Grayscale Bets Big on Ethereum ETFs, Defies SEC Hesitation

Grayscale's Chief Legal Officer, Craig Salm, remains optimistic about the approval of spot Ethereum ETFs in the USA, citing a compelling case similar to the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Despite the perceived lack of commitment from the SEC, Salm believes the issues are resolvable, similar to those faced with Bitcoin ETFs, with additional motivations including consistency with ETH futures ETFs, the classification of ETH futures as commodities, and investor demand. This confidence is reflected in Grayscale's recent filing of an amended form 19b-4 for the approval of its ETHE spot ETF.

Grayscale Bullish on Ethereum Spot ETFs, Despite SEC's Hesitation

In a series of tweets, Craig Salm, Chief Legal Officer of Grayscale Investments, expressed strong confidence in the eventual approval of spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States, despite the perceived "lack of commitment" from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Salm's optimism stems from the belief that the case for Ethereum spot ETFs is just as compelling as the one for Bitcoin spot ETFs, which received SEC approval in January 2024. He noted, "In the final months leading up to #Bitcoin ETF approval, @Grayscale and others received positive and constructive engagement from the SEC."

Salm also highlighted other factors that bolster his conviction in the approval of Ethereum spot ETFs. These include:

• Consistency with ETH Futures ETFs: Ethereum futures ETFs have already been approved, suggesting that the SEC is open to regulated ETH products.
• Regulation of ETH Futures as Commodity Futures: The SEC's classification of ETH futures as commodity futures, rather than securities futures, provides a legal framework for spot ETFs.
• High Correlation Between Futures and Spot: The strong correlation between ETH futures and the spot price indicates that spot ETFs would track the value of Ethereum accurately.

Furthermore, Salm emphasized the growing demand from investors for Ethereum spot ETFs. "It is precisely investors who want and deserve access to Ethereum in the form of an Exchange-Traded Fund spot, just like what happened with Bitcoin," he tweeted.

Grayscale's bullish stance is reflected in its recent actions. Last week, the company filed an amended Form 19b-4 with the SEC for its Ethereum spot ETF application. The updated form seeks approval to list the Grayscale Ethereum Spot ETF (ETHE) on the NYSE Arca.

Grayscale is not the only player vying for SEC approval. Several other asset managers, including BlackRock, VanEck, ARK 21Shares, and Fidelity, have also submitted applications for Ethereum spot ETFs. Analysts anticipate that the SEC will rule on VanEck's application by May 23, which could provide insights into the regulatory body's stance on spot ETH ETFs.

In addition to its ETF pursuits, Grayscale recently introduced the Grayscale Dynamic Income Fund (GDIF), a new fund focused on crypto staking. The fund initially includes nine blockchain assets in its portfolio, including APT, TIA, CBETH, ATOM, NEAR, OSMO, DOT, SEI, and SOL. The GDIF aims to generate income for investors through quarterly distributions in US dollars.

Grayscale's confidence in the future of Ethereum spot ETFs and its expansion into crypto staking underscore the growing institutional acceptance and adoption of digital assets. The outcome of the SEC's review of Ethereum spot ETF applications will be closely watched by investors, asset managers, and the crypto industry as a whole.