Bitcoin (BTC) spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States now have a \u201cclear runway\u201d to potential simultaneous approvals after an advanced decision to delay the bids of Franklin Templeton and Hashdex ETFs, according to ETF analysts.<\/p>\n
In a Nov. 28 X (Twitter) post, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart said the Securities and Exchange Commission delayed its decision on the applications 34 days earlier than the Jan. 1, 2024, decision deadline.<\/p>\n
The SEC requested comments on forms by Templeton and Hashdex that are necessary for the ETFs to eventually be listed and start trading. The comment and rebuttal period will last 35 days.<\/p>\n
Seyffart and his colleague Eric Balchunas had placed 90% odds on spot Bitcoin ETF approvals by Jan. 10 next year, and the twin delays \u201call but confirms for me that this was likely a move to line every applicant up for potential approval by the Jan 10, 2024 deadline,\u201d Seyffart said.<\/p>\n
Balchunas agreed, posting to X that the SEC was \u201cprob looking to get them out of the way, clear runway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commercial litigator Joe Carlasare thinks, however, the delays increase the probability of a March 2024 approval as the comment period for Franklin\u2019s ETF bid was extended until Jan. 3, 2024, and the SEC typically takes a maximum of three weeks to review comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cJanuary is still likely the favorite though,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Related: <\/em><\/strong>Futures will be the best crypto game in town even after a Bitcoin spot ETF<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n On Nov. 28, Franklin also submitted an updated Form S-1 for its ETF \u2014 a document registering securities with the SEC \u2014 after Seyffart earlier highlighted it was the only bidder yet to submit an updated prospectus.<\/p>\n Reacting to the filing, Balchunas said while he\u2019s in favor of letting all ETFs launch simultaneously, it \u201cseems kinda unfair\u201d that Franklin might be allowed to launch its ETF the same day as other providers despite submitting the form months later.<\/p>\n There are currently 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs before the SEC, including bids from Grayscale and BlackRock. Most have final decision dates in March, besides ARK Invest\u2019s bid, which the SEC must approve or deny by Jan. 10, 2024.<\/p>\n