3iq Digital Asset Management has announced that its solana fund has filed a preliminary prospectus for an initial public offering in Canada. The fund aims to become the first solana (SOL) exchange-traded product (ETP) in North America. Its objectives include providing exposure to the cryptocurrency, long-term capital appreciation, and staking yield. The Fund Seeks to […]
Bitcoin News
Bitcoin ETFs Explained: A Closer Look at BTC Exchange-Traded Products
Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, that track the price of bitcoin have become a popular means for mainstream investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without directly owning bitcoin. Though the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved a spot bitcoin ETF in the U.S., futures-based and international bitcoin ETFs are offering investors new participation methods.
The Basics: Defining a Bitcoin ETF
An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, similar to stocks. A bitcoin ETF doesn’t directly trade bitcoin; rather, it tracks bitcoin futures contracts or holds private keys associated with the cryptocurrency. This setup grants regular investors and institutions access to bitcoin exposure without dealing with cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets.
There are two main types of bitcoin ETFs: futures-based and spot bitcoin ETFs. Futures-based bitcoin ETFs, such as the Proshares “Bitcoin Strategy ETF,” which debuted in 2021, don’t directly invest in bitcoin. Instead, they track bitcoin futures contracts traded on platforms like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). A spot bitcoin ETF directly holds actual bitcoin assets on behalf of its investors. Unlike futures-based funds, it provides direct exposure to the crypto asset’s real-time price movements.
Currently, spot bitcoin ETFs are unavailable in the U.S. but some expect that to change in the near future. Investors, however, can tap into Canada’s “Purpose Bitcoin ETF” – a fund with physical backing. Moreover, there’s Europe’s “XBT Provider Bitcoin Exchange Traded Note,” listed on their local stock exchanges. Yet, in the U.S., these spot bitcoin ETFs encounter significant legal obstacles and still await SEC endorsement.
Bitcoin Exposure — The Appeal and Challenges of Exchange-Traded Products
Until a spot bitcoin ETF receives U.S. approval, close alternatives include the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and products from XBT Provider. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust is a trust holding bitcoin, with shares traded over-the-counter (OTC). As of September 2023, it managed assets worth more than .53 billion. XBT Provider offers notes like Bitcoin Tracker One, with more than .43 billion in assets. Though not strictly ETFs, these products resemble aspects of a spot bitcoin ETF.
The allure of bitcoin ETFs is evident: They provide uncomplicated bitcoin exposure as a security without the intricate storage and security requirements of the actual cryptocurrency. As bitcoin becomes more mainstream, some believe a U.S. spot bitcoin ETF might attract a significant surge of institutional investment in digital currencies.
Conversely, a bitcoin ETF might allow for leveraging fictional bitcoin supplies to control futures positions. If prices climb rapidly, a fictitious supply of paper bitcoin could be used to control them. Nontransparent fractional reserve practices might emerge, skewing prices as seen in traditional markets. But with BTC’s transparent blockchain, future ETFs might need to prove 100% reserves.
What do you think about bitcoin ETFs? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.
Swiss Exchange SIX Lists Joint Bitcoin and Ether Exchange-Traded Product
n Switzerlands SIX exchange welcomes another crypto ETPn
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
Bitwise to Launch Another Crypto Exchange-Traded Product
n Switzerlands largest stock exchange SIX to list the fifth crypto ETP developed by Bitwisen
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
Amun Launches Exchange-Traded Product Using Bitwise Crypto Index
This new ETP will track Bitwise’s index of 10 top crypto assets weighted by free-float and inflation-adjusted market capitalization.
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
SEC to Consider New Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange-Traded Fund Application
n New bid to launch crypto ETF by Crescent Crypto Index Services sees queue for U.S. permission increase by onen
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
Private Bank Kleinwort Hambros Launches Blockchain Exchange-Traded Note
n An exchange-traded note ETN made up of blockchain companies has been launched by private bank Kleinwort Hambrosn
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
Exchange-Traded Products for XRP, Litecoin Go Live for EU Investors
Exchange-traded products ETPs tied to XRP and litecoin have gone live on Nordic Growth Market, a unit of Borse Stuttgart.
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
CBOE Re-Applies With US SEC to List Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund
n The Chicago Board Options Exchanges has re-submitted an application with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a rule change to list a Bitcoin ETFn
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7
Europe Leads the Way With Crypto Exchange-Traded Products
n Switzerland leads the way with ETPs, as the United States remains bogged down in its latest regulatory battlen
CryptScout #BitFeed RSS – Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency News 24/7