Bitwise to Launch Two Innovative Ethereum Futures ETFs on October 2

Bitwise Asset Management, America’s largest crypto index fund manager, announced the launch of two first-of-their-kind Ethereum Futures ETFs, AETH and BTOP, scheduled for October 2. These ETFs will provide investors with exposure to CME Ether futures in a regulated format, expanding Bitwise’s existing suite of crypto investment products.

Bitwise Asset Management, a leading player in the crypto asset management space, has announced the launch of two groundbreaking Ethereum-themed Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (ticker: AETH) and the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF (ticker: BTOP) are set to begin trading on October 2, 2023. These ETFs are the first to offer investors exposure to CME Ether futures through a regulated ETF format.

Based in San Francisco, Bitwise offers a broad range of crypto investment vehicles, including more than 20 products and five ETFs. The firm is known for its focus on quality education and research, partnering with financial advisors and investment professionals.

“Ethereum now has billions in revenue, millions of users, and thousands of distinct apps and developers,” said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley. According to data, stablecoins processed over $1 trillion in transactions in Q1 2023 alone, growing from virtually non-existent in 2019 to a $125 billion market today. Additionally, the total capital in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on Ethereum has surged 60-fold since 2019, reaching $40 billion.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan stated that Ethereum offers a broader portfolio opportunity than Bitcoin, with low correlation to traditional equities. However, it’s essential to note that both Bitcoin and Ethereum futures are subject to unique and substantial risks, including price volatility and liquidity risks.

AETH: Focuses on regulated CME Ether futures, primarily front-month contracts. The fund custodian is Bank of New York Mellon, with an expense ratio of 0.85%.

BTOP: Provides equal exposure to regulated CME Bitcoin and Ether futures. The fund custodian is also Bank of New York Mellon, with an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Bitwise also warns investors should be aware that these ETFs do not invest directly in Bitcoin or Ethereum but in their respective futures contracts. The funds are subject to various risks, including price volatility, liquidity risk, and the cost of futures investment.

On the same day that Bitwise Asset Management is set to launch its Ethereum Futures ETFs, AETH and BTOP, ProShares is also launching its own groundbreaking products. ProShares will introduce the first-ever ETF focused solely on Ether, along with two blended ETFs that offer exposure to both Bitcoin and Ether. Similar to Bitwise’s offerings, ProShares’ new ETFs are designed to provide investors with a more accessible and regulated way to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies, eliminating the need for a separate crypto custodian or wallet.

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SEC Delays Decision on Spot Bitcoin ETFs Due to U.S. Government Shutdown Concerns

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States has recently announced the postponement of its decision regarding several proposals for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This decision impacts applications from well-known entities such as BlackRock, Invesco, Bitwise, and Valkyrie, as stated in separate filings made on September 28.

The surprise delay, which came two weeks earlier than the anticipated deadline between October 16–19, has left many applicants puzzled. Analysts, including James Seyffart from Bloomberg ETFs, suggest that the applications submitted by Fidelity, VanEck, and WisdomTree might face similar delays.

The timing of these delays is directly linked to the looming shutdown of the United States government, expected to commence on October 1 or possibly even earlier, according to James Seyffart. This situation is poised to disrupt various federal agencies, including financial regulators.

This means we are expecting all #Bitcoin ETF’s squared in Magenta to get their Delay orders today or tomorrow. (these are early due to the govt shutdown)

The SEC’s decision to postpone a significant number of spot Bitcoin ETF applicants was initially made at the end of August, just as the first deadline was approaching. Market participants now await the SEC’s decision, which is expected no later than the middle of March.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to postpone the evaluation of spot Bitcoin ETF applications has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency and financial markets. These ETFs are highly anticipated by both institutional and retail investors, as they would provide a regulated and accessible way to invest in Bitcoin.

The delay, however, is not merely a bureaucratic decision. It is rooted in the practical concerns of the potential U.S. government shutdown. This shutdown, if it occurs, could disrupt the normal functioning of various federal agencies, including the SEC. As a result, the SEC has opted to defer its decisions on these crucial ETF applications to ensure that they are made under stable and secure conditions.

The news of the SEC’s decision has had a mixed impact on the cryptocurrency market. On one hand, it reflects the SEC’s cautious approach to approving Bitcoin-related financial products, which has been a consistent theme in recent years. On the other hand, market participants were hopeful that these ETFs would bring more institutional money into the cryptocurrency space, potentially driving up prices.

