Centralized cryptocurrency trade and lending platform BlockFi is next in line to file for a Bitcoin ETF with the SEC. Nonetheless, this ETF is meant to be backed by laborious Bitcoin holdings, quite than futures contracts.
The BlockFi NB Bitcoin ETF
According to firm documents filed earlier at this time, the “BlockFi NB Bitcoin ETF” (Ticker: BBBB) will issue shares that mirror the efficiency of Bitcoin held by the belief. It would direct a yet-unnamed custodian to buy or sell bitcoin on its behalf, with a purpose to pay bills or redeem shares. Every share can be priced daily based mostly on Coin Metrics’ real-time reference charge on Bitcoin’s present worth.
This contrasts with the Bitcoin ETFs which have been accredited in the US thus far. Each the ProShares and Valkyries Bitcoin ETFs are backed by futures contracts, upon which they’ve a month-to-month holding restrict. Primarily based on its opening day success, the ProShares ETF approached that restrict inside days of its launch.
The Odds
Until now, all attempts at an ETF backed by physical Bitcoin have been denied. SEC chair Gary Gensler has repeatedly proven favorability in the direction of Futures ETFs on account of their regulatory protections. Nonetheless, the success of the primary Bitcoin futures ETFs last month might encourage confidence within the SEC to take the following step.
BlockFi isn’t the one one nonetheless attempting, both. VanEck filed for the same product, and Grayscale seeks to show its large Bitcoin fund right into a publicly-traded ETF. According to Bloomberg analyst James Seyfart, the SEC’s decision on Vaneck’s spot Bitcoin fund is due on November 14th.
Though the SEC continues hesitating, its worldwide counterparts are proving much more welcoming. Last month, Australian regulators issued guidelines on Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs, signaling openness to the product. In the meantime, the United States’ Canadian neighbors had been the primary nation to approve a Bitcoin ETF – and now houses multiple.
Source: Cryptopotato
