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

A Bitcoin ETF Has Golden Parallels From History

Gold ETFs dramatically shook up markets. A spot bitcoin ETF could do the same.

By Todd GrothSep 20, 2023

Finance

What Correlations Tell Us About the Value of Multi-Asset Crypto Portfolios

Investors focusing solely on bitcoin forego more than they may think.

By Max FrecciaSep 13, 2023

Finance

Franklin Templeton Joins Spot Bitcoin ETF Race

The financial services heavyweight joins its brethren BlackRock, Fidelity and others in vying for a spot bitcoin ETF.

By Danny NelsonSep 12, 2023

Jenny Johnson, President and CEO, Franklin Templeton and Michael Casey, Chief Content Officer, Coindesk

Opinion

Stop Thinking About 'Wins' or 'Losses' in the Bitcoin ETF Debate

Grayscale's appeal shows that crypto innovation is an opportunity for the regulators as much as investors.

By David AckermanSep 5, 2023

checkmate in staged chess game (GR Stocks/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Crypto ETF Opportunity Doesn't Stop at Bitcoin, Extends Into Multiple Digital Assets: Bernstein

The industry push for an ether spot ETF will follow immediately after a bitcoin ETF approval since ETH has a similar market structure of a traded CME futures market and a spot market, the report said.

By Will CannySep 4, 2023

Sign saying fee area ahead on a background of desert shrubland

Policy

SEC Delays Spot Bitcoin ETF Decision for All Applicants Including BlackRock, Fidelity

The regulator has now announced delays for all six of the new ETF applications.

By Nikhilesh DeAug 31, 2023

Opinion

Bitcoin ETF Applications Are Bitcoin's Best Marketing Strategy

With the recent Grayscale win over SEC stonewalling, it seems like spot market BTC exchange-traded funds may be soon approved. Here's why that matters.

By Tim HaldorssonAug 31, 2023

Bitcoin ETFs are a flashbulb moment for Wall Street on the importance of global money. (Jack Carter/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

SEC Could Prepare Alternative Arguments to Reject Spot Bitcoin ETFs: Berenberg

Coinbase’s potential involvement in spot bitcoin ETFs could serve as part of the SEC’s reconfigured arguments for rejecting the applications, the report said.

By Will CannyAug 31, 2023

Opinion

The Real Reasons the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF Decision Matters

The U.S. Court of Appeals, in rebuking the securities watchdog, shows that Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler won’t get the last word on crypto.

By Daniel KuhnAug 29, 2023