Investors in cryptocurrency-related assets, including Bitcoin, have been closely watching the ETF approval process. The delay has introduced uncertainty into the market, which often responds negatively to such uncertainties. Bitcoin’s price experienced a slight dip in response to the news, but the full extent of the market’s reaction remains to be seen.

The SEC’s decision to postpone the evaluation of spot Bitcoin ETFs due to concerns about a potential U.S. government shutdown has added another layer of complexity to the cryptocurrency regulatory landscape. While it is a temporary setback, it underscores the regulatory challenges that cryptocurrencies face as they continue to gain mainstream attention.

Market participants will closely monitor developments surrounding these ETF applications and the U.S. government’s funding situation. The decision expected by mid-March will provide clarity on whether these ETFs will finally become a reality. In the meantime, the cryptocurrency market will continue to evolve, with or without the ETFs, as it matures and adapts to changing regulatory dynamics.

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SEC Could Approve All Ethereum ETFs Concurrently

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly gearing up to approve several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking Ethereum futures concurrently. This move signifies a potential shift in the regulatory stance towards digital asset-based ETFs.

Asset management firm Volatility Shares has announced plans to debut its ETF, which tracks futures linked to Ethereum, on October 12. This could potentially mark it as the inaugural Ethereum futures ETF in the U.S. In a parallel development, Valkyrie, another prominent asset management entity, is eyeing an early October launch for its BTC-Ethereum ETF.

The SEC has witnessed a deluge of applications since July, with over 16 ETF proposals, either solely for Ethereum or combined with Bitcoin, currently in the regulatory pipeline. Contrasting its 2021 approach, where the SEC directed firms to retract similar applications, the regulatory body has refrained from issuing such directives this year. This change hints at a more accommodating regulatory environment for such ETFs.

Distinct from direct cryptocurrency investments, a crypto futures ETF channels its investments into futures contracts pegged to the prices of digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. The ETF sector underscores the importance of the first-mover advantage. To illustrate, ProShares’ Bitcoin futures ETF, launched in October 2021, amassed over $1 billion in assets under management, while Valkyrie’s analogous product, introduced shortly after, garnered close to $28 million.

Major financial institutions, including Fidelity and BlackRock, are eagerly awaiting the SEC’s decision on the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF. Echoing the sentiment around concurrent Ethereum futures approvals, Cathie Wood, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at ARK Investment Management LLC, predicted on August 7, 2023, that the SEC might greenlight multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs simultaneously. Wood shared this perspective during her Bloomberg interview.

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Danish FSA Orders Saxo Bank to Divest Crypto Holdings, Indicating Tightening Regulation

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet) on July 4, 2023, issued a directive to Saxo Bank, instructing the financial institution to divest its holdings in cryptoassets. This move is based on the current legal framework, which prohibits banks from trading cryptoassets for their own account.

Saxo Bank has been providing its customers with various crypto trading options via its platform. It offers a variety of crypto products, including ETFs (exchange traded funds) and ETNs (Exchange traded notes), which track the evolution of cryptoassets. Moreover, the bank extends an opportunity for customers to speculate in cryptoassets marketed as “cryptocurrency crosses.”

In addition to offering these services, Saxo Bank has been maintaining a portfolio of cryptoassets. This portfolio serves as a hedge against the market risks associated with the bank’s crypto product offerings.

However, according to Denmark’s Financial Business Act, an exhaustive list of permitted activities for financial institutions is provided, and trading in cryptoassets does not feature on this list.

Currently, the area of crypto trading remains unregulated. The Regulation on Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA), intended to regulate this area, will not take full effect until December 30, 2024.

The Danish FSA has voiced concerns that unregulated trading in cryptoassets could potentially destabilize trust in the financial system. The FSA argues that legitimizing trading in cryptoassets without proper regulations is unwarranted, thereby classifying this activity as an unacceptable ancillary banking operation.

Saxo Bank had been trading in cryptoassets for its own account as a means of hedging risks associated with the provision of other financial products. This action, however, is deemed unallowable for Danish financial institutions under the current Financial Business Act.

Consequently, the Danish FSA has decided that Saxo Bank’s trading in cryptoassets for its own account falls outside the permitted business area for financial institutions. This has led to the directive for the bank to divest its cryptoasset holdings.

