Cboe Continues Push For Bitcoin ETFs

This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.

Cboe Global Markets, the first exchange operator in the U.S. to offer bitcoin futures, said U.S. regulators should not be preventing exchange traded funds based on the digital currency from coming to market because bitcoin-based ETFs would be similar to commodities exchange traded products.

Bitcoin futures debuted on the Cboe in December, followed by a launch on the CME. Nasdaq Inc. is still considering entering the bitcoin futures competition. Market observers previously expected Nasdaq to launch futures on the digital currency this year, perhaps as early as the second quarter.

Related: How Do You Buy Bitcoin?

“The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said in January that 'significant investor protection issues' needed to be examined before bitcoin-based ETFs could be offered and it also had concerns around how the products would be priced, stored and safeguarded,” reports Reuters.

Failure To Launch Bitcoin ETFs

Derivatives help increase liquidity and improve markets for an asset category by allowing investors to bet on ups and downs of an asset, evening allowing individuals to adopt market-neutral strategies. They are also a key component in the creation of many futures-backed ETFs utilized by a range of investors.

However, the debut of bitcoin futures has not served as a launchpad for ETFs based on the cryptocurrency. In fact, ETF issuers have been withdrawing plans for bitcoin funds.

Related: Japanese Regulator Crimps Bitcoin

Direxion, ProShares and VanEck are among a handful of ETF issuers that have withdrawn filings to launch bitcoin ETFs at the request of U.S. regulators. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requested the issuers withdraw their filings.

The SEC “has denied or tabled more than a dozen proposals for funds that would own bitcoin or futures based on them, including four separate proposals submitted by Cboe, such as the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust,” according to Reuters.

However, Cboe is urging the SEC to reconsider bitcoin-based ETFs.

“Cboe asked the SEC to evaluate each cryptocurrency fund and underlying cryptocurrency-related holdings on a case-by-case basis,” reports Reuters. “boe asked the SEC to evaluate each cryptocurrency fund and underlying cryptocurrency-related holdings on a case-by-case basis.”

Earlier this month, Grayscale Investments, the operator of the Bitcoin Investment Trust (OTCQX: GBTC) introduced the Bitcoin Cash Investment Trust, Ethereum Investment Trust, Litecoin Investment Trust, and XRP Investment Trust. Those products are not structured as ETFs.

For more information on the cryptocurrency, visit our Bitcoin category.

More from ETF Trends Saudi Arabia ETF Pops as Investors Wait on FTSE Decision Cboe Continues Push For Bitcoin ETFs Trump Tariff Talk Lifts Gold ETFs Smart Beta Strategies Not Limited to Large-Cap Stocks Japanese Regulator Crimps Bitcoin

Read more at ETFtrends.com >