BTC Markets

The Bitcoin ETF Purgatory

BitOoda BTC Market Research, 8/15/23

Vivek Raman
Key Takeaway #1

Key Takeaway #2

Key Takeaway #3

Key Takeaway #4

BTC price remains stuck in the summer doldrums, with this week’s price deviating a mere $100 from last week. Bitcoin (and broader crypto) markets remain in wait-and-see mode, shrugging off the minor bouts of volatility around the XRP case, as the spotlight and driver for the crypto market for the near term will likely be Bitcoin.

August was supposed to see increased volatility, with August 13th being a potential date for SEC feedback on the spot BTC filings. This date passed without event.

Why is the spot ETF such an important catalyst for Bitcoin and the broader crypto space? The reason: crypto can no longer grow by itself without new, external capital entering the ecosystem. For the majority of 2023, crypto funding as been anemic, and capital has been either dormant (long term holders neither buying or selling) or exiting the ecosystem, as seen by the market cap of USDC, which has been on a steady decline and indicates stable capital exiting from the crypto ecosystem.

Why does the crypto market seem saturated for existing holders? In our view, people/entities that hold BTC now are comfortable with the self-custody (or external custodian) process and the additional operational risk and effort it requires. However, while plenty of non-crypto natives may be intrigued by the idea of BTC, the friction of self-custody is too much to initiate action.

A spot BTC ETF could be a major milestone in unlocking new capital.

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BTC price remains stuck in the summer doldrums, with this week’s price deviating a mere $100 from last week. Bitcoin (and broader crypto) markets remain in wait-and-see mode, shrugging off the minor bouts of volatility around the XRP case, as the spotlight and driver for the crypto market for the near term will likely be Bitcoin.

August was supposed to see increased volatility, with August 13th being a potential date for SEC feedback on the spot BTC filings. This date passed without event.

Why is the spot ETF such an important catalyst for Bitcoin and the broader crypto space? The reason: crypto can no longer grow by itself without new, external capital entering the ecosystem. For the majority of 2023, crypto funding as been anemic, and capital has been either dormant (long term holders neither buying or selling) or exiting the ecosystem, as seen by the market cap of USDC, which has been on a steady decline and indicates stable capital exiting from the crypto ecosystem.

Why does the crypto market seem saturated for existing holders? In our view, people/entities that hold BTC now are comfortable with the self-custody (or external custodian) process and the additional operational risk and effort it requires. However, while plenty of non-crypto natives may be intrigued by the idea of BTC, the friction of self-custody is too much to initiate action.

A spot BTC ETF could be a major milestone in unlocking new capital.

SEC Delay for ETF Decision

  • August 13 was supposed to be a key date, as the filing for ARK’s 21Shares BTC ETF was due for an SEC decision. Although the ARK BTC ETF has been rejected in the past, it is now bolstered by applications from financial heavyweights like Fidelity and Blackrock.
  • Indeed, the filing by Blackrock was part of the driver for the BTC move from $25k to $29k earlier this summer, as optimism was high that the regulatory storm had largely passed and that (at least) BTC was in the clear for an ETF.
  • Although disappointing, it was not entirely surprising that the SEC deferred the decision to comment on the ARC 21Shares spot BTC ETF, possibly to make a universal decision later. While this does not equate to a rejection, it is worth noting that the optimism that the market had undertaken toward a seemingly certain BTF ETF may be misplaced.
Figure: SEC Delay
Source:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-punts-ark21shares-spot-bitcoin-etf-opens-proposal-comments

Dissenting Opinions Arise

  • Why might the market have to temper optimism toward a BTC ETF? While ultimate approval may be in the cards, the path could take longer than anticipated. The SEC reopened the BTC ETF to public commentary, specifically around the “surveillance sharing agreement” and market partners (e.g., Coinbase) that have been filed as operational actors for the ETF.
  • New dissenting opinions have been appearing, including a detailed letter from Better Markets outlining why a BTC ETF should be rejected.
  • Nevertheless, this week could provide additional clarity, as many anticipate some sort of update or ruling from the Grayscale vs SEC dispute about GBTC converting to a spot ETF, which could paint the picture for all spot ETFs.
  • Finally, it is important to note that in parallel with the spot BTC ETF, there have been a multitude of filings for futures-based ETH ETFs – this could provide another catalyst for the crypto market if approved.
Figure: Better Markets Comment Letter
Source: https://bettermarkets.org/newsroom/sec-should-reject-bitcoin-etf-filings-because-they-will-expose-investors-to-fraud-manipulation-and-other-investor-harms/

Disclosures

Purpose

This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.

