SEC Rejects NYDIG, Global X Spot Bitcoin ETF Applications

The U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has denied NYDIG and Global X’s applications to list spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to separate filings dated March 10.

• The SEC had extended its review period to receive and review comments on NYDIG’s spot ETF product, and has now concluded it didn’t meet sufficient criteria, citing concerns around fraud, manipulation and valuation methodology.
• The rejections come as no surprise as SEC Chair Gary Gensler has indicated multiple times that he prefers to see a bitcoin futures ETF over one that holds bitcoin directly.
• The SEC has recently rejected applications for spot bitcoin ETFs from Fidelity, First Trust, Kryptoin, Van Eck and WisdomTree.

Read more: SEC Asks Bitwise to Address Concerns About Proposed Spot Bitcoin ETF

UPDATE (March 11, 15:14 UTC): Adds context in second bullet point.