SEC Approves Bitwise's Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, Expanding Crypto's Reach into Traditional Markets

In a significant move for the cryptocurrency market, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted initial approval for Bitwise's spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF).

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved NYSE Arca’s 19b-4 filing, allowing Bitwise’s combined Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF to be listed and traded on the exchange.

What This Means: This approval marks another step in the cryptocurrency industry's integration into mainstream financial markets.

The ETF will have its asset allocation based on the market capitalizations of Bitcoin and Ethereum, with a portfolio that will primarily consist of these two cryptocurrencies and cash reserves. This approach offers a straightforward and low-risk way for investors to gain exposure to both Bitcoin and Ethereum through a regulated financial product.

The approval came swiftly, with the SEC deciding to expedite the process due to the filing being deemed substantially similar to other spot crypto ETFs that had been approved recently. The agency's decision allows Bitwise to move forward with listing their combined Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, which will be traded on the NYSE Arca.

This approval follows the SEC’s approval of similar Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs from other major players, such as Hashdex and Franklin Templeton, in December 2024. According to Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart, the SEC’s decision to approve Bitwise’s ETF was largely expected given the precedent set by previous ETF approvals. He noted that with approvals already in place for other crypto ETFs, the decision for Bitwise was essentially a formality.

Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas also commented on the rapid decision, stating that the approval, while notable, was anticipated. He highlighted that the approval process for Bitwise’s ETF took just 45 days, a significant reduction from the typical 240-day review period for such filings. Balchunas expressed hopes that this faster approval process could signal a more efficient SEC moving forward.

Bitwise has filed applications for several other cryptocurrency-based ETFs, including ones focused on Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP), and Dogecoin (DOGE). However, the approval of a Dogecoin ETF remains uncertain, as the SEC may still be cautious regarding the speculative and volatile nature of meme coins.

Moreover, Bitwise’s 10 Crypto Index Fund, which tracks the performance of the top cryptocurrencies, is still under review. The approval of this fund could further enhance Bitwise’s presence in the crypto ETF space, offering investors an even broader array of options to gain exposure to the digital asset market.