Bitcoin ETF: SEC Declares First Trust’s Application “Abandoned”

The US SEC has declared the First Trust SkyBridge Bitcoin ETF application "Abandoned" after 9 months of application
By Godfrey Benjamin
Breaking: Susquehanna International Holds $1.3B in 10 Bitcoin ETFs, $1B in GBTC

Highlights

  • First Trust SkyBridge Bitcoin ETF application has been declared "Abandoned" by the US SEC
  • This is a rare case of Bitcoin ETF application that never materializes
  • Other spot Bitcoin ETFs have been greenlighted and thriving today

After several months of lying fallow, First Trust SkyBridge Bitcoin ETF has been declared “abandoned” by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Advertisement
Advertisement

Abandoned ETF Application

According to the screenshot shared by senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, on March 12, 2024, the U.S. SEC officially ordered that the registration statement for spot Bitcoin ETF of the duo First Trust and SkyBridge be declared as abandoned. The regulator confirmed that First Trust and SkyBridge had jointly filed a registration statement to register securities under Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Before the recent announcement from the U.S. regulator, the application had spent up to nine months on the SEC’s desk and was yet to become effective. First Trust SkyBridge was sent a notification informing them that the registration statement would be declared abandoned if no action is taken to either withdraw or amend the filing. Unfortunately, no response was received in this regard.

The lack of response or action from the asset managers prompted the decision of the SEC. It is worth noting that this is not the first time the duo would be applying to list spot Bitcoin ETF. In 2022, the SEC rejected the application as it did with others at the time. 

The rejection followed an initial interest to list an ETF on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2021. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Spot Bitcoin ETF Breaking Major Milestones

Notably, the reasons for the lack of interest to continue the First Trust SkyBridge Bitcoin ETF application is not yet clear. 

Had the application joined the approved offerings in January, it might have benefitted from the outstanding results registered by a number of the spot Bitcoin ETF issuers including BlackRock that has kept drawing attention to the nascent ecosystem. 

As reported earlier, there was a robust total weekly net inflow of spot Bitcoin ETFs which stood at $2.23 billion.

BlackRock’s IBIT added Fidelity’s FBTC registered about $700 million in inflows on March 12. On its own, BlackRock’s IBIT surpassed MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings with a net inflow of $2.07 billion in the week. Of all the ten spot Bitcoin ETFs, BlackRock has remained the leader with huge influx in its flows and trading volume.

Ultimately, the attention that spot Bitcoin ETFs are receiving has translated to a rally in the price of Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency hit a new all-time-high (ATH) above $72,000.

Advertisement
Godfrey Benjamin
Benjamin Godfrey is a blockchain enthusiast and journalists who relish writing about the real life applications of blockchain technology and innovations to drive general acceptance and worldwide integration of the emerging technology. His desires to educate people about cryptocurrencies inspires his contributions to renowned blockchain based media and sites. Benjamin Godfrey is a lover of sports and agriculture. Follow him on X, Linkedin
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.