The name “Bitcoin ETF” has been making a lot of noise in the world of cryptocurrencies. But what is it, and why is everyone talking about it so much? Also, why is the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) not eager to approve this new financial idea?
What Is An ETF For Bitcoin?
In simple words, a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a way for investors to buy and sell shares that are equal to Bitcoin ownership without having to deal with the hassles of owning Bitcoin itself.
Being able to buy and sell it on standard stock exchanges makes it easier for people who might find buying digital assets directly difficult.
Why Is The Crypto Community Excited?
The main thing that gets people excited about cryptocurrencies is the idea that big investors might start using Bitcoin on a large scale. Institutional players, like pension funds and hedge funds, have been slow to enter the volatile crypto market compared to crypto fans.
The creation of Bitcoin ETFs gives big buyers a safe and well-known way to get into crypto, which could make more people want to buy Bitcoin.
How Could It Boost Cryptocurrency Prices?
It’s important to remember that supply and demand are at the heart of the rise in coin prices. Since there are only 21 million Bitcoins in circulation, any rise in demand could cause prices to go up.
As more institutional investors join the market through ETFs, there will likely be more demand for Bitcoin, which could make its value go up. Also, the legitimacy that comes from government approval could bring in a wider range of individual investors, which would speed up the rise even more.
Bitcoin currently trading at $39K level today. Chart: TradingView.com
SEC Hurdles And Regulatory Caution
The crypto community is eagerly waiting for the SEC to approve Bitcoin ETFs, but the government agency is still being cautious. The SEC is mostly worried about market manipulation, fraud, and how stable the bitcoin market is as a whole.
Before approving a financial product that could put buyers at risk of the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies, the SEC wants to make sure that there are enough safeguards in place to protect them.
BTC price action in the last 24 hours. Source: Coingecko
Meanwhile, according to people who follow the business, the SEC may approve spot bitcoin ETFs within three days in January next year.
Window is officially Jan 5th to Jan 10th. Really this means that any potential approval orders are going to come on either Monday Jan 8, Tuesday Jan 9, or Wednesday Jan 10. Mark your calendars people. https://t.co/8ob8Y6pgU5
— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) December 1, 2023
The SEC could approve spot bitcoin ETFs between January 8 and January 10, according to a Friday X post by Bloomberg Intelligence expert James Seyffart. This is if the SEC decides to change its 10-year policy and allow these products.
Bitcoin ETFs are a big step forward in the world of crypto. They connect standard finance with the world of digital assets. The crypto community is excited about how this could help prices, but the SEC’s cautious approach shows how important it is to have strong regulatory rules for new financial technologies.
To make sure that Bitcoin ETFs are successful in the long run, it is important to find a balance between excitement and regulatory caution.
In the last 24 hours, the market capitalization of the biggest digital asset, Bitcoin, hit a high point of $39,680. The price is now $39,440, according to figures from Coingecko.
Featured image from Shutterstock
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