In the wake of the successful applications for spot Bitcoin ETFs in mid-June 2023, several financial giants are now turning their attention to Ethereum futures ETFs. The move has brought strong optimism to the broader crypto community, as these companies look to diversify their offerings beyond Bitcoin. Six prominent financial firms, including Volatility Shares, Bitwise, Roundhill, VanEck, Proshares, and Grayscale, have recently filed applications for Ethereum futures ETFs. The applications were reported by Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, on August 1st.
Ethereum Futures ETF Applications Surge
Volatility Shares, known for launching the first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF (BITX), has filed a new application called the Ether Strategy ETF. In their proposal to the SEC on July 28, Volatility Shares revealed that the ETF would invest in cash-settled Ether Futures contracts traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), rather than directly investing in Ether.
This move by Volatility Shares comes after the recent successful launch of their 2x Bitcoin Strategy ETF, which corresponds to two times the daily excess return of the S&P CME Bitcoin Futures Daily Roll Index. Despite some recent Ether filers being forced to withdraw their applications, the success of the 2x Bitcoin Futures ETF has given Volatility Shares confidence that the time is right to pursue an Ethereum futures ETF.
Ethereum Price Gains Momentum Amidst Mixed Market Sentiment
While the broader cryptocurrency market has experienced some selling pressure, Ethereum (ETH) has shown resilience, gaining more than 2% in the last 24 hours. As of press time, ETH is trading at $1,860, with a market cap of $225 billion.
Following a brief dip below $1,900, Ethereum’s price has managed to rebound, providing some relief to investors. However, the recent downturn in Bitcoin’s price to $29,000 also affected Ethereum, leading to its drop below $1,900. The subsequent recovery above $1,850 suggests a potential path to further gains.
Despite the recent price rebound, Ethereum options data reveals a different story. The six-month call-put skew for Ether, which measures the difference between implied volatilities of call and put options expiring in 180 days, has dropped to -0.91. This is the lowest level since June 15, according to crypto data provider Amberdata.
A negative value in the call-put skew suggests a preference for put options, indicating that investors are more bearish on the market. Put options provide buyers with the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying asset at a predetermined price on or before a specific date. On the other hand, call options are a sign of bullish sentiment among investors.
The Future Outlook for Ethereum Futures ETFs
As financial giants rush to apply for Ethereum futures ETFs, the crypto market eagerly awaits the SEC’s response to these filings. The success of Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year has generated enthusiasm for further institutional investment in the cryptocurrency space.
If approved, the introduction of Ethereum futures ETFs could potentially open the doors for a wider audience of investors to gain exposure to the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency. By investing in cash-settled Ether Futures contracts traded on CME, these ETFs aim to offer a regulated and accessible way to track Ethereum’s price movements without directly holding the digital asset.
However, market participants should remain cautious, given the mixed sentiment reflected in the options data. While some investors remain bullish on Ethereum’s future prospects, others seem to be hedging their bets with bearish positions.
Conclusion
The rush of financial giants to apply for Ethereum futures ETFs signifies growing interest in the cryptocurrency market beyond Bitcoin. As the industry continues to evolve, the success of these ETFs could have a significant impact on the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, offering investors a regulated and efficient way to gain exposure to the digital asset markets.
