ETF

SEC pushes deadline for decision on Invesco Galaxy spot Ethereum ETF to 2024

The commission had until Dec. 23 to decide or punt on approval or disapproval for the spot crypto investment vehicle.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed its decision on whether to approve or disapprove a spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund, or ETF, proposed by Invesco and Galaxy Digital.

In a Dec. 13 notice, the SEC said it would designate a longer period on whether to approve or disapprove a proposed rule change that would allow the Cboe BZX Exchange to list and trade shares of the Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF.

The proposed spot crypto investment vehicle is one of many being considered by the commission, which to date has never approved an ETF with direct exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) or other cryptocurrencies.

VanEck files 5th amendment to spot Bitcoin ETF under ‘HODL’

Analysts say the ticker code could help avoid negative attention on adviser statements.

Asset manager VanEck filed a fifth amended application for a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) on Dec. 8.

According to the regulator’s database, the amended filing to the S-1 Form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) highlights updates to the VanEck Bitcoin Trust. A spot Bitcoin ETF is an investment vehicle that lets people buy shares in a fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin.

The VanEck ETF is now expected to be listed under “HODL,” which is a misspelling of “hold” or an acronym for “hold on for dear life.” Bitcoiners use the phrase to describe a strategy of buying and never selling the digital asset.

Crypto Biz: BlackRock Bitcoin ETF seed capital, HashKey targets market makers, and more

The countdown is underway for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to decide on the first spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States.

The countdown is underway for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to decide on approving the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States. After several delays, the regulator’s final deadline is approaching, with market participants anticipating a decision in early January 2024.

In another sign that a green light may be forthcoming, companies awaiting approval have regularly met with SEC officials over the past weeks, discussing their proposals and making adjustments as requested.

If approved, the biggest cryptocurrency will be traded on the spot market of Wall Street’s major exchanges, opening up Bitcoin (BTC) to a broader audience of investors, this time as a product backed by the most prominent investment firms in the world. If denied, investment managers will likely appeal the ruling, prolonging the waiting period for investors and Bitcoiners in the United States.

Bitcoin options data shows whales betting big — Will $50K BTC come in January?

Institutional investor interest soars as Bitcoin options open interest hits record high.

Bitcoin (BTC) options open interest reached an unprecedented milestone, surging to a staggering $20.5 billion on Dec. 7. This signifies the active involvement of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space. Unlike futures contracts, BTC options have predetermined expiration prices, offering valuable insights into traders’ expectations and market sentiment.

At the forefront of the Bitcoin options market stands Deribit, boasting a 90% market share. The exchange currently holds a substantial $2.05 billion open interest for options expiring on Jan. 26. However, many of these bets may lose their value as the deadline approaches.

Nonetheless, with the prospect of a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) gaining regulatory approval, previously sidelined bullish bets are reentering the playing field.

Bitcoin price continues to drop, but how are pro BTC traders positioned?

Data shows top traders futures’ Bitcoin long-to-short at the lowest level in 30 days, but what does this mean for BTC’s short-term price action.

Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced a remarkable 15.7% price surge in the first six days of December. This surge has been heavily influenced by the anticipation of an imminent approval of a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States. Senior Bloomberg ETF analysts have expressed a 90% probability for approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is expected before Jan. 10.

However, Bitcoin’s recent price surge may not be as straightforward as it seems. Analysts have failed to consider the multiple rejections at $37,500 and $38,500 during the second half of November. These rejections have left professional traders, including market makers, questioning the market’s strength, particularly from the perspective of derivatives metrics.

Bitcoin’s 7.6% rally to $37,965 on Nov. 15 resulted in disappointment as the movement fully retracted the following day. Similarly, between Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, Bitcoin’s price declined by 5.3% after the $37,500 resistance proved more formidable than anticipated.

SEC discussing ‘key technical details’ with spot crypto ETF applicants: Report

In November, the commission separately met with representatives of BlackRock and Grayscale to discuss their spot crypto exchange-traded funds.

