Bitcoin Surges Past $28,000 and GBTC Discount Narrows to 17%

Following Grayscale Investments’ decisive win in its lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bitcoin’s value reached an apex of $28,142 on Binance. Concurrently, the discount rate for Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) experienced a notable contraction, shrinking from a previous 25% to a current 17%.

The court ruling has instilled renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency market, leading to bullish sentiment and immediate market reactions. On August 29, 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Grayscale Investments, allowing the firm to convert its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into an exchange-traded fund (ETF). This groundbreaking decision has set a precedent for digital asset managers and has opened new avenues for regulated cryptocurrency investments.

The market’s swift response to the legal victory was evident not just in Bitcoin’s new peak but also in the increased demand for GBTC shares, as reflected in the rapidly compressing discount rate.

Digital Currency Group (DCG), the parent company of Grayscale, expressed their satisfaction with the court’s decision. In a tweet, DCG stated, “Today’s ruling by the D.C. Circuit in favor of @Grayscale and $GBTC is a historic victory for crypto advocates. We are pleased with the immense progress that this decision represents.”

The rise in Bitcoin’s price and the decrease in the GBTC discount rate are both direct results of Grayscale’s success in their legal battle against the SEC. The regulatory environment is always shifting, and market players will be paying careful attention to how recent developments and upcoming changes will affect the bitcoin ecosystem as a whole as this process continues.

Image source: Shutterstock

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GBTC’s Discount to NAV Hits New Record Low after SEC Declining its Bitcoin Spot ETF Application

The shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) saw a new record low of -31% last Thursday, June 30; that is, GBTC’s discount hit -31%, its lowest point in history.

The discount means the market price of GBTC shares is over 31% lower than its net asset value (the value of the underlying Bitcoin).

Before the news regarding U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ‘s rejecting Grayscale’s application to turn its GBTC instrument into an ETF last Wednesday, the GBTC discount was 28.4%.

Investors in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) face more losses as the popular investment product widens its record discount.

GBTC has long been an investment product of choice for several institutional investors, providing them exposure to Bitcoin without the need to buy the underlying asset.

However, the offering has many drawbacks, including a six-month lockup period and an annual management fee of 2%.

There are several factors behind the poor performance of GBTC. The current discount potentially means a weakening interest in the asset, as there is more GBTC supply than demand. This indicates a bearish signal of broader institutional sentiment towards Bitcoin. Furthermore, new competitive products in the market, like Canadian Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), also give new alternatives to investors.

GBTC’s record low comes as Bitcoin struggles below the $20,000 mark. The crypto market has extended its losses as several major crypto coins are in a bloodbath. Bitcoin was trading at $19,080 per coin during the Asia trading sessions on Monday local time. Wider cryptocurrencies have further plunged as investors maintained a panic selling after the recent liquidation of crypto hedge fund- Three Arrows Capital (3AC).

Further Road Ahead

Grayscale considers the conversion of GBTC into a Bitcoin ETF as the best solution. The company recently said it is “100% committed” to turning the investment product into a Bitcoin ETF. However, it appears that the regulatory environment in the U.S. is still not ready.

Last week, Grayscale sued the SEC a few hours after the regulator rejected its application to convert its flagship Grayscale Bitcoin Trust product (GBTC) to an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Last Wednesday, the SEC turned down Grayscale’s application for a spot Bitcoin ETF, citing the investment management firm’s failure to answer questions about market manipulation concerns. The regulator is concerned investors would lack adequate protections under the Grayscale proposal.

In the past, Grayscale had piled pressure on the regulator to side with its application. In early May, Grayscale met privately with the SEC to persuade the watchdog to approve the conversion of its GBTC into an ETF.

Converting the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a NYSE-traded exchange-traded fund (ETF) would widen access to Bitcoin, enhance protections, and unlock up to $8 billion in value for investors. And a discount would disappear upon conversion, that is, according to Grayscale.

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I picked up my bull market participation badge. The first time I bought this watch a few years ago it cost me somewhere between 5-10 BTC. It was only about half a coin this time, what a discount.

I picked up my bull market participation badge.

The first time I bought this watch a few years ago it cost me somewhere between 5-10 #BTC.

It was only about half a coin this time, what a discount. https://t.co/lFdpQdzwDW

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Stay in tune with what assets are seeing increased discussion and tokens moving on and off exchanges. Our PRO subscriptions are currently being handed out at a 35% discount for the holidays! Use code xmas2020san at checkout! https://t.co/LBJZFyGrXp

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But reducing AUM also lowers the management fees. So GBTC may not sell Bitcoin to close the discount, but only sell what is needed to cover the steep 2% annual management fee. Those sales alone could result in Grayscale going from the biggest Bitcoin buyer to the biggest seller.

But reducing AUM also lowers the management fees. So GBTC may not sell Bitcoin to close the discount, but only sell what is needed to cover the steep 2% annual management fee. Those sales alone could result in Grayscale going from the biggest Bitcoin buyer to the biggest seller.

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With Bitcoin’s biggest buyer sidelined, the price of Bitcoin will fall even faster, causing even more GBTC holders to want out, further widening the discount to NAV. If Grayscale wants to close that gap it will have to sell Bitcoin and buy back shares, pushing Bitcoin even lower.

With Bitcoin’s biggest buyer sidelined, the price of Bitcoin will fall even faster, causing even more GBTC holders to want out, further widening the discount to NAV. If Grayscale wants to close that gap it will have to sell Bitcoin and buy back shares, pushing Bitcoin even lower.

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I was wrong. GBTC accepts new deposits which they use to buy more #Bitcoin, but do not allow withdrawals. What a scam. They change a 2% annual fee to babysit your Bitcoin, then force you to sell your shares at a discount if you want out. Arbs will then sell Bitcoin and buy GBTC.

I was wrong. GBTC accepts new deposits which they use to buy more #Bitcoin, but do not allow withdrawals. What a scam. They change a 2% annual fee to babysit your Bitcoin, then force you to sell your shares at a discount if you want out. Arbs will then sell Bitcoin and buy GBTC.

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