SEC delays ruling on Bitcoin ETF

SEC delays ruling on Bitcoin ETF
The agency is seeking more public comment on a proposal to list a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund on Cboe.
JUN 16, 2021

U.S. regulators have once again punted their decision on whether to approve a Bitcoin ETF.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said in a Wednesday regulatory filing that it will seek more public comment on a proposal to list a product on Cboe Global Markets Inc. It’s not the first time this year that the SEC has delayed giving an answer to the legions of crypto advocates pushing for a way to trade the largest cryptocurrency in an exchange-traded fund format.

Crypto enthusiasts have long been frustrated by the agency’s reluctance to sign off on a Bitcoin ETF, a product that could catapult the world’s most valuable digital token into the mainstream among institutional investors.

There were predictions earlier this year that the regulator would be more receptive under SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who once taught classes on digital assets at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But since he took the reins in April, the agency has continued to express concerns that crypto exchanges lack oversight. And it has laid out fresh warnings about the risks of mutual funds investing in Bitcoin futures.

As part of Wednesday’s announcement, the SEC asked the public to weigh in on aspects of the Cboe proposal, which seeks approval of a VanEck Associates Corp. ETF. The SEC set deadlines into July and perhaps even August for people to respond. Here are some of the agency’s key questions:
Whether the trust and shares associated with the ETF would be susceptible to manipulation?
Whether Cboe’s plan is set up to prevent fraud and manipulation?
How transparent is Bitcoin?
Has regulation of the Bitcoin market changed substantially in the past five years?
What views do commentators have on the size and regulation of CME’s Bitcoin futures contracts?

Waiting for the Bitcoin ETFs

Latest News

Supreme Court blocks Trump's bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook
Supreme Court blocks Trump's bid to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook

A 5-4 ruling preserves the Federal Reserve's independence for now, but the legal fight over presidential removal power is far from settled.

Morgan Stanley boosts returns on client cash, analyst says
Morgan Stanley boosts returns on client cash, analyst says

For years, large firms have been facing penalties and questions from regulators over interest rates for clients’ cash accounts.

Volatility has been roiling the markets. But advisors have got the tools to deal with it
Volatility has been roiling the markets. But advisors have got the tools to deal with it

Market volatility can be stressful, but it also represents opportunity for advisors and their clients.

JPMorgan's succession clock is ticking — and this time, insiders say it's real
JPMorgan's succession clock is ticking — and this time, insiders say it's real

After years of mixed signals and shifting timelines from Jamie Dimon, Wall Street sources suggest the race to lead JPMorgan Chase has entered its decisive stretch.

How FINRA's updated gift rule forces firms to rethink compliance workflows
How FINRA's updated gift rule forces firms to rethink compliance workflows

Advisors and broker-dealers adjusting to the March 2026 threshold change face bigger challenges around back-end monitoring than the new dollar limit itself.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.