Recently, several asset management companies rushed to update their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a bid to be among the first to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the spot price of bitcoin. BlackRock Asset Management, VanEck, Valkyrie Investments, Bitwise Investment Advisers, Invesco Ltd., Fidelity, WisdomTree Investments, and a collaboration between Ark Investments and 21Shares all submitted revised documents outlining their strategies to ensure efficient trading.
The filing deadline’s end-of-year revisions might pave the way for potential launches by January 10, the SEC’s decision date for the Ark/21Shares ETF. Sources familiar with the process hinted that the SEC could greenlight issuers for a launch as early as the following week, with notifications possibly arriving by mid-week.
Bitcoin’s price surge, nearly doubling this year and nearing $42,000, has been fueled partly by expectations of an imminent SEC approval for a spot bitcoin ETF. If regulators give the green light, they could notify issuers as soon as next week, potentially initiating a significant change in the crypto investment landscape.
Some details emerged from the filings, like Valkyrie’s plan to impose a management fee of 0.80% on its ETF if approved. Similarly, Ark, 21Shares, Fidelity, and Invesco unveiled their proposed fees, signaling potential variations in cost among the offerings. Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund stands out with its intention to charge only 0.39%, positioning itself as one of the most cost-effective options.
Despite this flurry of activity, the road to securing SEC approval for spot bitcoin ETFs has been arduous. Over the past decade, the regulator has rejected numerous attempts due to concerns about market manipulation and investor protection. Notably, the SEC has only approved cryptocurrency ETFs tied to futures contracts on bitcoin and ethereum, traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Nevertheless, companies like Grayscale Investments and Hashdex, seeking to convert existing products into spot bitcoin ETFs, submitted their updates earlier in the month, adding to the growing anticipation within the market.
As the industry eagerly awaits the SEC’s decision, the potential approval of these spot bitcoin ETFs could signify a groundbreaking moment, offering investors more accessible and varied avenues to engage with cryptocurrencies through traditional investment channels.
And as we approach the end of the year, this development hints at a promising start for 2024, setting the stage for a potentially transformative period in the crypto investment landscape.