SEC denies 2 Bitcoin ETFs in latest setback to crypto industry

Regulators rejected a pair of proposals to offer physically-backed Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, handing crypto enthusiasts a proverbial bag of coal ahead of the Christmas holiday. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission said on Wednesday that the proposals from Valkyrie Investments and Kryptoin failed to meet requirements to prevent fraudulent and manipulative practices that are needed to protect investors. It allowed futures-backed Bitcoin ETFs to be offered in October. The earlier-than-expected decision from the SEC could suggest a 2022 approval for a pure Bitcoin fund may not be in the cards either.

The deadline for a decision on the two fund proposals was Jan. 7, according to Eric Balchunas, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, who likens the early edict as a Scrooge-jection. 

The decision comes about a month after after the agency rejected a VanEck application for a spot Bitcoin ETF.

The fact that the SEC is disapproving faster than they needed to — we were optimistic about futures, but were not confident in a 2022 approval, Balchunas said. 

Read More: Another Physical Bitcoin ETF Application Lands in Long-Shot Bid

Launching the first spot-Bitcoin ETF remains the holy grail for investment fund providers, who see such products as an entry way into crypto for millions of individual investors. The first Bitcoin futures ETF, ProShares Bitcoin Strategy attracted about $1 billion in investor inflows shortly after its launch.

The SECs decisions on First Trust/Skybridges proposed spot-Bitcoin ETF is expected on Jan. 22, to be followed by a decision on Fidelitys on Jan. 27. The likelihood of those getting approved seems small, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart, who joked in a meme depicting the SEC as the Grim Reaper, knocking at First Trust and Skybridges door. 

The number of crypto-tracking investment vehicles worldwide more than doubled to 80 from just 35 at the end of 2020, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data. Assets soared to $63 billion, compared to $24 billion at the start of the year.   

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