Share this article

Two More Bitcoin Futures ETFs Are Up for SEC Approval

A growing number of companies are looking to launch ETFs tied to bitcoin derivatives contracts, public records show.

Market

A Maryland-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) firm has filed to launch two new bitcoin futures-based products.

According to a Form S-1 dated September 27, ProShares Capital Management wants to create two bitcoin-tied funds: the ProShares Bitcoin ETF and the ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF. Like other proposed ETFs that have emerged in recent months, ProShares isn’t planning to buy direct stakes in the cryptocurrency; rather, it intends to create exposure through derivatives contracts.

jwp-player-placeholder
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters

Per the filing, ProShares is aiming for a maximum aggregate offering price of $1 million, priced at $25 per share, with a plan to have it listed on the NYSE Arca exchange.

As the filing acknowledges, the market for bitcoin-tied derivatives is still nascent and early-stage.

"Bitcoin futures contracts have only recently been listed for trading and have a very limited trading history. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for bitcoin futures contracts will develop or be maintained," the firm wrote.

Even still, that market is starting to take shape, if not slowly.

Startups like LedgerX and options exchange operators like CBOE have moved to capitalize on interest in such products. On the other hand, major players like CME are keeping their distance, at least for now, in spite of work on intellectual property related to cryptocurrency derivatives.

Disclosure: CME Group is an investor in Digital Currency Group, CoinDesk's parent company.

Image via Shutterstock

Stan Higgins

A member of CoinDesk's full-time Editorial Staff since 2014, Stan has long been at the forefront of covering emerging developments in blockchain technology. Stan has previously contributed to financial websites, and is an avid reader of poetry.

Stan currently owns a small amount (<$500) worth of BTC, ENG and XTZ (See: Editorial Policy).

Picture of CoinDesk author Stan Higgins

More For You

WIF Suffers Sharp 11% Decline Before Mounting Recovery to $1.21

"WIF price chart showing an 11% intraday decline to $1.16 support followed by recovery to $1.21 amid strong institutional buying and technical cup-and-handle pattern signaling potential upside."

Solana-based digital asset demonstrates institutional resilience following support test at $1.16, as large-scale investor activity and technical formations suggest potential upside momentum.