The SEC Won’t Appeal Court Decision on Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETF Application
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided not to appeal a recent court ruling that found their rejection of Grayscale Investments’ application for a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) was incorrect. This means that the SEC will have to reexamine Grayscale’s proposal, potentially opening the door for the first bitcoin ETF in the United States.
Grayscale has been advocating for the conversion of its GBTC into an ETF, believing that this would eliminate the discount by bridging the price gap between the trust and the underlying bitcoin. ETFs operate on a creation-redemption model, allowing for the issuance of new shares to meet demand or the redemption of shares to reduce supply.
What’s Next?
The SEC’s decision not to pursue an appeal may increase industry optimism for a potential spot bitcoin ETF. However, it does not guarantee swift approval. Jennifer Schulp, Director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute, warns that there is still uncertainty as the SEC could reassess and potentially deny the application on different grounds, leading to another legal battle.
Hot Take: Potential for a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S.
The SEC’s choice not to challenge the court’s ruling on Grayscale’s bitcoin ETF application brings hope for a possible breakthrough in the U.S. market. If approved, a bitcoin ETF could attract more institutional investors and provide easier access to cryptocurrency for retail investors. However, cautious optimism is warranted as there are still hurdles to overcome before a bitcoin ETF becomes a reality. The SEC may reevaluate and reject the application based on different reasons, prolonging the process and creating further legal challenges. Nevertheless, this development marks an important step forward in bringing mainstream acceptance and legitimacy to cryptocurrencies.