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.

Podcasts

It’s Here: Bitcoin Futures ETF to Begin Trading

By Nathaniel WhittemoreOct 18, 2021

Markets

Crypto-Fund Assets Hit All-Time High, With US Bitcoin Futures ETF on Cusp

Total assets under management in cryptocurrency funds tracked by CoinShares have been climbing – and could swell further as one or more U.S. bitcoin futures exchange-traded funds launch this week.

By Damanick DantesOct 18, 2021

Crypto funds' assets under management and net new assets. (CoinShares)

Finance

ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF to Start NYSE Trading on Tuesday

The SEC has given the go-ahead for bitcoin futures ETFs.

By Jamie CrawleyOct 18, 2021

Markets

Grayscale Reiterates Plans to Convert Bitcoin Trust to Spot ETF

Once the application is made, the SEC will have 75 days to review it.

By Kevin ReynoldsOct 17, 2021

Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein speaks at Consensus: Invest 2018. (CoinDesk archives)

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Reaches $61K as SEC’s ETF Deadline Nears

Bitcoin is inching closer to an all-time high as anticipation builds the U.S. regulator will finally approve one of the many applications it has received.

By Damanick Dantes, Tracy WangOct 16, 2021

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Shutterstock)

Learn

What Is a Bitcoin ETF?

The SEC is expected to decide on Jan. 10, 2024, whether to approve bitcoin ETFs from the likes of BlackRock, Fidelity and others, which would give investors exposure to the biggest cryptocurrency without having to actually buy it.

By Nick Baker, Ollie LeechOct 16, 2021