Key Takeaways
Grayscale has confirmed its plans to establish a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund.
The firm says it will file an application to convert its Bitcoin trust fund into an ETF.
Grayscale’s ambitions to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF may face resistance from the SEC.
Grayscale will soon apply to turn GBTC into an ETF.
Largest Bitcoin Fund Operator Plans ETF
Grayscale Investments has confirmed that it intends to apply to convert its Bitcoin trust offering into a Bitcoin ETF product.
A spokesperson for the company revealed that it decided to file for an ETF after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the top financial regulator in the U.S., greenlit the first Bitcoin ETF application filed by ProShares.
The approval of an ETF based on Bitcoin has been called a watershed moment for the crypto industry that will help legitimize the asset class among traditional investors. The authorized ETF product’s underlying value is tied to futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and is scheduled to launch tomorrow on the New York Stock Exchange.
In a Twitter thread, Jennifer Rosenthal, communications director at Grayscale, said the firm previously had been waiting for some formal indication from the SEC. “Today, I’m happy to confirm that Grayscale will file for GBTC to be converted into an ETF as soon as there’s a clear, formal indication from the SEC,” Rosenthal said.
Unlike the recent ETF filings tracking futures derivatives, Grayscale will aim at an ETF that is physically backed, also known as a spot ETF. If approved, it could be the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF to hit the U.S. stock market.
Grayscale currently allows investors to have exposure to Bitcoin through a private trust called Grayscale Bitcoin (GBTC) that issues shares traded on the U.S. stock market. It has over $38.6 billion allocated to GBTC out of a total of $52.6 in billion assets under management.
While GBTC has long been an important investment vehicle in the crypto space, it has drawbacks relating to its high costs of entry.
Because of the way GBTC’s product is structured, its shares often trade at a premium or discount. By moving to an ETF product, Grayscale us aiming to eliminate the price difference. Hence, Grayscale’s move to ETF would allow for better pricing and make Bitcoin exposure available to a wider class of institutional investors.
Rosenthal added Grayscale planned to file a specific document with regulators called a 19B-4 to convert their GBTC trust fund into an ETF next week. After the request, the SEC will have a 75-day time window to review the application.
However, Grayscale’s ambitions to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF may face resistance from the SEC. The agency’s chairman, Gary Gensler, has previously said that he is more comfortable with futures-based ETFs. According to Gensler, futures-based Bitcoin ETFs offer better investor protection.
This news was brought to you by Phemex, our preferred Derivatives Partner.
The information on or accessed through this website is obtained from independent sources we believe to be accurate and reliable, but Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to the timeliness, completeness, or accuracy of any information on or accessed through this website. Decentral Media, Inc. is not an investment advisor. We do not give personalized investment advice or other financial advice. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. Some or all of the information on this website may become outdated, or it may be or become incomplete or inaccurate. We may, but are not obligated to, update any outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information.
You should never make an investment decision on an ICO, IEO, or other investment based on the information on this website, and you should never interpret or otherwise rely on any of the information on this website as investment advice. We strongly recommend that you consult a licensed investment advisor or other qualified financial professional if you are seeking investment advice on an ICO, IEO, or other investment. We do not accept compensation in any form for analyzing or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or commodities.
See full terms and conditions.
Grayscale Advances Bitcoin ETF Plans With New Hire
Grayscale Investments has hired a new global head of exchange-traded funds to lead the conversion of the company’s GBTC trust into a Bitcoin ETF. Grayscale Hires Global Head of ETFs…
First U.S. Bitcoin Futures ETF Set to Go Live on Monday
News
Oct. 15, 2021
The first-ever Bitcoin futures ETF in the United States is set to go live next week, according to a new SEC filing. ProShares’ ETF Has Likely Been Approved The exchange-traded…
Bitcoin Futures Open Interest Soars Ahead of NYSE ETF Launch
Open interest in Bitcoin futures has hit an all-time high on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. ProShares is due to list the first Bitcoin futures ETF on the New York Stock…
How to Trade Using the Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern
In stock or cryptocurrency trading, you may have heard of the term “inverse head and shoulders.” Also known as the “head and shoulders bottom” formation, the inverse head and shoulders chart pattern can…
