BlackRock’s recent filing for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has sparked a wave of optimism in the investment industry, leading to new filings by other firms. WisdomTree, an asset management fund based in New York, is the latest company to file for a spot Bitcoin ETF.
In its filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 21, WisdomTree requested permission to list its “WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust” on the Cboe BZX Exchange with the ticker symbol “BTCW.”
This marks WisdomTree’s third attempt at obtaining approval for a spot Bitcoin ETF, with previous applications being rejected due to concerns of fraud and market manipulation. WisdomTree currently oversees approximately $83 billion in assets.
One notable difference between BlackRock’s filing and previous attempts is its intention to enter into a “surveillance sharing agreement” with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures markets. BlackRock’s proposal references the SEC’s approval of a Bitcoin futures fund by Teucrium, highlighting the CME’s ability to surveil and prevent price distortions caused by manipulative efforts.
WisdomTree’s filing also includes a willingness to enter into a similar surveillance agreement with a US-based spot trading platform for Bitcoin.
Shortly after WisdomTree’s filing, global investment manager Invesco “reactivated” its application for a spot Bitcoin ETF. Invesco’s filing requests the listing of its “Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF” on the Cboe BZX exchange.
The company emphasizes that a spot Bitcoin ETF utilizing professional custodians and service providers eliminates the need for investors to rely on loosely regulated offshore vehicles, thereby offering better protection for their investments.
While the SEC has yet to approve a spot Bitcoin ETF, the recent activities by WisdomTree and Invesco have reignited the race for approval. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas expressed optimism and attributed the renewed interest to BlackRock’s involvement.
Balchunas also highlighted BlackRock’s §impressive track record, with a success rate of “575-1” in obtaining ETF approvals from the regulator.
Furthermore, rumors are circulating that Fidelity Investments, a multi-trillion-dollar fund manager with $4.9 trillion in assets under management, may join the race for a spot Bitcoin ETF. Speculation suggests that Fidelity Investments may file for its own ETF or consider acquiring Grayscale’s GBTC ETF product. However, there has been no official confirmation from Fidelity regarding these rumors.
Overall, BlackRock’s filing for a spot Bitcoin ETF has spurred optimism within the investment industry, leading to new filings by WisdomTree and Invesco.
The potential entry of Fidelity Investments further indicates the growing interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs and their potential benefits for investors.
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