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.

Policy

SEC Rejects Ark 21Shares Spot Bitcoin ETF for Second Time

The U.S. markets regular has rejected a score of ETF applications for products that invest directly in bitcoin while approving a number of funds tracking the BTC futures market.

By Jamie CrawleyJan 26, 2023

Policy

Grayscale Slams SEC's 'Unreasonable' Barring of Spot Bitcoin ETFs

The asset manager said the regulator's defense of its decision to block a spot bitcoin ETF is "illogical."

By Sandali HandagamaJan 13, 2023

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

Finance

Grayscale Will Explore Returning Portion of Investor Capital if SEC Refuses Spot Bitcoin ETF

Grayscale sued the U.S. regulator in June after its latest spot bitcoin ETF application was denied.

By Oliver KnightDec 19, 2022

Policy

SEC Strikes Back in Grayscale Suit Over GBTC ETF Conversion

The brief, filed last Friday, is the first from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since the lawsuit was filed in June.

By Cheyenne LigonDec 12, 2022

SEC Chair Gary Gensler says he's trying to protect investors. (Evelyn Hockstein-Pool/Getty Images)

Finance

Cosmos Asset Management Intends to Delist Crypto ETFs in Australia

Cosmos' bitcoin ETF was Australia's first such fund when it listed on Cboe in April.

By Jamie CrawleyNov 2, 2022

Finance

Effort to Reverse SEC Rejection of Bitcoin ETF Wins Broad Crypto, TradFi Support

Regulators rebuffed Grayscale's attempt to convert its bitcoin trust into an ETF. Grayscale has powerful allies as it seeks to overturn that decision.

By James Rubin, Nikhilesh De, Nick BakerOct 19, 2022

Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein (CoinDesk archives)

Finance

Crypto Investment Product Firm 21Shares Launches Bitcoin ETP in Middle East

21Shares’ physical bitcoin exchange-traded product will list on the Nasdaq Dubai.

By Michael BellusciOct 12, 2022

Skyscrapers in Dubai (Kent Tupas/Unsplash)

Finance

WisdomTree’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Rejected by the SEC

It's the latest in a string of spot bitcoin ETF denials by the D.C. regulator.

By Michael BellusciOct 11, 2022

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C. (Getty Images)

Learn

3 Ways Traditional Investors Can Gain Crypto Exposure

Direct investment into cryptocurrency is just one way clients of financial advisors can participate in the new asset class.

By Jackson WoodSep 22, 2022

Policy

A Bitcoin ETF Is Long Past Due, Crypto Lobbyists Say in New Report

The industry is baring its teeth in a long-fought battle over spot exchange-traded funds, getting set to issue a report critical of how the regulator has handled itself.

By Jesse HamiltonSep 12, 2022

Chamber of Digital Commerce founder and CEO Perianne Boring (CoinDesk)

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