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

Will BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Take the Spirit Out of the Honey Badger?

Financial advisors will want a simple story to tell.

By Michael J. CaseyJun 23, 2023

Honey Badger in Higashiyama Zoo

(Tomio344456/Wikimedia Commons, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Invesco Reapplies for Bitcoin ETF, Advocates for More Crypto Investment Products

Invesco first filed for a Bitcoin ETF in the fall of 2021, but has since re-applied in light of BlackRock’s application.

By Sam ReynoldsJun 21, 2023

Opinion

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Would Be a Big Deal

And it doesn’t really matter if it’s technically a trust.

By George KaloudisJun 16, 2023

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

Finance

BlackRock May Have Found Way to Get SEC Approval for Spot Bitcoin ETF

The asset management giant included a surveillance-sharing agreement in its proposal, which could eliminate the risk of market manipulation related to bitcoin.

By Ian Allison, Helene BraunJun 16, 2023

BlackRock headquarters in New York (Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Markets

Bitcoin Shorts Lose $16M as BlackRock ETF Filing Sparks Bullish Outlook

Total crypto market capitalization rose, with dogecoin (DOGE) leading gains among major tokens.

By Shaurya MalwaJun 16, 2023

Finance

BlackRock Close to Filing for Bitcoin ETF Application: Source

BlackRock will be using Coinbase (COIN) Custody for the ETF and the crypto exchange’s spot market data for pricing, the source said.

By Ian AllisonJun 15, 2023

Finance

Metalpha Launches Grayscale-Based Digital Asset Fund

Metalpha’s Hong Kong-licensed fund will give investors exposure to Grayscale’s products, but also allow for withdrawals which is something currently missing for U.S. investors.

By Sam ReynoldsApr 12, 2023

Hong Kong (anuchit kamsongmueang/Getty Images)

Opinion

A Dozen Reasons Why the SEC Should Have Approved Grayscale's Spot Bitcoin ETF

Gary Gensler has rejected every bitcoin exchange-traded fund application in the name of consumer protection. So why doesn't he listen to what consumers have to say?

By Daniel KuhnMar 7, 2023

Grayscale's Michael Sonnenshein speaks at Invest: NYC 2019 (CoinDesk)

Policy

Judges Express Skepticism of SEC Arguments in Grayscale Bitcoin ETF Hearing

The panel of appeals court judges questioned the SEC's logic in drawing a distinction between bitcoin spot market prices and futures market prices.

By Nikhilesh DeMar 7, 2023

U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

Policy

Grayscale to Argue SEC’s Inconsistency as Bitcoin ETF Dispute Heads to Court

The company’s appeal of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rejection of its bitcoin ETF will be argued in U.S. federal court next week in Washington, D.C.

By Jesse HamiltonFeb 28, 2023

Don Verrilli Jr. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

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