Bitcoin ETF

What is a bitcoin ETF? They are a relatively easy-to-purchase investment vehicle that owns bitcoin (BTC), the original cryptocurrency. Just like stocks, exchange-traded funds are listed on exchanges, can be traded throughout the day and are available for purchase through normal brokerage accounts. A bitcoin ETF was first proposed in the U.S. around 2013 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, but were never approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Several applications for them are pending with the SEC as of January 2024, from companies including BlackRock, Grayscale, Fidelity, Galaxy/Invesco and Franklin Templeton. If approved, crypto ETFs could dramatically broaden the base of people who can invest in digital assets. There have been bitcoin futures ETFs available in the U.S. for several years, but the latest round of proposed products, technically known as spot bitcoin ETFs, are a more efficient and desirable product.

Markets

First Mover Americas: Grayscale's Is the First ETF to Begin Trading

The latest price moves in crypto markets in context for Jan. 11, 2024.

By Lyllah LedesmaJan 11, 2024

Markets

Ether ETF Hopes Drive Smart Money Bets After Historic Bitcoin ETF Approval

Bets on Ethereum tokens may spark a reversal of fortunes for ETH investors, especially as the token underperformed bitcoin in 2023.

By Shaurya MalwaJan 11, 2024

Markets

Grayscale Claims Bragging Rights for First Spot Bitcoin ETF to Begin Trading

Grayscale's conversion of its $27 billion bitcoin trust into an ETF was finally approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday

By Jamie Crawley, Ian AllisonJan 11, 2024

Grayscale ad in NYC (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Markets

Gary Gensler Voted to Approve Bitcoin ETFs, Despite Public Criticism

Three out of five committee members approved the various filings that gave the green light for the first-ever spot bitcoin ETFs to be offered in the U.S.

By Shaurya MalwaJan 11, 2024

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman SEC Gary Gensler (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk, modified)

Finance

Ben Franklin's Laser Eyes Suggest a Tough – and Quirky – Battle for Bitcoin ETFs

Franklin Templeton, the $1.5 trillion asset manager, gave its famous logo a glowing, crypto-y tweak after the SEC approved bitcoin ETFs, possibly girding for a tough battle with BlackRock and other Wall Street giants.

By Helene BraunJan 11, 2024

Franklin Templeton has joined the race to launch an ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF). (Franklin Templeton via X)

Markets

Bitcoin ETF Frenzy Brings Windfall Volume to Decentralized Predictions Platform Polymarket

Polymarket saw betting contracts worth more than $5.7 million change hands on Wednesday.

By Omkar GodboleJan 11, 2024

Bitcoin ETF frenzy drives volume growth on prediction markets. (Obsahovka/Pixabay)

Finance

Bitcoin ETF Approval Is Likely to Benefit Institutional Investors: Goldman Sachs

ETFs offer better investor protection, increased liquidity and lower tracking error than closed-end funds and trusts, the report said.

By Will CannyJan 11, 2024

BlackRock is one of the big-name providers offering a spot bitcoin ETF. (Jim Henderson, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Bitcoin ETF Approval Marks Conclusion of a Decade-Long Journey

Much has changed since the Winklevoss filed unsuccessfully for the first Bitcoin ETF in July 2013.

By Sam ReynoldsJan 11, 2024

Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

Markets

Bitcoin ETFs Secure Approval Exactly 15 Years After Hal Finney’s Iconic ‘Running Bitcoin’ Tweet

Finney, who died in August 2014, was also the first person besides Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to download and run Bitcoin’s software.

By Shaurya MalwaJan 11, 2024

Policy

Bitcoin ETFs: What to Expect on Day One

A decade after they were first proposed, spot bitcoin ETFs are finally launching in the U.S. Here's what's next.

By Nikhilesh De, Helene BraunJan 11, 2024

NYSE building in New York (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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