SEC Does Not Give Passage to Grayscale’s Ethereum Futures ETF: No Decision Until 2024!

• The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that the review period for Grayscale’s Ethereum Futures ETF has recently been extended.
• In August, Grayscale achieved a legal victory to review the SEC’s previous rejection for a conversion of the Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).
• The market, especially after the entries of significant financial players like BlackRock, closely monitors the SEC’s stance on spot Bitcoin ETFs.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has once again extended the review period for Grayscale’s Ethereum Futures ETF.

SEC Extends Grayscale’s Application

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that the review period for Grayscale’s Ethereum Futures ETF has recently been extended. This move pushes the final decision date to January 1, 2024. The SEC filing indicates that the proposed rules will follow a straightforward path, either approving or rejecting them, or initiating proceedings to determine the validity of the proposal. This extension provides an additional time frame for the SEC to carefully consider its decision.

In October, Grayscale applied to convert its Ethereum Trust from a Non-Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to an ETF. Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein highlighted this step as a significant moment to integrate Ethereum more closely within the U.S. regulatory frameworks.

Furthermore, in August, Grayscale achieved a legal victory to review the SEC’s previous rejection for a conversion of the Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). While not directly approving this proposal, this legal milestone marked a significant pushback against the SEC’s initial rejection, considered inconsistent with the approval of Bitcoin futures ETFs.

Moreover, the financial world is experiencing a surge of interest in crypto-based ETFs. Ark Invest and 21Shares are introducing funds that include Bitcoin and Ether futures. These developments came alongside the launch of six ETFs carrying Ether futures in early October, accumulating around $20 million in assets by early November. The market is closely watching the SEC’s stance on spot Bitcoin ETFs, especially after the entries of significant financial players like BlackRock.

SEC’s Cautious Approach

In conclusion, the SEC’s extension for Grayscale’s Ethereum ETF review reflects not only the product development of a single company but also broader regulatory and market dynamics surrounding crypto investments.

As traditional financial institutions like BlackRock show interest in crypto ETFs, the SEC’s decisions become increasingly crucial for the future landscape of digital asset investments. Therefore, the extended review period for Grayscale’s proposal plays a critical role in the regulatory narrative for crypto ETFs in the United States.