WisdomTree amends Bitcoin ETF application, naming US Bank as custodian

Published at: Dec. 9, 2021

New York-based asset manager WisdomTree has amended its filing for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission to name U.S. Bank as its custodian. 

In a Wednesday filing, WisdomTree listed U.S. Bank National Association as the custodian for shares of its Bitcoin (BTC) trust. The filing is an amendment to its March 11 registration for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, or ETF, submitted to the SEC prior to U.S. Bank offering crypto custody services for institutional investors.

On Dec. 2, the SEC rejected a proposed rule change from the Cboe BZX Exchange to list and trade shares of WisdomTree’s Bitcoin Trust. It’s unclear if the recent amendment is aimed at resetting the clock on a new spot Bitcoin ETF application, given WisdomTree waited 265 days between its initial filing and the SEC rejection. A separate ETF application for WisdomTree’s Ethereum Trust submitted to the SEC in May is still under review.

Related: US is 'unquestionably' behind the curve on crypto ETFs, says Brian Brooks

With more than $76 billion in assets under management, WisdomTree has also launched four cryptocurrency indices in the United States and Europe to provide diversified portfolio exposure to investors. In addition, the company already has an exchange-traded product with exposure to a basket of cryptocurrencies on Euronext exchanges in Paris and Amsterdam.

Regulators in the United States have yet to approve a cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund. However, the SEC gave the green light to products linked to crypto futures, including BTC futures ETFs from investment managers ProShares and Valkyrie. Other U.S. firms including Fidelity have successfully applied with Canadian regulators for ETFs with direct exposure to crypto.

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