BlackRock meets with SEC for 24th time to discuss Bitcoin ETF

2023-12-20 07:30:25

Asset manager BlackRock met again with representatives of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart reported that BlackRock’s meeting on Dec. 19 is the 24th meeting that SEC representatives have held with companies that have applied to open a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Before meeting with the SEC, BlackRock revised its application to include a new mechanism for redeeming shares into fiat money.

In addition to BlackRock, the NASDAQ stock market representatives were present at the meeting.

“The discussion concerned The NASDAQ Stock Market’s proposed rule change to list and trade shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust under NASDAQ Rule 5711 (d).”

SEC memorandum

BlackRock also added the ticker IBIT to its application to register a spot Bitcoin ETF, which Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas called a positive sign.

However, Seyffart notes that at the latest meeting no developments have so far changed his mind regarding the timing of the first spot Bitcoin ETF approval, a decision the analyst expects between Jan. 8 – 10.

Commenting on the latest statement by Michael Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy, that the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs will happen in the next 8-10 weeks, Seyffart says he believes it will happen sooner, but that ultimately it is anyone’s guess as to when the decision will finally come down from the SEC.

On Jun. 15, BlackRock submitted an application to the Commission for an investment product based on the first cryptocurrency. Following the financial giant, similar requests came from Valkyrie, Fidelity Investments, WisdomTree, and Invesco. On Aug. 31, the regulator postponed its decision on several Bitcoin ETFs until mid-October. At the end of September, the department delayed the consideration of applications to January 2024.

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