Talks about a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) have been in the works a while now, and some experts in mainstream finance still believe it’s only a matter of time before one is granted. Ric Edelman, co-founder of Edelman Financial Services, insisted in an interview with CNBC that a Bitcoin ETF was “virtually certain”.
The derivative market for Bitcoin and altcoins are still a nascent development and while many mainstream financial players may have been watching from a distance, some have drawn closer to become pioneers from the traditional system to venture into cryptocurrency-related markets built on the topology of the traditional market.
Edelman’s comment that it was only a matter of time, adds yet another to many recent speculations that continue to draw the spotlight on Bitcoin in mainstream finance.
Bitcoin News reported earlier how mainstream financial players are considering hedging 1% of their portfolio funds to bitcoin – playing it safe with almost nothing to lose. Edelman also agreed to this strategy implying that the price volatility of the Bitcoin market can have useful impacts when favorable, and minimal when the price dips – after all, it’s just 1% of funds in the portfolio that will be affected.
He further reiterated the concerns of the regulatory watchdog, suggesting that the concerns of the SEC with regards to the crypto industry are legitimate and thoughtful. While affirming his confidence in the cryptocurrency markets and the efforts of key drivers in the industry towards overcoming these challenges, he, however, feels the time isn’t right for ordinary investors to dive into crypto investments, and that the ETF may highlight that hallmark. He said:
“It’s at that stage [Bitcoin ETF] that I will be much more comfortable recommending that ordinary investors participate.”
The Cryptocurrency industry is one of the most dynamic and innovative financial systems. However, regulators have thought it wise to tread carefully due to the overwhelming issues currently plaguing the industry, which the SEC has bored down to two basics: custody infrastructure and market oversight concerns – given that the nature of digital assets built on the blockchain is essentially decentralized.
Edelman further opines that serious players are in the industry, and are pulling in resources to ensure that they surmount the challenges highlighted by the SEC.
After multiple rejected Bitcoin ETF applications last year and a withdrawn application earlier this year due to the United States government shutdown, Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), SolidX, as well as VanEck have reapplied with the SEC keeping fingers crossed.
At this point, there’s no doubt that there’s high demand for Bitcoin ETF; from mainstream financial institutions to current crypto market participants; everyone is eagerly waiting to see the ETF approval lift the long bear-ridden cycle of the market.
Logically, the expectations are hinged on the premise of a similar occurrence in the December 2017 hype-drive, when Bitcoin futures introduced into the market by CBOE and CME Group ushered in a new class of investors and traders, thereby propelling the price-value of Bitcoin as well as alt markets.
ETF is one among others in the pipeline of financial derivatives that may fully launch crypto into mainstream finance. Recently, LedgerX introduced a new derivative called Binary Wager that would bet on Bitcoin’s next halving date. This occurrence happens once in every four years, and the new instrument can be classed under the long term derivate market. Either way, it would seem a lot of individuals have long term expectations for Bitcoin as well as the crypto market in general.
Follow BitcoinNews.com on Twitter: @BitcoinNewsCom
Telegram Alerts from BitcoinNews.com: https://t.me/bconews
Want to advertise or get published on BitcoinNews.com? – View our Media Kit PDF here.
Image Courtesy: bitcoinnews.com
