Breaking Down the Last Moments: Latest Updates on Bitcoin ETFs as SEC Deadline Approaches

As the clock ticks down to the culmination of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) set deadline, the landscape of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is experiencing a last-minute surge in amendments. Today marks the final day for applicants to submit their last revisions to the spot Bitcoin ETF S-1 filings, a process that has kept industry observers on high alert.

Nearing the Bitcoin ETF S-1 Amendment Deadline
A few days ago, the SEC announced December 29 as the ultimate cutoff for spot Bitcoin ETF applicants to refine their applications. The SEC emphasized that those failing to meet this deadline risk exclusion from the initial round of potential approvals. This directive came on the heels of multiple meetings between the SEC and major players such as BlackRock, Grayscale Investments, Fidelity Investments, ARK Invest 21Shares, and others with pending Bitcoin ETF applications. Before the official announcement, BlackRock, Hashdex, and Pando had already submitted amended S-1 filings to the regulatory body.

BlackRock’s filing disclosed a proposed $10 million seed funding injection for its spot Bitcoin ETF, slated for January 3, signaling its readiness for the imminent launch.

Following the December 29 deadline announcement, several other filers promptly initiated updates to their submissions. Grayscale submitted another amendment to the SEC shortly after its chairman, Barry Silbert, stepped down from the Board of Directors. ARK 21Shares also filed yet another amendment with the U.S. SEC for its spot Bitcoin ETF application, marking the fifth amendment since the initial submission. Senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas remains cautiously optimistic, hinting that this amendment may not be the final one.

Bitcoin Price Momentum Amid Approval Anticipation
Despite prevailing uncertainty, analysts and experts maintain an optimistic outlook regarding the potential approval of spot Bitcoin ETF applications by the SEC. Sam Enzer, a partner at law firm Cahill Gordon & Reinel, believes the agency is likely to greenlight several applications for spot Bitcoin ETFs before January 10, 2024.

Renowned investor and advisor Mike Alfred places the odds of spot Bitcoin ETF approval at 98.7%, citing recent trends. Simultaneously, Bitcoin exhibits resilience, recently surging to nearly $43,000. As of the latest update, the flagship cryptocurrency is trading at $42,876.83, and industry experts anticipate further gains in the event of spot Bitcoin ETF approval.