Coinspeaker
BlackRock Gears Up for Potential Bitcoin ETF Launch, Unveils Ticker
In a significant development that signals a potential breakthrough in the world of cryptocurrencies, BlackRock Inc (NYSE: BLK), the global asset management giant, has taken substantial steps toward the much-anticipated launch of its Bitcoin (BTC) spot exchange-traded fund (ETF).
The company has recently unveiled the ticker symbol for the iShares Bitcoin Trust as “IBTC” on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), one of the key players in the United States financial market infrastructure. The company manages an impressive $2.3 quadrillion in annual stock sales.
BlackRock to Conduct Seed Funding for Its Bitcoin Spot ETF
According to the latest amendment filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), BlackRock plans to conduct seed funding for the investment vehicle as early as this month.
While the exact date for the potential fundraising remains confidential, the move is a common practice in launching ETFs, serving as an initial impetus to propel the product’s presence in the stock exchange market.
The presence of the “IBTC” listing on the DTCC has triggered speculation and discussion among industry experts and market observers.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Bloomberg senior analyst Eric Balchunas said the listing of the Bitcoin spot ETF on DTCC is a potential indication of imminent approval by the US securities watchdog.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust has been listed on the DTCC (Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, which clears NASDAQ trades). And the ticker will be $IBTC. Again all part of the process of bringing ETF to market.. h/t @martypartymusic pic.twitter.com/8PQP3h2yW0
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) October 23, 2023
Balchunas suggested that for BlackRock to list the ETF on DTCC, the company might have already received information from the SEC regarding its approval or that the asset manager was preparing everything, assuming that the agency would approve its ETF application. Either way, the financial analyst believes BlackRock is leading the charge among other ETF applicants.
“This is [the] first spot ETF listed on DTCC, none of the others on there (yet). Def notable that BlackRock is leading the logistics (seeding, ticker, dtcc) that tend to happen just before launch. It’s hard not to view this as them getting a signal that approval is certain/imminent,” said Balchunas.
SEC Has Until January to Approve BlackRock ETF
Considering the timeline of BlackRock’s ETF application, the SEC has until January 10, 2024, to decide whether to approve or reject the proposal.
If approved, the Bitcoin ETF is poised to revolutionize the accessibility of the crypto market for investors, offering a simplified avenue to invest in BTC without grappling with the intricacies of managing digital assets on crypto exchanges.
The growing optimism surrounding the approval of a Bitcoin ETF stemmed from the recent greenlight from the regulators for Bitcoin futures ETFs, hinting at a more receptive stance towards crypto-based investment products. Industry insiders are closely monitoring the developments, anticipating a potential surge in BTC value and an influx of fresh capital into the dynamic crypto market.
The crypto asset saw an upward movement on Monday, reaching above $34,000 for the first time since this year. The move showcased a notable 24-hour surge of approximately 10%, according to CoinMarketCap data. Despite the significant surge since the beginning of the year, the price remains 55% lower than its all-time high of nearly $ 70,000 in November 2021.
Meanwhile, BlackRock’s IBTC listing on the DTCC platform signifies a crucial step forward in the quest for a spot in Bitcoin ETFs, hinting at a potential transformation in the market dynamics and the broader investment landscape.
The company’s strategic maneuvers in the ETF domain are in sync with the broader industry trend, with other major players such as VanEck, WisdomTree, and Valkyrie also actively pursuing the creation of similar investment vehicles for their respective customers.
BlackRock Gears Up for Potential Bitcoin ETF Launch, Unveils Ticker
