Ethereum jumps 17% on increased ETF approval odds

As an experienced financial analyst, I believe the news of a higher chance for Ethereum (ETH) ETF approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has significantly contributed to the recent surge in Ethereum’s price. The potential approval would represent a major milestone for the cryptocurrency market as a whole, increasing institutional adoption and potentially attracting more mainstream investors.


The second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, Ethereum (ETH), experienced a 17% increase in value after reports indicated a higher likelihood of SEC approval for its exchange-traded fund (ETF) application.

May 20 marked a notable increase for Ethereum, now priced at $3,658 with a daily trading volume of $37 billion. This uptick came about after Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg’s senior analyst, bumped up the likelihood of an Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF) being approved from 25% to 75%.

As a researcher examining the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), I observed an accelerated trend in their approval process for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This observation prompted me to consider potential reasons behind this shift. One possibility that emerged was the agency potentially succumbing to political pressure. Previously, the SEC had shown minimal engagement with ETF applicants, but recent developments indicated a more proactive stance.

Based on recent developments, JSeyff and I have raised our estimation of Ether ETF approval chances to 75% from the initial 25%. Rumors circulating suggest that the SEC might be reconsidering its stance on this contentious issue. As a result, there’s a flurry of activity as everyone, including us, reassesses their expectations (which had previously been set on denial).

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) May 20, 2024

According to Balchunas, the SEC seems to be encouraging exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq to make revisions to their filings, although the regulatory body has not yet officially announced this.

As a researcher studying the regulatory landscape of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), I’ve come across Nate Geraci’s perspective on an ongoing issue. Nate, co-founder of the ETF Institute and president of the ETF Store, shared that the decision regarding the registration requirement for individual ETF funds (S-1) has yet to be made final.

As an analyst, I’d interpret Geraci’s statement to mean that the SEC has the discretion to approve the exchange rule amendments (19b-4s) separately from VanEck’s Ethereum spot ETF registration (S-1). This could potentially result in the ETF application being reviewed after May 23, the deadline set by VanEck for this request.

As a PoS cryptocurrency analyst, I recognize the importance of regulatory approval for such complex systems. A potential delay in the review process would allow regulators additional time to meticulously examine and assess these documents, taking into account the intricate details and risks associated with Proof-of-Stake technology. This approach ensures a thorough evaluation and ultimately, a more robust regulatory framework for the industry.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been examining whether ether, the main cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, qualifies as an investment security. This investigation was initiated following Ethereum’s transition from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. In simpler terms, the SEC is reevaluating whether ether should be classified as an asset that investors buy with the expectation of earning profits based on the efforts of others or the Ethereum network itself.

As a researcher studying securities regulations, I can tell you that if the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were to classify ether as a security, it could potentially result in the rejection of any pending spot ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications.

Analysts at QCP Capital posit that the subdued market activity and the impending approval of an Ethereum spot ETF may trigger a short squeeze. Consequently, they anticipate that Ethereum could regain its momentum and reach its previous peak of $4,066 from March 12, based on CoinMarketCap data.

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2024-05-21 10:28