Ethereum ETFs approved aligning ETH closer to commodity in industry win vs SEC

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), marking a significant milestone for the crypto industry. The decision, announced today, allows asset managers such as Grayscale, Fidelity, and Bitwise to launch ETFs that directly track the price of Ethereum (ETH).

Ethereum rose XX% on the news, trading at XXXX as of press time.

The approval follows a rigorous application process and extensive market analysis. Grayscale’s Chief Legal Officer, Craig Salm, previously highlighted that the SEC had already addressed key issues during the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, which are applicable to Ethereum ETFs as well. These issues include creation and redemption processes, cash versus in-kind transactions, and custody concerns. Salm emphasized that the SEC’s prior engagement with Bitcoin ETF issuers laid the groundwork for Ethereum ETFs, noting the strong correlation between ETH futures and spot prices as a compelling factor for approval.

The SEC’s decision comes after a period of uncertainty and skepticism among market analysts. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas had previously estimated a 25% chance of approval by May 23, citing the SEC’s lack of engagement compared to the Bitcoin ETF approval process. However, the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year, Hong Kong’s ETH ETF approval, and recent crypto wins in Congress had raised hopes among crypto proponents despite the SEC’s historically cautious stance under Gary Gensler’s leadership.

The approval process included a public comment period, during which the SEC sought feedback on various aspects of the proposed ETFs, including custodianship of funds, creation, and redemption models, and sponsor fees. This phase mirrored the approach taken with spot Bitcoin ETF applications, encouraging feedback from US citizens and organizations.

The approval of spot Ethereum ETFs is expected to have a significant impact on the digital assets market. Hong…