BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF ‘is the best thing to happen' to BTC, or is it?

2 years ago

BlackRock’s latest filing for a spot Bitcoin (BTC) trust volition thrust investors’ assurance successful Bitcoin and whitethorn adjacent beryllium “the champion happening that could happen” to BTC, according to immoderate crypto manufacture observers — but others pass of a hidden cost.

During an interrogation connected June 16, Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz said the support of BlackRock’s ETF exertion would beryllium “the champion happening that could hap to $BTC.”

“I accidental a Hail Mary each nighttime that Larry Fink and @blackrock propulsion disconnected a @bitcoin ETF," Novogratz reportedly said connected a Fox News segment.

Fun being connected @LizClaman show!! And yes, @BlackRock getting a $BTC ETF done would beryllium the champion happening that could hap to $BTC. https://t.co/2fFBeB9eyo

— Mike Novogratz (@novogratz) June 16, 2023

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency expert James Edwards of Finder.com — a fiscal merchandise examination website — told Cointelegraph that the timing of BlackRock’s filing should supply “confidence” successful some Bitcoin arsenic an plus and besides Coinbase successful its upcoming ineligible conflict combat with the SEC:

“BlackRock's willingness to property connected with a Bitcoin ETF astatine a clip erstwhile the SEC is connected a warpath against crypto is precise telling. It shows assurance successful Bitcoin’s presumption arsenic a commodity – alternatively than a security,” helium said, adding:

“It’s improbable that BlackRock would propulsion guardant with an ETF of this quality without superior consultation with regulators and assurance successful Bitcoin's aboriginal ineligible status.”

BlackRock’s volition to usage Coinbase Custody to power funds should besides beryllium seen arsenic a monolithic assurance booster for Coinbase arsenic it prepares its ineligible defense, Edwards explained.

He added that BlackRock — the world’s largest plus manager — apt wouldn’t spouse with Coinbase had they not been “confident” successful Coinbase’s ineligible position.

The downside

Others reason that the accepted concern giant's latest moves undermine the "ethos" of decentralized cryptocurrencies, or, that the institution whitethorn find a mode to nett from retail investors.

Investor Scott Melker explained successful a June 16 interview that specified an support would beryllium a disservice to crypto-native innovators who built the industry:

“As bully arsenic this whitethorn beryllium for organization adoption of the space, it benignant of violates the ethos, it is simply a spot of a dishonest propulsion distant from the radical who built the manufacture successful the United States.”

Cinneamhain Ventures spouse and Ethereum bull Adam Cochran believes that BlackRock volition swoop successful connected the “discounted coins” of retail investors, a mentation besides shared by Melker.

Blackrock ETF… https://t.co/3g77QNdAun

— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) June 15, 2023

Steven Lubka, a managing manager astatine Swan Bitcoin shared a akin view, predicting that BTC volition scope $1 million, but fewer retail investors volition reap the rewards due to the fact that the bulk of BTC volition beryllium owned by BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and different ETF issuers.

Melker added that Wall Street firms volition proceed to determination into the abstraction and that U.S. regulators volition apt “choose them” implicit incumbent platforms.

Related: Bitcoin ETFs: A beginner's usher to exchange-traded funds

ARK Invest, Grayscale, Fidelity, Galaxy Digital, VanEck, Valkyrie Investments, NYDIG, SkyBridge and WisdomTree are among the different concern firms that person applied to the SEC for akin Bitcoin and cryptocurrency ETFs.

Since the quality was archetypal reported, the terms of BTC has accrued 2.2% to $25,584 astatine the clip of writing.

Interestingly, the Fear & Greed Crypto Index increased from 41 to 47 — leaving the fearfulness portion — pursuing the quality of BlackRock’s filing.

Magazine: Crypto regulation: Does SEC Chair Gary Gensler person the last say?

View source