The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reportedly chosen not to appeal a recent court decision that favored Grayscale Investments. This decision has implications for the cryptocurrency market, particularly with regard to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications.
The ruling in question mandates that the SEC review Grayscale’s application to convert its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a spot Bitcoin ETF. The court’s decision came from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
According to Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart, the SEC’s decision not to appeal the ruling signifies a significant step in the approval process for cryptocurrency-based ETFs. Seyffart also stated that the SEC is expected to commence discussions with Grayscale in the coming week, and a new response from the SEC could be anticipated within the next two weeks.
Seyffart further predicts that there is a high likelihood of a spot Bitcoin ETF being approved, potentially by January 2024. He also mentioned that this decision could pave the way for other cryptocurrency-related ETFs.
Bitcoin Analyst Predictions & Insights
Other experts in the field, like Michaël van de Poppe and Crypto Rover, echoed the sentiment that the SEC’s choice not to appeal Grayscale’s win suggests a positive outlook for the cryptocurrency market. Poppe noted that the institutional framework for cryptocurrency investment is being designed, and Crypto Rover stated that the SEC might not have a basis to reject any Bitcoin Spot ETFs.
Several spot Bitcoin ETF applications are currently awaiting the SEC’s decision. The final deadline for the initial application from ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, is set for January 10, 2024. There is optimism in the industry that if the SEC approves one ETF, it may pave the way for the approval of others.
Overall, the decision by the SEC not to appeal the Grayscale case is seen as a positive signal for the cryptocurrency market, with analysts predicting the potential introduction of Bitcoin Spot ETFs in the near future, potentially even before January 2024. However, this development could mark a significant step in legitimizing cryptocurrency investments for institutional and retail investors alike.
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