What's been going on in the past months?
In recent months, the SEC has delayed a decision on several applications for spot Bitcoin ETFs, which would allow investors to buy and sell Bitcoin at the current market price. Among those claims are those submitted by BlackRock, Ark Invest, Grayscale, WisdomTree, Invesco Galaxy, VanEck, Bitwise and Valkyrie Digital Assets. The SEC has a total of 240 days from the start of the application review to make a final decision on approval or refusal, so we can expect more delays on their part, and the next applications awaiting SEC decisions are those that have deadlines in January 2024. The chances of the SEC approving a spot Bitcoin ETF are still uncertain, as regulators have concerns about possible fraud and manipulation in the cryptocurrency market. However, some analysts and experts feel that BlackRock could have an advantage over other applicants, as it is the world’s largest asset manager and a leading company in the ETFs industry. Also, BlackRock suggested the so-called “surveillance-sharing agreement” with Coinbase, which would help track trading and customer identities. This could allay some of the SEC’s fears and increase the chances of approval. Therefore, BlackRock’s ETF is most likely the first to get permission from the SEC, if the regulator changes its attitude towardspot Bitcoin ETFs. We all know that this approval would have a positive impact on the price, primarily bitcoin, and then other cryptocurrencies, so we hope that the approval will come soon. There is of course also the possibility that this approval coincides with the next Bitcoin halving, and this combination would certainly have a very positive effect on the price.
Source: cointelegraph
We also get Ethereum Spot ETF
After the SEC approved several ETFs that track the price of bitcoin and ethereum based on future contracts, many investors are awaiting the approval of ETFs that track the price of cryptocurrencies based on the current market, the so-called ethereum market. spot ETFs. Among them is BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, who recently decided to file an application for an Ethereum Spot ETF. BlackRock has already filed an application for the Bitcoin Spot ETF, which is still awaiting the SEC3’s decision. BlackRock’s move was interpreted as confirmation that the SEC would soon approve the bitcoin ETF spot, as it would open the door for approval of other spot crypto ETFs, including Ethereum. Many analysts and experts believe that BlackRock has an advantage over other applicants, as it has extensive experience and reputation in the ETF industry, as well as a collaboration with Coinbase, america’s largest crypto exchange, which would guard ethereum for the ETF. If the SEC approves BlackRock’s Ethereum Spot ETF, it could have a major impact on the price of ethereum, but also all applications on ethereum, especially in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi). Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, which at the time of writing this blog was about $ 240 billion, and the price of ethereum itself rose by about 10% after the news of BlackRock’s application, reaching more than $ 2,100 per ethereum.
Source: cointelegraph
A blend of the traditional world of finance and cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency-tracking ETFs, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, are attracting increasing attention and demand, as they offer an easy, secure and regulated way to invest in this sector. Many investors who do not use cryptocurrencies, or are not technically equipped or do not know blockchain well enough to be able to use it, see ETFs as an opportunity to participate in a growing cryptocurrency market without the need to own, store or manage cryptocurrencies. The approval of crypto ETFs by regulators, especially the SEC in the US, is expected to lead to a rise in the price of cryptocurrencies, as it will increase demand, liquidity and confidence in this sector. Also, it could stimulate development and innovation in the crypto industry, as it would attract new players, partners and users . Therefore, crypto ETFs represent a blend of traditional finance and cryptocurrencies, which could have a major impact on the future of both sectors.
Source: cointelegraph
Lack of crypto ETFs
While crypto ETFs offer many advantages for investors and the cryptocurrency market, they also have some disadvantages that can deter some cryptocurrency lovers from using them. One major drawback is that crypto ETFs are not in line with the decentralization and independence philosophy behind cryptocurrencies, as they require trust in third parties, such as ETF issuers, exchanges and regulators. This means that investors who buy crypto ETFs do not own real cryptocurrencies, but only a stake in the fund that accompanies them. Investors in the same cannot control their cryptocurrencies, nor have access to their private keys, which are unique digital signatures that allow cryptocurrencies to be sent and received. All the big believers in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are actually advocating storing cryptocurrencies on their own wallet rather than giving access to the same other people that is, in this case, whoever manages the ETF. This is because they believe this is the only way to ensure security, privacy and independence, and to avoid potential risks such as hacking, theft, censorship, freezing or confiscation of funds by third parties.
Source: cointelegraph
Conclusion
In this blog, we wrote about spot Bitcoin ETFs, which are one of the most anticipated and controversial topics in the crypto world. The SEC has already delayed several times the decision of the application for spot Bitcoin ETFs, filed by various issuers, among them BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. BlackRock has also filed an application for an Ethereum Spot ETF, which would track the price of the second largest cryptocurrency. Many feel that BlackRock has an advantage over the others, as it has extensive experience and reputation in the ETF industry, as well as cooperation with Coinbase. If the SEC approves the spot crypto ETFs, it could have a major impact on the cryptocurrency market and attract new investors to this sector. However, spot crypto ETFs also have some drawbacks, such as a higher risk of volatility, lack of decentralization and independence, and a possible negative impact on demand for real cryptocurrencies. We hope you enjoyed reading today’s blog, we hope you have learned something new, and we would like you to share your opinion on crypto spot ETFs with us on our social networks (Twitter, Instagram).