Asset management firm Bitwise has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list and trade shares of a spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund, or ETF.
In a March 28 filing, Bitwise filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the SEC for shares of its Ethereum ETF. The filing came amid speculation that the SEC was seeking to label Ether a security under its regulatory purview, putting future listings of spot ETF ETFs into doubt.
Based on a 19b-4 amendment filing with the SEC, Bitwise intends to list shares of the ETH investment vehicle on NYSE Arca. The asset manager was among the first to obtain approval from the SEC for listing and trading shares of its spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF in January.
Related: 3 theories why the SEC may be eyeing down Ethereum: Crypto lawyer
The final SEC deadline for approving or denying the next round of spot ETH ETF applications will come on May 23, starting with VanEck’s investment vehicle. Though many experts seemed to be optimistic about approval in 2023, some have suggested going into 2024 that the commission could deny applications.
Several firms have spot ETH ETF applications pending approval or denial, including Fidelity, Hashdex and ARK 21Shares. The SEC began approving investment vehicles tied to Ether futures in October 2023.
Magazine: Ether ETFs face Senate opposition, Wright is not Satoshi, and Dencun goes live: Hodler’s Digest, March 10-16