Historically, Denmark has been viewed as one of the most crypto-friendly nations globally, being one of the first jurisdictions to declare its stance on Bitcoin treatment. The Danish Central Bank does not regulate Bitcoin and doesn’t recognize cryptocurrency as conventional currency. Moreover, the Financial Supervisory Authority of Denmark does not regulate or prohibit the operation of cryptocurrency businesses, including Bitcoin operations, in the country.

However, this action against Saxo Bank may signal a potential pivot in Denmark’s approach, indicating a move towards stricter crypto regulation.

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Largest Weekly Inflows in Digital Assets in Over a Year, Led by Bitcoin

In a significant shift of sentiment, digital asset investment products experienced their largest single weekly inflows since July 2022, totaling a substantial $199 million, according to CoinShares report. This surge effectively corrected almost half of the prior nine consecutive weeks of outflows, signaling renewed investor confidence in the market.

Bitcoin emerged as the primary beneficiary, capturing a staggering $187 million in inflows last week, which accounted for an impressive 94% of the total funds. This surge in Bitcoin investment comes amidst one of the largest price surges in recent times, as the cryptocurrency experienced a remarkable 20% increase over the course of the week.

Conversely, short-bitcoin products continued to face outflows for the ninth consecutive week, with a total of $4.9 million withdrawn.

However, this positive sentiment did not extend to altcoins, as they only witnessed minor inflows. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, attracted $7.8 million in inflows. Although this figure represented a mere 0.1% of assets under management (AuM) compared to Bitcoin’s 0.7% inflows, it indicated a relatively lower appetite for Ethereum in the current market.

The positive market shift was primarily attributed to recent announcements made by high-profile exchange-traded product (ETP) issuers. These issuers have filed applications for physically backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, generating renewed optimism among investors.

The total assets under management (AuM) for digital asset investment products now stand at an impressive $37 billion, reaching their highest point since before the collapse of 3 Arrows Capital.

While Bitcoin experienced significant inflows, outflows persisted for short-bitcoin products. Over the course of the past nine weeks, outflows accounted for 60% of the total AuM, further highlighting the divergence in investor sentiment.

Other altcoins, including XRP and Solana, saw only marginal inflows of $0.24 million and $0.17 million, respectively. However, the improved market sentiment did encourage some investors to explore multi-asset investment ETPs, resulting in $8 million in inflows during the previous week.

Overall, the surge in inflows into digital asset investment products, particularly Bitcoin, suggests a growing confidence among investors, possibly driven by the anticipation of new physically backed ETFs in the US market. While altcoins have yet to witness a substantial boost, the market remains dynamic, and investor preferences may shift as new opportunities emerge.

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Grayscale Launches New Entity to Manage Growing Funds

Grayscale Investments, the cryptocurrency asset manager, has announced the launch of a new entity, the Grayscale Funds Trust, to manage its publicly traded financial products in-house. The move indicates the company’s growing confidence in its ability to manage its funds internally.

In addition to the launch of the new trust, Grayscale has filed a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for three new cryptocurrency-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The new funds include a Bitcoin Composite ETF, an Ethereum Futures ETF, and a Privacy ETF.

Grayscale’s Bitcoin Composite ETF will invest in exchange-traded products related to or backed by Bitcoin, including Bitcoin mining firms. The Ethereum Futures ETF will offer indirect exposure to the potential future value of Ether through shares that track ETH’s price. The Grayscale Privacy ETF will invest in companies working on blockchain-based privacy technology.

However, until the registration statement is approved by the SEC, the funds will not be available for public purchase. This move comes as Grayscale continues to navigate a conflict with the SEC over converting its $17 billion Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into a spot Bitcoin ETF product.

In January 2021, Grayscale sued the SEC for denying its application, arguing that the SEC acted unfairly in treating crypto spot traded exchange-traded products differently from futures products. Grayscale claims that there is a 99.9% correlation between prices in the Bitcoin futures market and the spot Bitcoin market. Despite the SEC’s approval of several Bitcoin Futures ETFs, it has so far rejected every application for a spot Bitcoin investment product due to concerns about exposing investors to potential fraud and market manipulation.

Despite these challenges, Grayscale’s move to launch new crypto ETFs and manage its publicly traded financial products in-house demonstrates the company’s commitment to the cryptocurrency market and its belief in the long-term potential of digital assets.

