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.

Markets

Are Spot Crypto ETFs Really Worth the Wait?

Many advisors and investors seem to be waiting for spot crypto ETFs before diving into digital assets. But they have all the tools they need to begin investing in digital assets on behalf of clients right now.

By Christopher RobbinsDec 23, 2021

Policy

SEC Rejects Kryptoin Spot Bitcoin ETF Proposal

The decision comes about five weeks after the agency rejected VanEck’s application for a spot bitcoin ETF.

By James RubinDec 22, 2021

(Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Videos

Bitcoin's Supply Getting Tighter?

Fred Pye, CEO of Canadian crypto fund manager 3IQ Digital Assets, discusses his outlook for bitcoin and the wider crypto markets amid central banks around the world beginning to taper pandemic-era stimulus. "We're definitely rangebound, but ... what we do know is the supply is getting tighter and tighter," Pye said. Plus, the state of bitcoin ETFs in Canada.

Dec 17, 2021

Policy

Coinbase Backs NYSE Arca’s Push for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust Conversion to ETF

Coinbase says there’s no “rational basis” for not allowing a spot-based exchange-traded product.

By Michael BellusciDec 15, 2021

Policy

SEC Rejects WisdomTree’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Application

The decision comes seven months after the agency said it would start evaluating the asset manager’s application.

By James RubinDec 2, 2021

Markets

ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF Wins ‘First Mover Advantage’ as VanEck Launch Falls Flat

The ProShares ETF has $1,4 billion in assets, compared with $8.7 million for the VanEck fund.

By Tanzeel AkhtarNov 22, 2021

Policy

The SEC Still Doesn’t Like Spot Bitcoin ETFs

The latest rejection shows how far the bitcoin ETF war has left to go.

By Danny NelsonNov 16, 2021

SEC Chair Gary Gensler (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Markets

VanEck Bitcoin Futures ETF Finds Cool Reception

The new investment vehicle, trading under the stock ticker XBTF, jumped into the competition with a lower fee than two similar funds launched last month. But its first-day trading volume was still comparatively anemic.

By Tanzeel AkhtarNov 16, 2021

(Metropolitan Museum of Art, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

VanEck to Launch Bitcoin Futures ETF ‘XBTF’ Next Week After SEC Rejects Spot Offering

Chicago-based CBOE exchange says in website posting that the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF will start trading Tuesday under the ticker symbol “XBTF.”

By Tanzeel AkhtarNov 14, 2021

After weeks of delays, the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF is ready to launch. (Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

SEC Rejects VanEck’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Proposal

The decision did not come as a surprise given SEC chair Gary Gensler’s preference for a bitcoin futures ETF.

By Nelson WangNov 12, 2021

Bitcoin Climbs Above $60K After Report SEC Won’t Block Futures ETF

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