Bitwise Spot Ethereum ETF Joins Line Waiting For SEC Approval

Key Points:

• The Bitwise spot Ethereum ETF is being filed to seek SEC approval, citing a correlation between spot and futures markets.
• Bitwise CIO anticipates $1 trillion in Bitcoin ETF investments as approval prospects dwindle.
• Investors are urged to stay focused amid crypto market volatility.

Bitwise, a prominent asset management firm, has submitted an application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the listing and trading of shares for a spot Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Bitwise Spot Ethereum ETF Application Was Filed Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

This filing, made on March 28 through a Form S-1 registration statement, comes as the SEC is considering regulatory oversight of Ethereum, potentially impacting future spot ETF listings.

The company aims to list the Bitwise spot Ethereum ETF on NYSE Arca following the successful approval of its spot Bitcoin ETF earlier this year. Bitwise’s filing includes an analysis demonstrating a “strong correlation” between the Ethereum spot market and CME Ethereum futures.

Bitwise spot Ethereum ETF adds to the growing interest in spot ETFs, with major financial players like BlackRock, Grayscale, and VanEck also seeking SEC approval for similar products. However, optimism for approval in May has waned, as the SEC has yet to engage with potential issuers, according to Bloomberg analysts.

Investor Caution Advised Amid Cryptocurrency Market Volatility

Despite the uncertainty, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan remains bullish on the future of cryptocurrency ETFs, projecting institutional investments of over $1 trillion in Bitcoin ETFs in the coming year. Hougan advises investors to maintain a long-term perspective amid the market’s volatility, particularly Bitcoin’s price fluctuations between $60,000 and $70,000.

The SEC faces a deadline on May 23 to approve or deny pending spot Ethereum ETF applications, including those from firms like Fidelity, Hashdex, and ARK 21Shares. While the likelihood of approval in May is estimated at around 35%, the landscape for cryptocurrency investments continues to evolve, driven by institutional interest and regulatory developments.