Cboe Says Bitcoin ETFs Will Begin Trading on Thursday, Even Though the SEC Has Not Yet Approved Them
Cboe Global Markets announced that six spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds will list and begin trading on its exchanges on Thursday.
Bitcoin ETFs Ark 21 (ARKB), Fidelity (FBTC), Franklin Templeton (EZBC), Invesco (BTCO), VanEck (HODL) and WisdomTree (BTCW) appeared on the exchange operator’s New Listings page on Wednesday.
Listing does not mean that the ETFs are approved by the SEC. The Commission still must approve applicants’ 19b-4 and S1 applications.
“We are still awaiting SEC approval for our spot Bitcoin ETFs,” said a Cboe spokesperson. “The notices posted on our website are standard operating procedures in preparing for an ETF launch.”
The announcement comes ahead of possible official approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday. Allowing Bitcoin ETFs would expand access to Bitcoin to more investors without having to go to a crypto exchange, potentially providing an easier way to buy the world’s largest digital asset.
There are about a dozen Bitcoin ETF applicants awaiting SEC approval. The battle to capture Bitcoin ETF market share between applicants has already heated up as rivals continue to slash their fees ahead of the potential green light.
UPDATE (January 10, 2023, 20:19 UTC): Adds statement from Cboe spokesperson.