Bitcoin ETF

What is a bitcoin ETF? They are a relatively easy-to-purchase investment vehicle that owns bitcoin (BTC), the original cryptocurrency. Just like stocks, exchange-traded funds are listed on exchanges, can be traded throughout the day and are available for purchase through normal brokerage accounts. A bitcoin ETF was first proposed in the U.S. around 2013 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, but were never approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Several applications for them are pending with the SEC as of January 2024, from companies including BlackRock, Grayscale, Fidelity, Galaxy/Invesco and Franklin Templeton. If approved, crypto ETFs could dramatically broaden the base of people who can invest in digital assets. There have been bitcoin futures ETFs available in the U.S. for several years, but the latest round of proposed products, technically known as spot bitcoin ETFs, are a more efficient and desirable product.

Opinion

Welcome to the ‘Bitcoin Era’ on Wall Street

With a roster of bitcoin ETFs already trading, companies will need to figure out how to differentiate their products.

By Daniel KuhnFeb 8, 2024

(Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández/Unsplashed, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Bitcoin ETFs (Ex-GBTC) Now Hold More BTC Than MicroStrategy

The bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through Wednesday held a combined 192,255 bitcoin, more than 2,000 above that of MicroStrategy, the largest publicly traded holder of the cryptocurrency.

By Helene BraunFeb 8, 2024

Michael Saylor, executive director, MicroStrategy (Marco Bello/Getty Images)

Markets

BlackRock, Fidelity Bitcoin ETFs Have a Liquidity Edge Over Grayscale: JPMorgan

GBTC is expected to lose further funds to newly created ETFs unless there is a meaningful cut to its fees, the report said.

By Will CannyFeb 8, 2024

Grayscale's GBTC has lower liquidity than some rival bitcoin ETFs. (roegger/Pixabay)

Finance

Investing in 'Gold' – Via Bitcoin – Is Cheaper Than Ever

All but one of the recently launched spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) charge a lower fee than the largest gold ETF, making them a cheaper investment into a gold-like asset.

By Helene BraunFeb 7, 2024

Finance

MicroStrategy Makes Its Case as Alternative to Spot Bitcoin ETFs

Michael Saylor's software firm called itself a “bitcoin development company” in its fourth quarter earnings presentation Tuesday night.

By Helene BraunFeb 7, 2024

MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor (Getty Images)

Markets

Ether Tops $2.4K as Cathie Wood's Ark, 21Shares Amend Spot ETH ETF Filing

The updated prospectus brings the spot Ethereum ETF application more "in line" with the recently approved spot BTC ETF prospectus, one analyst noted.

By Krisztian SandorFeb 7, 2024

Finance

Forget ETFs, Let’s Work on Tokenizing the Whole Value Chain

“Tokenization” — the biggest buzzword in crypto markets currently — means not just bringing new digital assets on-chains, but, in the future, originating and settling them on-chain as well.

By Allan GulleyFeb 7, 2024

Markets

CME Trading Volume Reached Highest in 3 Years After Bitcoin ETF Approval

The total derivatives trading volume on CME rose 35% in January to $94.9 billion, the highest since October 2021.

By Lyllah LedesmaFeb 7, 2024

CME trading volume reached highest in 3 years after bitcoin ETF approval (CCData)

Markets

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Inflows Climb to Fifth-Highest Among All ETFs in 2024

Fidelity's spot ETF also garnered a ranking in the top 10 of fund inflows so far this year.

By Helene BraunFeb 6, 2024

BlackRock's corporate office in New York, New York. (Jim.henderson/Wikimedia Commons)

Markets

Bitcoin ETFs Mean 'Substitution' From Gold Into BTC Will Continue, Says Cathie Wood

While bitcoin's price is often denominated against fiat currencies, Wood pointed out that even relative to gold, BTC has risen consistently since its early days.

By Jamie CrawleyFeb 6, 2024

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