SEC likely to allow Bitcoin futures ETF to trade next week: Reports

Published at: Oct. 15, 2021

The long wait for a Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) could soon be over according to sources reported by financial media giant Bloomberg.

Citing “people familiar with the matter,” Bloomberg has reported that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is poised to approve the first Bitcoin futures ETFs in the country.

The anonymous sources said:

“The regulator isn’t likely to block the products from starting to trade next week.”

A futures product is likely to be the first one approved since they are viewed more favorably by regulators. Futures are governed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and require investors to put down cash on margin to trade them.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas is confident that the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF could be the first one launched as the decision deadline is Monday, Oct. 18. The Invesco Bitcoin Strategy ETF may be approved the following day barring any further delays by the SEC.

In a tweet on Friday, the analyst stated, “Pretty much done deal. Expect launches next week,” before adding the “odds now over 90% IMO.”

JUST IN: Bitcoin futures ETFs said not to face any opposition at SEC, according to multiple sources confirming this (aside, I’m hearing same thing). Pretty much done deal. Expect launches next week. Nice late night story from @kgreifeld @VildanaHajric @benbain pic.twitter.com/axT6ME4MeI

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) October 15, 2021

SEC Chair Gary Gensler has voiced favor for funds based on CME-traded Bitcoin futures filed under a 1940s law, adding more weight to the potential of a long-awaited approval.

Related: SEC Chair Gary Gensler actually is pro-Bitcoin, Volt Equity CEO argues

On Thursday, Cointelegraph reported that Ark Invest had teamed up with 21Shares to file for an ETF that will trade in Bitcoin futures, indicating that they, too, were confident that a product approval is imminent.

Deadlines for ETF applications from VanEck and Valkyrie are also approaching on Oct. 25, so there could be a slew of them hitting exchanges over the next couple of weeks.

Monday could be a big day for Bitcoin prices, as markets have been bubbling up in anticipation of this landmark event. At the time of writing, BTC had just spiked to $59,600 before a slight retreat, according to CoinGecko.

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