Grayscale GBTC Discount Lowest In 2 Years, Bitcoin ETF Approval Imminent?

Anvesh Reddy
November 9, 2023 Updated July 21, 2025
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US SEC Seeks Public Comments on Grayscale's Litecoin ETF Proposal

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ($GBTC) discount is currently at its lowest since November 2021, in what could be a sign of investor confidence in the approval of the first ever spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States. The GBTC discount is the percentage of the amount that the GBTC is trading above or below its net asset value, in this case Bitcoin BTC price.

Also Read: XRP Attorney Predicts BTC Price At $500K, Shares Ideal Scenario

Grayscale GBTC Conversion

While analysts predict a 90% chance of a spot Bitcoin ETF approval by January 2024, Grayscale’s filing for conversion of GBTC into a spot ETF also has a legal binding thanks to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit verdict. Among the 12 companies vying for the spot Bitcoin ETF approvals, experts foresee the likelihood of a flurry of approvals from the US SEC all at the same time, to avoid giving out a single company the first mover advantage.

In terms of direct ETF filings, the Ark 21Shares spot Bitcoin ETF filing is scheduled first for decision making by the US SEC, which has a deadline of January 10. However, any action in the Grayscale lawsuit could mean the GBTC conversion to spot ETF along with approval of a bunch of ETF filings. In an August 29, 2023 judgment, a US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit cleared the way for approval of the Grayscale spot ETF.

GBTC Discount: What It Means

The GBTC discount is currently at -12.26%, which is the lowest since November 2021, compared to the -48% in December 2022 following the catastrophic FTX collapse that led to low investor sentiment in the crypto market. Hence, the low discount shows optimism among market participants amid increasing expectation of a Bitcoin ETF approval. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price is around 120% higher compared to an year ago.

Also Read: US SEC Counters Binance Plea, Citing Legal Misinterpretation

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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.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal 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.

About Author
About Author
Anvesh reports major crypto updates around U.S. regulation and market moving trends. Published over 1400 articles so far on crypto and blockchain. A proud dropout of University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Can be reached at [email protected] or x.com/BitcoinReddy or linkedin.com/in/anveshreddybtc/
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.