Valkyrie Investments Receives SEC Approval for First Ethereum Futures ETF

cryptonews.com:

Today, Nashville-based asset management firm Valkyrie Investments secured approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the first-ever exchange-traded fund (ETF) for Ethereum futures. This could mark an important milestone for digital asset investment in the United States.

The SEC's decision comes as the regulatory body is slowly opening up to the crypto market. In October 2021, the SEC allowed the trading of Bitcoin ETFs priced off futures contracts. Valkyrie Investments is now part of a select group of firms that offer crypto-related ETFs, building on its existing Bitcoin Mining ETF.

Valkyrie Investments is not alone in its pursuit of establishing Ethereum futures ETFs. Eight other issuers, including VanEck, Grayscale Investments, and Bitwise, have filed applications with the SEC. These firms look to capitalize on the growing demand for Ethereum, which currently holds the title of the world's second-largest digital asset.

Beyond Ethereum futures ETFs, Valkyrie Investments, along with Wall Street giants like BlackRock and Fidelity, is also exploring the possibility of introducing a spot Bitcoin ETF. A spot ETF would enable a broader array of investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin's spot price instead of its future value, which is currently only accessible to accredited investors. 

So far, the SEC has been hesitant to approve this type of ETF, citing regulatory concerns.

Interestingly, Valkyrie had initially planned to roll out its fund on October 3. However, concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown prompted the SEC to fast-track the approval process for Ethereum futures ETFs. If Congress fails to agree on funding, the government could cease most operations, affecting nearly two million