Multiple respondents have filed comments with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the latest proposed rule change for the VanEck/SolidX Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF). Comments to date were submitted between Feb. 13 and March 12. As reported, CBOE’s BZX Equity Exchange — the exchange that would prospectively list the Bitcoin ETF — had temporarily withdrawn its application for a rule change on the ETF in January, citing the negative impact of the U.S. government shutdown on the SEC’s operations. CBOE then resubmitted the application for the SEC’s consideration at the end of the month. On Feb. …

United States Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton is still concerned about investor protection when it comes to the commission approving a Bitcoin (BTC) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). The SEC chairman spoke about crypto in an interview with FOX Business on March 14. In the interview, Clayton claimed to be neutral toward digital currencies, saying that he is not a spokesperson against the asset. The SEC chairman explained that he is concerned with the potential for manipulation associated with the space, and wants to guarantee investor protection: “What I’m concerned about at the moment is if it can be …

United Kingdom-based asset management company Elwood Asset Management is looking to increase its cryptocurrency offerings after co-launching a blockchain exchange-traded fund (ETF), Bloomberg reported on March 12. Elwood, which is owned by billionaire Brevan Howard creator Alan Howard, partnered with Invesco to bring a blockchain ETF to market this week. Now, the company told reporters that it is already eyeing what else it could offer institutional investors eager to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency arena. “The only way for institutions to get meaningful exposure to digital assets has been to buy Bitcoin, but many are reluctant or unable to buy …

United States-based investment management company Invesco is launching a blockchain exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the London Stock Exchange (LSEG) today, March 11, financial newspaper Financial Times reports on March 9. Per the article, the Invesco Elwood Global Blockchain ETF will initially be targeting 48 companies involved with blockchain technology. The firms were reportedly selected through a proprietary scoring system developed by crypto investment boutique Elwood Asset Management. The article cites Apple, chip manufacturer Intel, graphics processing units manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices, mining hardware manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and United States exchange supporting Bitcoin futures CME Group as examples of companies …

Estonia-based digital trading platform DX.Exchange has added tokenized Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to its services, according to press release shared with Cointelegraph on March 6. The move involves the tokenization of popular ETFs, such as SPY, which represents the S&P 500, and QQQ, which backs the Nasdaq Composite at a 1:1 ratio. UWT (crude oil) and UDOW are among other ETFs offered on the platform. The ETFs offered can now be purchased both for cryptocurrencies and fiat during trading hours as well as after-hours. According to the press release, the introduction of tokenized ETFs on DX.Exchange complies both with the latest …

An official at South Korea’s sole securities exchange operator, the Korea Exchange (KRX), says the bourse is closely eyeing developments from United States regulators in regard to Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The official, reportedly speaking on condition of anonymity, was cited by local English-language daily The Korea Herald on Feb. 20. ETFs are securities that track a basket of assets proportionately represented in the fund’s shares. They are seen by some as a potential development that would herald the widespread adoption of crypto as a regulated and passive investment instrument. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has to …

United States regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says it will shortly commence the countdown period to approval or disapproval of the VanEck/SolidX Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The news was announced in an unpublished notice that was filed on Feb. 19. The move is the latest in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between the SEC and ETF sponsors. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) — the exchange applying with the SEC to list the Bitcoin ETF — had withdrawn its application for a rule change on the ETF in January, ostensibly due in part to the U.S. government shutdown. …

United States Commodity and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) commissioner Brian Quintenz has suggested that participants in the cryptocurrency industry should create a self-regulatory structure. Quintenz made his remarks during a Bipartisan Policy Center panel held on Feb. 12. More precisely, Quintenz said that because of the CFTC’s lack of crypto statutory oversight capability, he suggested that crypto “platforms come together to form some type of self-regulatory structure where they can discuss, agree to, implement, and hopefully examine or audit.” According to Quintenz, such an organization could carry out audits concerning conflicts of interest, business conduct, insider trading, redemptions, custody and …

This interview has been edited and condensed. The author of the "The Bitcoin Big Bang — How Alternative Currencies Are About to Change the World," Brian Kelly calls himself an optimist when it comes to the future of the cryptocurrencies. CNBC’s prominent commentator, who is also the founder and CEO of digital currency investment firm BKCM LLC, analyzes markets on an everyday basis and tends to be 50 percent right “trading-wise.” We met with Brian Kelly at the Crypto Finance Conference in Switzerland and talked about Bitcoin ETFs, the next financial crisis, and the best and worst jobs at the …

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) started reviewing a rule change proposal for NYSE Arca’s Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) on Feb. 11, according to an official document published today, Feb. 15. According to the notice, the NYSE Arca exchange filed a rule change proposal to list and trade shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Trust under its NYSE Arca Rule 8.201-E on Jan. 28. The SEC is now expected to provide an initial decision to approve or reject the proposal within 45 days starting from the day of publication of the announcement, Feb. 15. In the case …

Brian Quintenz, a Commissioner at the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has argued against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) grounds for not approving a Bitcoin (BTC) exchange traded fund (ETF). Quintenz made his remarks during a panel at the BiPartisan Policy Center in Washington D.C. on Feb. 12. Quintenz specifically argued that potential price manipulation should not be a barrier to the SEC approving a Bitcoin ETF. The CFTC Commissioner participated in the panel alongside SEC Commissioner Heister Peirce. Peirce has notably earned the moniker of “crypto mom” due to her vocal dissent against the SEC’s move …

The United States (U.S.) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has requested the withdrawal of a proposed exchange-traded-fund (ETF) submitted by Reality Shares ETF Trust, according to a letter published by the SEC on Feb. 12. In the document, the SEC specifies that the withdrawal was “at the request of the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No securities have been sold in connection with the offering of the Fund.” Reality Shares ETF Trust — which is a unit of crypto-focused fintech firm Blockforce Capital — initially filed a proposal for an ETF, that would invest in a portfolio …