Adviser enters into a definitive agreement that would result in an assignment (as
defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act) of this Agreement by the Adviser, the Adviser
agrees to give the Trust the lesser of sixty days’ written notice or such notice as
is reasonably practicable before consummating the transaction. |
| 16. | Use
of the Adviser’s Name. |
| 16.1. | The
parties agree that the name of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, the names of any affiliates
of the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser and any derivative or logo or trademark or service mark or
trade name are the valuable property of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective
affiliates, as applicable. The Trust shall have the right to use such name(s), derivatives,
logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names only with the prior written approval of
the Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed so long as this
Agreement is in effect. |
| 16.2. | Upon
termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall forthwith cease to use such name(s), derivatives,
logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names identified in section 16.1 above. If the
Trust makes any unauthorized use of the Adviser’s or any Sub-Adviser’s names,
derivatives, logos, trademarks or service marks or trade names, the parties acknowledge that
the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser(s) shall suffer irreparable harm for which monetary damages
may be inadequate and thus, the Adviser shall be entitled to injunctive relief, as well as
any other remedy available under law. |
17. Nonpublic
Personal Information. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Adviser agrees on behalf of itself and its managers,
members, shareholders, officers, and employees (1) to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust (a) all
records and other information relative to each Fund’s prior, present, or potential shareholders (and clients of said shareholders)
and (b) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P (“Regulation S-P”),
promulgated under the ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Act (the “G-L-B Act”), and (2) except after prior notification to and approval
in writing by the Trust, not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and
duties hereunder, or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the G-L-B Act, and if in compliance therewith, the privacy policies
adopted by the Trust and communicated in writing to the Adviser. Such written approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Trust
and may not be withheld where the Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt or other proceedings for failure to comply after
being requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities.
18. Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance. The Adviser acknowledges that, in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA PATRIOT Act, and
any implementing regulations thereunder (together, “AML Laws”), the Trust has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Policy. The
Adviser agrees to comply with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the AML Laws, to the extent the same may apply to the
Adviser, now and in the future. The Adviser further agrees to provide to the Trust, the Trust’s administrator, sub-administrator
and/or the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer such reports, certifications and contractual assurances as may be reasonably
requested by the Trust. The Trust may disclose information regarding the Adviser to governmental and/or regulatory or self-regulatory
authorities to the extent required by applicable law or regulation and may file reports with such authorities as may be required by applicable
law or regulation.
19. Successors.
This Agreement shall extend to and bind the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties hereto.
20. Meanings.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested
persons” and “assignment” shall have the meaning defined in the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder; subject,
however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the SEC staff.
21. Entire
Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement represents the entire agreement among the parties with regard to the investment management
matters described herein and may not be added to or changed orally and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by
the parties hereto except as otherwise noted herein.
22. Enforceability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective
to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of
this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in or contemplated by any provisions of this Agreement is altered by a rule,
regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of
such rule, regulation or order.
23. Limited
Recourse. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect,
and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer
or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust’s
Certificate of Trust, as amended from time to time, is on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Such
Certificate of Trust and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust describe in detail the respective responsibilities and
limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.
24. Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the state of Delaware and the Adviser consents
to the jurisdiction of courts, both state or federal, in Delaware, with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
25. Paragraph
Headings. The headings of paragraphs contained in this Agreement are provided for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement
and shall not affect its construction.
26. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
27.
No Third Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement is not intended and shall not convey any rights, privileges, claims or remedies to any person other than a party to this
Agreement and its respective successors and permitted assigns.
[Signature
Page Follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers on the day and year first
written above.
| TIDAL
TRUST III |
| |
|
|
| On
behalf of each series listed on Schedule A attached hereto |
| |
|
|
| By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
|
| Name: |
▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
|
| Title: |
President |
|
| Date: |
September 12, 2025 |
|
| |
|
|
| TIDAL
INVESTMENTS LLC |
| |
|
|
| By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
|
| Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
|
| Title: |
Co-Founder
& Chief of Staff |
|
| Date: |
September 12, 2025 |
|
Schedule
A
to
the
Investment
Advisory Agreement
by
and between
Tidal
Trust III
and
Tidal
Investments LLC
| Fund
Name |
Advisory
Fee |
| NovaTide
Flexible Allocation ETF |
0.59% |