David Bailey, a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency industry, has suggested that BlackRock’s Bitcoin (BTC) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) could be approved imminently by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), after years of failed attempts by other firms.
Bailey, the CEO of BTC Inc. and a board member at the University of Alabama believes that BlackRock’s entry into the Bitcoin ETF market could tip the scales in favor of regulatory acceptance.
David Bailey’s recent comments about BlackRock’s potential BTC ETF approval come from the asset management firm’s filing with the SEC on June 15th.
If approved, the ETF would provide investors with a means of gaining exposure to Bitcoin without holding the cryptocurrency directly, which could significantly impact BTC’s price.
Could BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Gain Approval In Record Time?
The SEC’s approval process for ETFs can be lengthy and complex. The SEC is responsible for evaluating ETF proposals to ensure they comply with all applicable laws and regulations and are in the best interest of investors.
Typically, the SEC has taken several months to review and approve Bitcoin ETF proposals, as the agency has expressed concerns about the potential for fraud and market manipulation in the cryptocurrency market.
In the past, the SEC has rejected several Bitcoin ETF proposals, citing concerns about market volatility, liquidity, and the potential for fraud.
However, recent developments, such as the growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin, have led some experts to believe that the SEC may be more open to approving a Bitcoin ETF soon.
Given these developments, according to Bailey, the fact that BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers, is behind the proposed Bitcoin ETF could be a game changer. He notes that BlackRock’s reputation and influence in the financial industry could make it easier for regulators to approve the product in matters of “days to weeks”.
It’s worth noting that the SEC has not provided any official timeline for approving BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF or any other pending ETF proposals. The agency’s approval process is generally opaque, and it may take several months or even years before a proposal is approved, if at all.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView.com