SEC Chair Gary Gensler Hinted At Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval?

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas clears the air on speculation of a spot Bitcoin ETF approval in response to SEC Chair Gary Gensler's post.
By Varinder Singh
Updated December 2, 2023
SEC to Close Office Involved in Failed DEBT Box Crypto Lawsuit

A spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is most awaited not just by the crypto market, but also traditional financial services industry. While SEC Chair Gary Gensler remained silent on prospects of spot Bitcoin ETF approval, his post on X raised speculation of a Bitcoin ETF approval. A Bloomberg ETF analyst explains the motive behind Gensler’s post and is confident about a forthcoming approval.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Bloomberg ETF Analyst Clears Air On Gary Gensler’s Post

U.S. SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s video post about the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, which is in talks with spot Bitcoin ETF issuers, led people to speculate about a forthcoming approval. Surprisingly, the post came amid the SEC-BlackRock meeting and the SEC’s decision on Franklin Templeton and Hashdex spot Bitcoin ETF applications.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas agreed that the timing is perfect and SEC has done this for every division at this point. He said it’s not a big deal as there are other legit signs indicating a forthcoming approval.

He also said BlackRock met with the SEC’s Trading & Markets division again and presented them with a “revised” in-kind model design based on comments at their earlier meeting last week.

Image

Commenting on the video, VanEck and Tether advisor Gabor Gurbacs said:

“Having to rely on reading tea-leaves and tweet-sequences from a single man does not sound like a free, functioning or optimal capital market supervision structure for the largest market in the world.”

Also Read: Australia Unveils Bold Strategy To Tackle Banking And Crypto Scams

Advertisement
Advertisement

Signs of Forthcoming Spot Bitcoin ETF

At the Healthy Markets Association conference on November 29, Gary Gensler said he would not “pre-judge” the matter, when a reporter asked him about the prospects of spot Bitcoin ETF approval as he had denied multiple spot Bitcoin ETF applications.

Grayscale has made a few amendments to the agreement of its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), for the very first time since 2018, in preparation for a potential transition to a spot Bitcoin ETF.

The SEC gave the update on Franklin Templeton much earlier than its deadline of January 1, 2023. Meanwhile, the odds of approval are still at 90%, Balchunas stated the next update on the odds of spot Bitcoin ETF approval will be on January 10, 2024.

Also Read: Linda Yaccarino Candidly Defends Elon Musk & X’s Free Speech Stand As Advertisers Flee

Advertisement
Varinder Singh
Varinder has over 10 years of experience and is known as a seasoned leader for his involvement in the fintech sector. With over 5 years dedicated to blockchain, crypto, and Web3 developments, he has experienced two Bitcoin halving events making him key opinion leader in the space. At CoinGape Media, Varinder leads the editorial decisions, spearheading the news team to cover latest updates, markets trends and developments within the crypto industry. The company was recognized as Best Crypto Media Company 2024 for high impact and quality reporting. Being a Master of Technology degree holder, analytics thinker, technology enthusiast, Varinder has shared his knowledge of disruptive technologies in over 5000+ news, articles, and papers.
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.