A flood of investment money is expected to enter the cryptocurrency market if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from several firms in the coming days. This approval would provide easier access to bitcoin for both crypto-savvy individuals and those who are new to the world of cryptocurrencies.
The potential approval of bitcoin ETFs would require ETF issuers to purchase billions of dollars worth of bitcoin to meet the surge in demand from retail investors. Currently, the largest bitcoin investment vehicle, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, holds billions of dollars in assets, indicating the existing appetite for bitcoin even before the floodgates open.
Market players believe that the industry is prepared to handle the influx of investment capital. Key players, including BlackRock, Grayscale, Fidelity, and Galaxy Invesco, are confident that bitcoin trading is liquid enough to accommodate such large purchases. To ensure efficient trading of a significant amount of capital, two key players come into play: authorized participants (APs) and market makers.
Authorized participants are trading firms responsible for creating and redeeming ETF shares, directing investor money into and out of the fund. This process ensures that the price of an ETF remains closely linked to the value of its underlying holdings. Market makers, on the other hand, operate in the secondary market, buying ETF shares when others want to sell and vice versa. They help maintain price stability by trading to align prices with the underlying asset’s value.
Several large Wall Street firms, including JPMorgan Chase, Jane Street, and Cantor Fitzgerald, have agreed to serve as authorized participants for bitcoin ETFs. These firms will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the ETF market.
DRW, one of the world’s largest liquidity providers, has been preparing for bitcoin ETFs through its crypto division, Cumberland DRW. The company has been onboarding issuers and sourcing bitcoin to ensure it is ready to fulfill orders from authorized participants once the new investment vehicles are available.
While the prospect of billions of dollars in bitcoin orders may seem overwhelming, traders are confident that the market is efficient enough to handle such trading volume. Market participants believe that if there is demand, there will be sufficient supply. Rob Strebel, Cumberland DRW’s Head of Relationship Management, expressed confidence in the market’s ability to provide the necessary liquidity.
ETFs are attractive investment products for investors due to their ease of access. In the U.S., conventional brokerage accounts allow customers to purchase a wide range of stocks and ETFs. A bitcoin ETF would be just as accessible as buying shares of a company like Apple. Additionally, ETFs tend to closely track the value of the underlying asset they hold, providing investors with a convenient way to gain exposure to bitcoin’s price movements.
Overall, the potential approval of bitcoin ETFs by the SEC is expected to bring a significant influx of investment capital into the cryptocurrency market. Market players believe that the industry is well-prepared to handle this surge in demand, with authorized participants and market makers ready to ensure efficient trading and liquidity. If approved, bitcoin ETFs would provide retail investors with easier access to bitcoin, further expanding the reach and adoption of cryptocurrencies.