- Ethereum ETFs will start trading today, approved by the SEC.
- Coinbase is the custodian for eight of the nine approved Ethereum ETFs.
- The Ethereum ecosystem is growing, with a 300% increase in smart contracts in 2023.
- Analysts project up to $5.4 billion in inflows into Ethereum ETFs within six months.
The SEC has given the green light for trading Ethereum ETFs starting today. This move exposes mainstream investors to the price movements of the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency.
So, it was Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst who confirmed the news. As 424(b) forms are now available on the SEC site, the regulator has cleared them for trading from tomorrow.
Ethereum ETFs: Approval for Major Firms
The SEC approved registration forms from 21Shares, Bitwise, BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and Invesco Galaxy. So, the only funds without effective documents from the SEC are Grayscale’s Trust and Mini Trust. However, analysts expect these documents to be ready by tomorrow morning before trading starts.
Coinbase Global Inc. is the custodian for eight of the nine newly approved Ethereum ETFs. Coinbase announced this clearance as an important milestone for cryptocurrencies. Broadly, ETFs provide investors access to spot crypto in a familiar, regulated product.
Spot bitcoin ETFs have shown that access is critical to ushering in a new wave of crypto adoption. To date, spot bitcoin ETFs have unlocked demand and led to $17 billion in net inflows. This achievement makes them the fastest-growing ETFs of all time.
Ethereum’s Growing Ecosystem
For investors, spot Ethereum ETFs offer access to a unique crypto asset with distinct return characteristics. The Ethereum ecosystem is robust, with over 15 million monthly active addresses. It is also expanding rapidly, with a 300% growth in smart contracts deployed in 2023. By increasing the usage of Ethereum, spot ETH ETF investors will help advance Ether’s utility and contribute to the overall crypto ecosystem.
Furthermore, Coinbase is proud to be a trusted partner and custodian for the newly approved ETH ETFs. With over 12 years of experience in safekeeping digital assets at scale. According to their tweet on X, they have developed a leading institutional-grade custody solution. Also, Coinbase continues to maintain a company-wide approach to being the safest, easiest, and most trusted bridge to the cryptoeconomy.
Despite an initial lack of engagement between the SEC and issuers, the approvals were granted unexpectedly. Firms had received approval for 19b-4 forms in May but needed their registration statements to be effective before launching.
Ethereum ETFs: Market Projections and Analyst Insights
Before the anticipated launch of spot Ethereum ETFs in the U.S., Citi projected up to $5.4 billion in inflows within the first six months. However, the bank cautioned that actual inflows and returns could be lower than projected. Analysts, led by Alex Saunders, noted that Ethereum offers long-term diversification benefits due to its varied use cases. However, these benefits are not currently reflected in the market.
Additionally, Michaël van de Poppe, a widely-followed cryptocurrency analyst, anticipated a surge in activity and the value of tokens in the Ethereum ecosystem following the approval.
At the time of writing, Ethereum was trading at $3,470.06, down 1.42% in the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro. Shares of Coinbase closed 2.86% higher at $265.15 during Monday’s regular trading session.
Conclusion
The approval of Ethereum ETFs by the SEC marks the beginning of a new era for crypto investing. This move brings Ethereum closer to mainstream acceptance and provides investors with a regulated way to gain exposure to this important digital asset.
So, with the backing of major financial institutions and the growing interest in cryptocurrency, the future looks promising for Ethereum and its ecosystem.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from the company.
