Bitcoin ETFs approved by SEC, what could this mean for the future of blockchain-powered trading?
Bitcoin ETFs and the implications for the future of blockchain-powered applications
By Vanessa Malone
Last week on January 10th, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission granted approval for the first-ever U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) designed to track the performance of bitcoin. The SEC has approved 11 applications,¹ including BlackRock, Ark Investments/21Shares, Bitwise, Fidelity, Grayscale, Invesco and VanEck.
This development is widely regarded within the industry as a significant and pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency and greater blockchain sector. What are bitcoin ETFs and the implications this regulatory decision could have for the industry?
First, it’s important to note that Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market, is not a cryptocurrency market and does not allow account funding via Bitcoin or crypto trading. Upstream is a securities trading venue powered by smart-contract technology.
With that, let’s dive in.
What is a spot bitcoin ETF?
An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a publicly traded investment vehicle that tracks the value of an underlying asset.² A spot bitcoin ETF is an investment vehicle that provides ordinary investors exposure to the price moves of bitcoin from their regular brokerage accounts.³ The purpose of this kind of ETF is to mirror the price of bitcoins in the crypto market so investors can get exposure to bitcoin without going through the process of opening an account on a crypto exchange, creating a digital wallet, connecting the two, and holding their own crypto.
Spot bitcoin ETFs securely hold bitcoins in a secure digital vault, which registered custodians manage. The ETF creates shares based on a specific amount of bitcoins it possesses, with the share price reflecting the current market value of the cryptocurrency. These shares are publicly traded on regular stock exchanges, aiming to closely follow Bitcoin’s price, and the ETF adjusts its holdings periodically by buying or selling tokens. Spot bitcoin ETFs directly hold bitcoins, while derivatives-based bitcoin ETFs use financial tools such as futures contracts to replicate the prices of bitcoin.⁴
What is the significance of this regulatory approval?
The recent approval of bitcoin ETFs marks a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency landscape, ushering in a new era of more regulatory clarity.
While industry thought-leaders have been highly anticipating digital currency ETFs, approval for a bitcoin ETF has been in the works for more than 10 years, with one of the first applications coming in 2013.⁵
This, along with SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s more critical stance on cryptocurrencies, lends additional credibility to the approval of bitcoin ERFs and the idea of cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.
According to an interview from CNBC with Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, 52 million Americans already use crypto.⁶ This is despite the barriers to entry which include the complexities of crypto exchanges, digital wallets, and private keys which can be intimidating to some.
A bitcoin ETF removes some of these barriers, bringing digital currency to both retail investors and institutions who can gain exposure to this asset class through traditional brokerage accounts. As also stated by Armstrong in the CNBC interview, this move is expected to inject significant liquidity into the sector.
What could this mean for the future of blockchain as a whole?
As a smart-contract powered market and trading app, Upstream finds the news very promising. This development not only provides investors with a more accessible avenue to participate in the crypto market but also has broader implications for the adoption of blockchain technology.
With clearer regulations in place, market participants may find themselves more comfortable exploring the benefits of smart-contract powered applications. The trust instilled by the approval of bitcoin ETFs could lead to increased confidence in utilizing blockchain-powered markets, such as Upstream, where the benefits of decentralized technology are harnessed to create a more seamless and secure securities trading experience for issuers and investors.
Upstream, a MERJ Exchange market is not a cryptocurrency market but a stock market and trading app powered by Ethereum smart-contract technology. The app-based marketplace facilitates real-time trading and instant settlement and offers issuers around the globe opportunities to dual-list, launch IPOs, fund celebrity ventures, create spin-offs, and more. Addressing some of the common barriers described above that may have blocked investors from Bitcoin, Upstream makes securities trading as simple and familiar as downloading an app, signing up, completing light-touch KYC, then funding the account with a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or USDC stablecoin.
All blockchain technology and digital wallet creation happens under the hood but issuers can benefit from accessing a global, digital-first investor base that can access their company shares from anywhere using a trading app.
Learn more at: https://upstream.exchange/GetListed or reach the team at hello@upstream.exchange.
For our growing investor community, we are just getting started on introducing unique issuers to the platform to browse. Download today at https://upstream.exchange.
Sources
1 Decrypt | 2 Decrypt | 3 Investopedia| 4 Investopedia | 5 Reuters | 6 CNBC
Disclaimers
U.S. persons may not deposit, buy, or sell securities on Upstream.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is not permitted. NFTs have no royalties, equity ownership, or dividends. NFTs are for utility, collection, redemption, or display purposes only. Anyone may buy and sell NFTs on Upstream. All orders for sale are non-solicited by Upstream and a user’s decision to trade securities must be based on their own investment judgment.
Upstream is a MERJ Exchange market. MERJ Exchange is a licensed Securities Exchange, an affiliate of the World Federation of Exchanges, a National Numbering Agency, and a member of ANNA. MERJ is regulated in the Seychelles by the Financial Services Authority, https://fsaseychelles.sc/, an associate member of the International Association of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). MERJ supports global issuers of traditional and digital securities through the entire asset life cycle from issuance to trading, clearing, settlement, and registry. It operates a fair and transparent marketplace in line with international best practices and principles of operations of financial markets. Upstream does not endorse or recommend any public or private securities bought or sold on its app. Upstream does not offer investment advice or recommendations of any kind. All services offered by Upstream are intended for self-directed clients who make their own investment decisions without aid or assistance from Upstream. All customers are subject to the rules and regulations of their jurisdiction. By accessing the site or app, you agree to be bound by its terms of use and privacy policy. Company and security listings on Upstream are only suitable for investors who are familiar with and willing to accept the high risk associated with speculative investments, often in early and development-stage companies. U.S. persons may not deposit, buy, or sell securities on Upstream. There can be no assurance the valuation of any particular company’s securities is accurate or in agreement with the market or industry comparative valuations. Investors must be able to afford market volatility and afford the loss of their investment. Companies listed on Upstream are subject to significant ongoing corporate obligations including, but not limited to disclosure, filings, and notification requirements, as well as compliance with applicable quantitative and qualitative listing standards.
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