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January 17, 2024

Bitcoin ETF Approved By The SEC – How Does It Work And What Will This Mean For Investors?

Bitcoin ETF Approved By The SEC
Katya Richardson

Written by Katya Richardson

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On Wednesday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave the green light to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that align with the value of bitcoin, marking a significant turning point for the cryptocurrency sector. For over a decade, the industry has been striving to launch such a product, making this approval a noteworthy event.

Initially, the SEC has given the nod to a range of bitcoin ETF proposals. Among the approved applicants are prominent names in the financial and cryptocurrency spheres, including Grayscale, Bitwise, BlackRock, Fidelity, Hashdex, BZX, VanEck, WisdomTree, and Franklin.

These products are pivotal for the cryptocurrency market, and their approval is seen as a significant milestone. Let’s delve into how these products function and why their endorsement is considered a major breakthrough.

Understanding the Bitcoin ETF: How it Works

Bitcoin ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds, represent a novel approach to investing in Bitcoin. They track the value of Bitcoin yet trade on conventional market exchanges, such as the NYSE or TSX, rather than on cryptocurrency platforms. This offers investors the advantage of engaging with Bitcoin without the complexities associated with cryptocurrency exchanges, while also mirroring its price movements.

In the case of a Bitcoin ETF, the mechanism is straightforward: the value of a single share in the ETF fluctuates with Bitcoin’s price. Thus, if Bitcoin’s value surges, the ETF’s value follows suit, and the reverse holds. However, unlike trading directly on a cryptocurrency exchange, investors deal with the ETF on a traditional market exchange.

Bitcoin ETF Approved By The SEC

Importantly, a Bitcoin ETF isn’t limited to holding just Bitcoin. Echoing the versatility of other exchange-traded funds, Bitcoin ETFs can encompass a blend of assets, including other cryptocurrencies, stocks, bonds, and assorted commodities. This feature allows investors to diversify their portfolios further, leveraging the potential of Bitcoin while mitigating risk through a broader asset base.

Hence, Bitcoin ETFs present an accessible, diversified investment avenue, particularly appealing to those seeking exposure to Bitcoin’s potential within a more familiar and diversified market framework.

How to Participate in Bitcoin ETFs

Investing in a Bitcoin ETF represents an appealing option for those seeking a more conventional approach to delving into the digital currency realm. Direct investment in Bitcoin often presents complexities, including decisions about secure storage and choosing the right exchange for purchase. Bitcoin ETFs simplify this process by encapsulating crypto futures contracts within an ETF framework.

Bitcoin ETF Benefits

This ETF structure potentially eases the path for institutional investors to engage with the cryptocurrency market, potentially sustaining robust demand for Bitcoin. Like most regulated securities, Bitcoin ETFs are accessible through top-tier online brokerage and investment platforms.

Numerous platforms have lodged applications with the SEC for the commencement of Bitcoin ETF trading, with 11 approvals granted to date. These approvals include prominent names like Grayscale, Bitwise, BlackRock, Fidelity, Hashdex, BZX, VanExk, WisdomTree, and Franklin.

Implications of the Bitcoin ETF for Bitcoin and Investors

The implication of the Bitcoin EFT marks a pivotal moment for both Bitcoin and its investors. This development significantly bolsters Bitcoin’s accessibility and credibility, simplifying the process for a broader spectrum of investors to tap into Bitcoin without grappling with the intricacies of directly managing the cryptocurrency. Such enhanced accessibility is poised to spur increased demand, which could, in turn, drive up prices.

Echoing the sentiments of many cryptocurrency experts, the approval of a Bitcoin ETF is widely anticipated to have a positive impact on Bitcoin’s value. Notably, Bitcoin’s price experienced a modest uptick of 0.3% in just an hour following Wednesday’s announcement, nudging its value near the $46,000 mark, according to the latest data from CoinMarketCap.

Moreover, the listing of a Bitcoin ETF on prominent exchanges further cements Bitcoin’s stature as a viable investment asset. ETFs are instrumental in bolstering liquidity and enhancing price discovery within the Bitcoin market. This enables a higher volume of transactions within a regulated framework, offering a more precise representation of market sentiments in Bitcoin’s pricing.

Furthermore, the advent of a Bitcoin ETF opens doors for institutional investors, potentially ushering in significant capital inflows. This influx of institutional money could not only elevate Bitcoin’s price but also contribute to its overall market stability.

Read more: The Ups and Downs of Cryptocurrency: Why Is Crypto So Volatile?

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