“The imminent arrival of Spot Bitcoin ETFs heralds a groundbreaking milestone in the world of cryptocurrency, poised to revolutionize investment options and pave the way for mainstream adoption.”
Ten years have passed since the Winklevoss twins first applied for a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), but the U.S. market still does not have one. However, there are signs that this may soon change. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been hesitant to approve a spot bitcoin ETF due to concerns about the lack of regulation in crypto markets and the potential for manipulation. But the approval of the first bitcoin futures ETF in 2021 showed a crack in the SEC’s stance. While futures-based bitcoin ETFs have their drawbacks, such as roll costs and fund fees, they have still gained popularity. Calls for a spot bitcoin ETF intensified when BlackRock filed for one in 2023, followed by other issuers. Grayscale Investments even sued the SEC over its rejection of its spot bitcoin ETF filing, and the court ruled in favor of Grayscale. This has sparked optimism for the approval of a spot bitcoin ETF. Currently, the SEC seems poised to approve the first spot bitcoin ETF, and the first deadline for approval or denial is in January 2024. However, the SEC may take its time to build out the necessary infrastructure to regulate bitcoin trading on stock exchanges. While rumors abound, such as the SEC needing a new reason to reject filings or increased engagement with issuers, it is important to separate fact from fiction. Investors should be cautious and not make investment decisions based on unsourced tweets or rumors. The extreme volatility and speculative nature of bitcoin should be considered, and investors should only invest what they are willing to lose. If a spot bitcoin ETF is approved, it would offer a better option than existing bitcoin funds, with cheaper fees and tighter tracking of the price of bitcoin. However, only time will tell if bitcoin is a worthy investment.
