SEC at long last approves spot bitcoin ETPs (Cryptocurrency:BTC-USD)

01/11/2024 04:45
SEC at long last approves spot bitcoin ETPs (Cryptocurrency:BTC-USD)

The SEC approves spot bitcoin exchange-traded products, but warns investors about the risks associated with bitcoin and crypto-linked investments.

Digitized Bitcoin Symbol

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a number of spot bitcoin exchange-traded products on Wednesday after years of rejecting ETF applications.

"Importantly, today's Commission action is cabined to ETPs holding one non-security commodity, bitcoin (BTC-USD). It should in no way signal the Commission's willingness to approve listing standards for crypto asset securities," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler in a statement.

The SEC is reviewing registration for 10 spot bitcoin (BTC-USD) ETPs simultaneously, which is intended to help provide a level playing field for issuers and promote fairness and competition, he said. (Adde 4:50 PM ET.)

He added that the sponsors or the bitcoin ETPs will be required to provide full, fair and truthful disclosure about the products.

"While we approved the listing and trading of certain spot bitcoin ETP shares today, we did not approve or endorse bitcoin," Gensler said. "Investors should remain cautious about the myriad risks associated with bitcoin and products whose value is tied to crypto."

Pending spot bitcoin (BTC-USD) ETFs were: Ark/21Shares Bitcoin Trust (ARKB), Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC), Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC), Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (OTC:GBTC), Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO), Global X Bitcoin Trust, Hashdex Bitcoin ETF (DEFI), iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Pando Asset Spot Bitcoin Trust (PBTC), Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR), VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL), and WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust (BTCW). (added 4:57 PM ET).

The SEC chair was also emphasized that the commission will "fully investigate any fraud or manipulation in the securities markets, including schemes that use social media platforms."

Even with the approval, bitcoin (BTC-USD) prices are little changed over the past 24 hours, recently trading at ~$45.4K.

Updated at 4:46 PM ET: Crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) stock dipped 2.5% in after-hours trading after the statement was made.

The announcement comes a day after the SEC said its account on social media platform was compromised, when a posting appeared falsely saying the SEC had approved bitcoin ETFs. That posting had initially sent bitcoin price as high as $47.8K, but the gain quickly evaporated.

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