Officials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission are reportedly discussing aspects of Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, proposed by asset managers.

According to a Dec. 7 Reuters report, industry insiders said the SEC and certain asset managers were discussing “key technical details” related to U.S. exchanges listing shares of a spot Bitcoin ETF. To date, the commission has never given the green light to any spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded product, instead postponing decisions on applications for the maximum allowable time.

Memos released by the SEC in November showed the commission separately met with representatives of BlackRock and Grayscale. Both asset managers and Hashdex, ARK 21Shares, Invesco Galaxy, VanEck and Fidelity have filed for spot BTC or Ether (ETH) ETF listings.

Animoca’s Yat Siu bullish on TON partnership as Bitcoin sets strong foundation for 2024

Animoca Brands became the biggest validator of the TON blockchain in 2023, banking on the network effect of Telegram’s 800 million users to drive GameFi adoption.

Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu is confident that a number of investments and partnerships could prove fruitful in 2024 as mainstream institutional interest in Bitcoin (BTC) gathers steam.

Speaking exclusively to Cointelegraph at the Next Block Expo event in Berlin, the chairman of the gaming venture capital firm highlights some 70 investments made in 2023 that are expected to deliver results next year.

SEC pushes deadline to decide on Grayscale spot Ether ETF

The commission said it will have until January 2024 to reach a decision on the spot Ether investment vehicle or institute proceedings to extend the deadline again.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed its decision on whether to approve or disapprove of a spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund, or ETF, offering from asset manager Grayscale.

In a Dec. 5 notice, the SEC said it would designate a longer period on whether to approve or disapprove of a proposed rule change that would allow NYSE Arca to list and trade shares of the Grayscale Ethereum Trust. The commission’s announcement was one of the first following an appellate court ordering the SEC to review Grayscale’s Bitcoin (BTC) ETF offering in October.

“The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change and the issues raised therein,” said the SEC. “Accordingly, the Commission […] designates January 25, 2024, as the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule change.”

Taiwan will review global trends before deciding on crypto ETFs

The Financial Supervisory Commission considers itself to be “in the exploratory phase” for crypto exchange-traded funds.

Taiwan’s principal financial regulator, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), is considering allowing crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the country, but only after analyzing the product’s development in other markets worldwide.

According to a Dec. 5 report in the Taiwanese newspaper, the Commercial Times, the FSC is closely watching developments in the United States, where the Securities and Exchange Commission will review spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs in January.

The FSC also reportedly acknowledged the launch of numerous cryptocurrency futures commodities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, among others.

The FSC intends to gradually liberalize the rules for digital asset trading, but it should rely on “self-discipline and regulation.” According to the report, Taiwanese regulators have repeatedly blocked crypto ETF initiatives by local investment banks in recent years due to the high volatility of cryptocurrencies.

Cointelegraph reached out to the Financial Supervisory Commission for further information.

Crypto regulatory developments have recently accelerated in Taiwan.

BlackRock received $100K seed funds for Bitcoin ETF — SEC filing

BlackRock and other financial giants have entered the race to launch the first spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States.

The world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, received $100,000 in seed funding from an unknown investor for its spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) in October 2023, according to its latest United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

The SEC filing revealed that the investor agreed to purchase 4,000 shares for $100,000 on Oct.

The latest filing by BlackRock also revealed certain details on the asset manager’s plans to pay the sponsor’s fee, where it plans to borrow Bitcoin or cash as trade credit from the trade credit lender on a short-term basis.

The settlement of trade credits will occur on the business day following the execution date, attracting a financing fee of 11% plus the federal funds target rate divided by 365 ((11% + fed funds target)/365).

ETF analyst Eric Balchunas called the new revelations an interesting development in the nerdiest way.

This is so interesting in the nerdiest way.

— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) December 5, 2023

BlackRock was among the first institutional giants to file for a spot Bitcoin ETF in July.