Grayscale Initiates A Lawsuit Against the U.S. SEC Over Spot Bitcoin ETF Issues

Bhushan Akolkar
June 30, 2022 Updated July 13, 2022
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On Wednesday, June 29, the U.S. SEC rejected the Grayscale application for converting its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) vehicle to a spot Bitcoin.

The world’s largest digital asset manager Grayscale has finally decided to drag the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the court. “We’ve filed a lawsuit against the SEC,” said SEC chief Michael Sonnenshein.

Attorneys representing Grayscale Investments have filed a petition at the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the SEC’s decision to deny the conversion of its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to a spot Bitcoin ETF.

Grayscale had filed its application of converting its GBTC product to a spot Bitcoin ETF last year in November 2021. The final tenure of 240 days for the review consideration is ending this July 2022. Commenting on the latest denial, Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnehshein noted:

“Grayscale supports and believes in the SEC’s mandate to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets and facilitate capital formation — and we are deeply disappointed by and vehemently disagree with the SEC’s decision to continue to deny spot Bitcoin ETFs from coming to the U.S. market.

Through the ETF application review process, we believe American investors overwhelmingly voiced a desire to see GBTC convert to a spot Bitcoin ETF, which would unlock billions of dollars of investor capital while bringing the world’s largest Bitcoin fund further into the U.S. regulatory perimeter. We will continue to leverage the full resources of the firm to advocate for our investors and the equitable regulatory treatment of Bitcoin investment vehicles.”

Will A Spot Bitcoin ETF Come This Year?

Looking at the SEC’s past track record of rejecting several big applications, the securities regulator is in no mood for having this investment product in the market. Furthermore, the SEC is likely to tighten its grip in the crypto regulatory sector after major insolvencies and liquidity issues in the market.

However, Grayscale isn’t willing to give up this matter so easily. Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., Grayscale Senior Legal Strategist accused the SEC of failing to apply “consistent treatment to similar investment vehicles”. Verilli further added that they are looking to resolve this matter “productively and expeditiously”.

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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
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.
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.