SEC Postpones Ethereum ETF Options Approval Decision Until April 9, 2025

This is the third delay, following previous SEC decisions in September and November 2024. The SEC review period has now been extended by 60 days.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed its decision on approving Ethereum ETF options for another 60 days. This brings the total review period to April 9, 2025.

The SEC’s decision will determine whether several firms, including BlackRock, Grayscale, Bitwise, and Ethereum Mini Trust, can trade Ethereum ETF options alongside their existing Ethereum spot ETFs.

SEC Postpones Approval Decision on Ethereum ETF Options

The SEC announced on Friday that it will be delaying its decision on approving Ethereum ETF options to allow for further review and public feedback. This marks the third delay in the approval process.

The regulator initially set a deadline of Feb. 7 for approving or disapproving the proposed rule change. However, the SEC has now extended this period.

Multiple firms are awaiting the SEC’s decision on Ethereum ETF options. These firms, such as BlackRock, Grayscale, and Bitwise, currently offer Ethereum spot ETFs and wish to expand their product lineup.

If approved, these firms will be able to trade Ethereum ETF options on Cboe BZX Exchange. This exchange already hosts several Bitcoin ETF options, including those linked to ProShares Bitcoin ETF.

“The Commission is extending the time period for approving or disapproving the proposed rule change for an additional 60 days. The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to issue an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change and the issues raised therein,” the SEC noted in its statement.

The SEC is also reviewing a separate proposal submitted by Cboe BZX Exchange Inc. on behalf of Fidelity. This proposal seeks approval to list and trade Ethereum ETF options linked to Fidelity’s spot Ethereum ETF.

Options contracts allow traders to buy or sell assets at a set price within a specific period. These financial instruments are widely used in Ethereum investment for risk management and hedging strategies.

If approved, Ethereum ETF options would follow a regulatory framework similar to Bitcoin ETF options.

However, the SEC is yet to approve any Bitcoin ETF options, despite several applications from major firms. This decision will likely pave the way for a broader rollout of ETF options in the U.S.