In conclusion, Grayscale Investments’ launch of the Grayscale Funds Trust and its filing of three new cryptocurrency-focused ETFs is a significant development for the company and the cryptocurrency market as a whole. While the SEC’s approval of these new ETFs is still pending, Grayscale’s continued efforts to introduce crypto-focused investment products is a positive sign for the industry’s growth and adoption.

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Grayscale Files for Three New Crypto ETFs

Grayscale Investments, the cryptocurrency asset manager, is seeking approval from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for three new cryptocurrency-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The new funds include a Bitcoin Composite ETF, an Ethereum Futures ETF, and a Privacy ETF.

Grayscale’s Bitcoin Composite ETF will invest in exchange-traded products related to or backed by Bitcoin, including Bitcoin mining firms. The Ethereum Futures ETF, on the other hand, will offer indirect exposure to the potential future value of Ether through shares that track ETH’s price. The Grayscale Privacy ETF will invest in companies working on blockchain-based privacy technology.

Despite previous roadblocks from the SEC over crypto-related ETFs, Grayscale has filed a registration statement for the new ETFs. However, until the registration statement is approved, the funds will not be available for public purchase.

Grayscale also announced the launch of the Grayscale Funds Trust, a new arm of its business that allows it to manage many of its publicly traded financial products in-house. This move indicates the company’s growing confidence in its ability to manage its funds internally.

While Grayscale continues to navigate a conflict with the SEC over converting its $17 billion Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into a spot Bitcoin ETF product, the company remains optimistic about the future of crypto ETFs. In January 2021, Grayscale sued the SEC for denying its application, arguing that the SEC acted unfairly in treating crypto spot traded exchange-traded products differently from futures products. Grayscale claims that there is a 99.9% correlation between prices in the Bitcoin futures market and the spot Bitcoin market.

Despite the SEC’s approval of several Bitcoin Futures ETFs, it has so far rejected every application for a spot Bitcoin investment product due to concerns about exposing investors to potential fraud and market manipulation. However, Grayscale’s move to launch new crypto ETFs and manage its publicly traded financial products in-house demonstrates the company’s commitment to the cryptocurrency market and its belief in the long-term potential of digital assets.

In conclusion, Grayscale Investments’ filing of three new cryptocurrency-focused ETFs and the launch of its Grayscale Funds Trust is a significant step forward for the company and the cryptocurrency market as a whole. While the SEC’s approval of these new ETFs is still pending, Grayscale’s continued efforts to introduce crypto-focused investment products is a positive sign for the industry’s growth and adoption.

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Coinbase Up 69%, MicroStrategy Up 74% From Lows

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It’s been green candles all around since the beginning of 2023, as the share price of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has increased by 69% since it hit an all-time low, and other crypto-related firms, like business analytics company MicroStrategy, have enjoyed similar rises.

On January 6, the price of a share of Coinbase reached a low of $31.95, but by the time trading was done on January 17, it had climbed all the way back up to $54.14. After a difficult year in 2022, during which Coinbase reduced its employees by 20% and wound down its activities in Japan, the increasing share price is expected to be met by a great sigh of relief from the company’s leadership.

Despite the recent increase, COIN is still trading at a price that is more than 84% lower than its all-time high. Other crypto-related companies, such as MicroStrategy and Block Inc., which is a digital payments startup, have also had significant price increases since the beginning of the year.

MicroStrategy’s share price has increased to nearly $236, representing an increase of over 74%, from a low of just over $135 on December 29; this compares to Jack Dorsey’s Block’s share price, which has seen a muted but still respectable increase of 27%, after rebounding from a low of under $59 on December 28 to over $75.

The recovery for crypto mining equities has been much more spectacular. During the first two weeks of the new year, both Bitfarms and Marathon Digital Holdings saw their share prices increase by a significant amount: 140% and 120%, respectively.

Crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also returned, although to a lesser degree, with the price of the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) more than doubling from its low point of little over $4 on December 28 to over $8 today.

The price of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) has more than doubled from the 28th of December, when it was over $10, and is now hovering around $13; this represents an increase of just under one-third.

After having traded at a discount of more than 45% on December 28, it is now resting at a discount of just over 36% at this time.

It is interesting to note that December 28 seemed to represent a market bottom for many different cryptocurrencies and stocks, despite the fact that some market analysts believe Bitcoin in particular has skyrocketed on the back of the positive inflation figures from the United States that were released on January 12. Bitcoin’s price has increased by over 17% since those positive inflation figures were released.

