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Insights into upcoming Ether spot ETFs
So-called 19b-4 documents are filed by exchanges (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ) to inform the SEC of a proposed rule change. These documents are required to list a new type of ETF. Issuers were asked to amend their 19b-4s around May 20, at which point most issuers removed the staking provisions. The SEC approved amended versions of these from eight issuers (VanEck, 21Shares, Grayscale, Fidelity, Invesco, iShares, Franklin, and Bitwise) soon after, on May 23. (ProShares later jumped into the fray as well.) While this means the SEC will likely approve spot ether ETFs, we’re still waiting for official approval for S-1s (registration statements) before these ETFs begin trading. Spot ether ETF issuers have filed amended S-1s in response to the SEC’s comments, often a good sign that discussions are moving forward. Final approval will likely occur within 90 days of the initial 19b-4 approvals, which means it could happen this summer (and probably sooner rather than later).