Analyst Certification

Vivek Raman, the research analyst denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report, hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.

Conflicts of Interest

This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.

General Disclosures

Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge.  BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services.  BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.

The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision.  The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction.  The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment.  The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance. 

All derivatives brokerage is conducted by Ooda Commodities, LLC a member of NFA and subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.

BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.

“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.

Copyright 2023 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.

BTC price remains stuck in the summer doldrums, with this week’s price deviating a mere $100 from last week. Bitcoin (and broader crypto) markets remain in wait-and-see mode, shrugging off the minor bouts of volatility around the XRP case, as the spotlight and driver for the crypto market for the near term will likely be Bitcoin.

August was supposed to see increased volatility, with August 13th being a potential date for SEC feedback on the spot BTC filings. This date passed without event.

Why is the spot ETF such an important catalyst for Bitcoin and the broader crypto space? The reason: crypto can no longer grow by itself without new, external capital entering the ecosystem. For the majority of 2023, crypto funding as been anemic, and capital has been either dormant (long term holders neither buying or selling) or exiting the ecosystem, as seen by the market cap of USDC, which has been on a steady decline and indicates stable capital exiting from the crypto ecosystem.

Why does the crypto market seem saturated for existing holders? In our view, people/entities that hold BTC now are comfortable with the self-custody (or external custodian) process and the additional operational risk and effort it requires. However, while plenty of non-crypto natives may be intrigued by the idea of BTC, the friction of self-custody is too much to initiate action.

A spot BTC ETF could be a major milestone in unlocking new capital.

SEC Delay for ETF Decision

  • August 13 was supposed to be a key date, as the filing for ARK’s 21Shares BTC ETF was due for an SEC decision. Although the ARK BTC ETF has been rejected in the past, it is now bolstered by applications from financial heavyweights like Fidelity and Blackrock.
  • Indeed, the filing by Blackrock was part of the driver for the BTC move from $25k to $29k earlier this summer, as optimism was high that the regulatory storm had largely passed and that (at least) BTC was in the clear for an ETF.
  • Although disappointing, it was not entirely surprising that the SEC deferred the decision to comment on the ARC 21Shares spot BTC ETF, possibly to make a universal decision later. While this does not equate to a rejection, it is worth noting that the optimism that the market had undertaken toward a seemingly certain BTF ETF may be misplaced.
Figure: SEC Delay
Source:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-punts-ark21shares-spot-bitcoin-etf-opens-proposal-comments

Dissenting Opinions Arise

  • Why might the market have to temper optimism toward a BTC ETF? While ultimate approval may be in the cards, the path could take longer than anticipated. The SEC reopened the BTC ETF to public commentary, specifically around the “surveillance sharing agreement” and market partners (e.g., Coinbase) that have been filed as operational actors for the ETF.
  • New dissenting opinions have been appearing, including a detailed letter from Better Markets outlining why a BTC ETF should be rejected.
  • Nevertheless, this week could provide additional clarity, as many anticipate some sort of update or ruling from the Grayscale vs SEC dispute about GBTC converting to a spot ETF, which could paint the picture for all spot ETFs.
  • Finally, it is important to note that in parallel with the spot BTC ETF, there have been a multitude of filings for futures-based ETH ETFs – this could provide another catalyst for the crypto market if approved.
Figure: Better Markets Comment Letter
Source: https://bettermarkets.org/newsroom/sec-should-reject-bitcoin-etf-filings-because-they-will-expose-investors-to-fraud-manipulation-and-other-investor-harms/

Disclosures

Purpose

This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.

Analyst Certification

Vivek Raman, the research analyst denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report, hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.

Conflicts of Interest

This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.

General Disclosures

Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge.  BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services.  BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.

The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision.  The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction.  The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment.  The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance. 

All derivatives brokerage is conducted by Ooda Commodities, LLC a member of NFA and subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.

BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.

“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.

Copyright 2023 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.

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