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Fidelity Launches Two ETFs Tracking Metaverse and Crypto Sectors

Fidelity Investments Inc., a multinational financial services corporation based in Boston, announced Tuesday the launch of two new thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – Fidelity Crypto Industry and Digital Payments ETF (FDIG) and Fidelity Metaverse ETF (FMET).

The two ETFs will track and reflect the performance of companies exposed to the metaverse and cryptocurrency sectors.

Fidelity Crypto Industry and Digital Payments ETF will not provide direct exposure to cryptocurrency. Still, they will allow investors to invest in companies that support the broader digital assets ecosystem, including those involved in crypto trading, mining and digital payments processing, and blockchain technology.

On the other hand, Fidelity Metaverse ETF will allow investors to invest in the evolution and future of the internet by providing them with access to invest in companies that develop, manufacture, distribute, or sell products or services related to establishing and enabling the metaverse, like computing hardware and components, digital infrastructure, design and engineering software, gaming technology and software, web development and content services, and smartphone and wearable technology.

Greg Friedman, Fidelity’s Head of ETF Management and Strategy, talked about the development and said: “Leveraging Fidelity’s decades of investment expertise, we are focused on growing our broad product lineup with innovative strategies that offer choice, value and new opportunities to investors. We continue to see demand, particularly from young investors, for access to the rapidly growing industries in the digital ecosystem, and these two thematic ETFs offer investors exposure in a familiar investment vehicle.” Fidelity stated that the new funds will be available on or around April 21.

Providing Investors Access to Investing in Digital Assets

Fidelity Investments launched its crypto-dedicated subsidiary, Fidelity Digital Assets, in October 2018 with the aim of offering crypto services to its institutional and sophisticated investors. Since then, Fidelity has continued to dive deeper into the crypto space than previously imagined.

Last July, Fidelity expanded the headcounts of its digital assets team as cryptocurrencies were witnessing a series of financial advisers, family offices and other investors get on board. Fidelity, which provides institutional services like digital coin custody to trade execution, wanted to expand its digital asset employees by 70% by the end of that year. The hiring spree came after the firm filed paperwork to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a Bitcoin investment fund in March.

Established in 1946, Fidelity Investments Inc is a U.S. multinational financial services corporation based in Boston. The firm is the world’s fourth-largest asset management company with $4.5 trillion in assets under management and assets under administration of $11.8 trillion, as of December 2021.

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SEC Delays Decision On Bitwise ETF Once Again

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed its decision on whether or not to approve Bitwise’s Bitcoin ETF.
  • The SEC previously delayed its decision in December.
  • The regulator can postpone matters once more to Oct. 13, 2022.




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The SEC has delayed its decision on a proposal for a Bitcoin ETF from Bitwise Asset Management, according to a filing from the regulator today.

SEC Delays Choice on Bitwise ETF

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s filing postpones the approval or rejection of Bitwise’s ETF, which aimed for a listing on ICE’s NYSE Arca exchange in the near future.

In the relevant filing, the SEC also issued a request for comments. It sought information on expected trading volumes, protections against fraud and manipulation, and other matters.



Bitwise and NYSE Arca submitted their application and proposed rule change in October. The SEC delayed its decision on the proposal in December. Prior to this new delay, the regulator would have been forced to make a decision by today, Feb. 1.

Jake Chervinsky of the Blockchain Association noted today that the SEC’s deadline is now August 14. He added that the SEC can delay its decision just “one more time to a final deadline” of Oct. 13.

The SEC Has Denied Many ETFs

Bitwise is one of many firms aiming to create the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, which would provide exposure to the value of Bitcoin without requiring investors to actually purchase crypto.


Despite the SEC’s repeated failure to approve a Bitcoin spot ETF, the company approved several Bitcoin futures ETFs last year. Valkyrie, VanEck, and ProShares now offer those investment funds.

As such, many in the crypto industry remain optimistic that the SEC will soon approve a Bitcoin spot ETF.

Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author of this piece owned BTC, ETH, and other cryptocurrencies.



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Bitcoin (BTC) $ 27,155.28 0.49%
Ethereum (ETH) $ 1,684.12 0.02%
Litecoin (LTC) $ 66.79 0.64%
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) $ 235.74 0.81%