Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton Believes Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval is “Inevitable”
Jay Clayton, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has stated that the approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the SEC is inevitable. He believes this because there is high demand from both retail and institutional investors who want access to Bitcoin investments.
Clayton’s comments come after months of pent-up institutional demand for a Bitcoin ETF. If approved, this could lead to a significant influx of hedge funds into the Bitcoin market.
False Alarm Spike in Bitcoin Price
The price of Bitcoin briefly spiked by 10% to $30,000 on Monday due to a false alarm suggesting that the SEC had approved a spot ETF. However, this was not the case.
SEC Hesitation Due to Volatility Concerns
The SEC has been slow in approving a Bitcoin ETF due to concerns about the volatility of cryptocurrency markets and the associated investment risks. The regulatory body wants to ensure that investing clients’ portfolios are not exposed to too much risk.
Impact of a Bitcoin ETF on the Cryptocurrency Market
If a Bitcoin ETF is approved, it could lead to sustained institutional participation from large hedge funds. This would provide these funds with a way to invest in Bitcoin without flouting SEC regulations. Similar to how gold ETFs impacted the gold market, a spot Bitcoin ETF could be a game changer for the cryptocurrency market.
Gold ETFs had a significant impact on the market when they were introduced. For example, after the launch of the first gold ETF in March 2003, the price of gold rose by 3.7% within a month. Over time, gold experienced a multi-year bull run, with its price increasing by 486% by September 2011.
Hot Take: Potential for Significant Institutional Investment with Bitcoin ETF Approval
If the SEC approves a spot Bitcoin ETF, it could lead to a substantial influx of institutional investment in the cryptocurrency market. This approval is seen as inevitable by former SEC Chair Jay Clayton, given the high demand from both retail and institutional investors.
The hesitation from the SEC is due to concerns about market volatility and associated risks. However, the approval of a Bitcoin ETF could mirror the impact of gold ETFs on the gold market, providing a new way for institutional players to access Bitcoin investments.