Crypto News

Cathie Wood Explains Why Gary Gensler Delayed spot Bitcoin ETF

Published by

As the U.S. SEC prepares to announce its decision on the approval status of 12 spot Bitcoin ETF applications, Cathie Wood of Ark Invest provides insights into how the securities regulator is likely to approach this matter in the future.

SEC Chair Wants to Become Treasury Secretary

During her interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday, November 14, Cathie Wood said that Gary Gensler is aspiring to be the Treasury Secretary and that might be the actual reason for him delaying the spot Bitcoin ETF.

Gensler’s hesitancy regarding a spot Bitcoin ETF is rooted in his concerns about potential manipulation, she added.  Considering the deep understanding SEC Chair Gary Gensler possesses about Bitcoin (BTC), it’s challenging to find a rational explanation for his opposition to a spot ETF, according to ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood.

She emphasized the decentralized and transparent nature of the Bitcoin network, making manipulation highly improbable. Wood noted Gensler’s expertise in the field, having taught a course on crypto and blockchain at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) before assuming the role of SEC Chair.

Regardless, Wood maintains a bullish stance on crypto, foreseeing the eventual approval of a spot ETF. She believes this approval could serve as one of the catalysts propelling the cryptocurrency market cap from its current $1 trillion to a substantial $25 trillion opportunity by 2030.

Bitcoin ETF Approval Soon

Last week, the Bitcoin price made a significant rally all the way up to $37,000 as the window for Bitcoin ETF approval opened up. The US SEC is likely to take the final call by the 17th of November. There’s a high chance that the SEC could further delay the ETF approval.

Bloomberg’s senior ETF strategist James Seyffart said that as the deadline approaches for three spot Bitcoin ETF applications, there’s a likelihood of SEC delay orders. Despite potential delays, our perspectives and the 90% probability for 19b-4 approval by January 10, 2024, remain unchanged.

Interestingly, BlackRock has mentioned some stablecoin risks that would arise for the spot Bitcoin ETF approval. BlackRock highlights the volatility of stablecoins, emphasizing their potential to cause fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price. Although stablecoins have a fixed value tied to the fiat currency, they often lose the peg in the case of events like the banking crisis following SVB’s collapse earlier this year.

Share
Bhushan Akolkar

Bhushan is a seasoned crypto writer with over eight years of experience spanning more than 10,000 contributions across multiple platforms like CoinGape, CoinSpeaker, Bitcoinist, Crypto News Flash, and others. Being a Fintech enthusiast, he loves reporting across Crypto, Blockchain, DeFi, Global Macros with a keen understanding in financial markets. 

He is committed to continuous learning and stays motivated by sharing the knowledge he acquires. In his free time, Bhushan enjoys reading thriller fiction novels and occasionally explores his culinary skills. Bhushan has a bachelors degree in electronics engineering, however, his interest in finance and economics drives him to crypto and blockchain.

Published by

Recent Posts

  • Bitcoin News

Bitcoin Index Options By Nasdaq Get SEC Greenlight, What Comes Next?

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq's proposal to launch Bitcoin index options.…

May 23, 2026
  • Regulation News

SEC Holds Back Tokenized Equity Rules Over Regulatory Concerns

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed plans to develop rules for trading…

May 23, 2026
  • Regulation News

US Court Rules Against Polymarket & Kalshi In Nevada, Washington Lawsuit

Another legal setback came for prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket. A federal appeals court…

May 23, 2026
  • Regulation News

Fed Rate Hike of 100 Bps Back In Focus As Kevin Warsh Takes Office

Kevin Warsh has officially stepped up as the new chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve,…

May 22, 2026
  • Crypto News

Prediction Market: U.S. House Panel Launches Insider Trading Probe Into Polymarket, Kalshi

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has launched an investigation into insider…

May 22, 2026
  • Crypto News

Polymarket Faces Crypto Hack Amid South Korea’s Probe Over Gambling Violations

Prediction market giant Polymarket is under fire as it has been the target of a…

May 22, 2026