In a significant regulatory development, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has greenlit the Jacobi FT Wilshere Bitcoin ETF. Set to trade under the ticker “BCOIN,” this heralds the first instance of a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) being listed in Europe.
Interestingly, this milestone occurs nearly two years after the ETF received initial approval and following various unforeseen circumstances that pressured Jacobi Asset Management to postpone plans. Issues like the collapse of the Terra ecosystem and the disconcerting bankruptcy of a well-known cryptocurrency exchange such as FTX, threw the digital asset market into turmoil.
A pivotal aspect of this ETF is its inability to be leveraged or use derivatives, drastically contrasting with common exchange-traded notes (ETNs), where the investors basically own a debt security.
As regulations around the world on cryptocurrency remain varied and sometimes controversial, it cannot be ignored that Europe has managed to trade a spot bitcoin ETF before the U.S., who, despite witnessing a slew of applications to the Securities and Exchange Commission in recent years, hasn’t approved any.
However, there’s fresh optimism regarding the possibility of the SEC approving a spot Bitcoin fund, after asset management titan BlackRock led a spate of applications incorporating “surveillance-sharing” agreements. These are designed as a safety measure against potential market manipulation.
The actions of Jacobi Asset Management highlight Europe’s progressive stance on the integration of digital assets within its financial systems. However, the reality surrounding the less than stable essence of the crypto market, as illustrated by the downfall of the Terra ecosystem and persistent concerns of market manipulation, serve as a somber reminder of the hurdles this sector still faces.
The future success of the Jacobi FT Wilshere Bitcoin ETF might serve as a critical impetus for similar funds not only across Europe but potentially beyond. Conversely, should it perform unsatisfactorily, it would most certainly bolster hesitant sentiments towards ETFs linked to such volatile assets.
All in all, the unveiling of Europe’s first Bitcoin ETF is a significant step forward in the global acceptance of digital currencies, albeit peppered with its own set of insecurities. As the saga unravels, the world eagerly looks towards the SEC and its potential acceptance of a spot Bitcoin fund, a development that’s eagerly anticipated in the crypto sphere.
Source: Coindesk
