Ethereum ETF Approval In Jeopardy Amid Market Reversal, Here’s All

As an experienced financial analyst, I believe that the Ethereum ETF approval faces significant uncertainty in the current market conditions. The regulatory hurdles and potential delays could add to the growing concerns for investors. With two approvals required, both from Trading and Markets (T&M) and either Corporate Finance (Corp Fin) or Investment Management (Inv Mgmt), it’s crucial to understand that only the T&M approval has a set deadline.


The approval of an Ethereum ETF is shrouded in doubt as market circumstances deteriorate. Financier Charles Gasparino has identified potential pitfalls, implying that regulatory obstacles could postpone or halt the authorization procedure. This occurrence transpired amidst a significant slide in the broader crypto sector, where Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are both projected to experience decreases.

The Dual Approval Process and Market Impact

Charles expressed his perspective on the Ethereum ETF approval procedure, disclosing that two separate approvals are necessary: one from Trading and Markets (T&M) for trading, and another from either Corporate Finance (Corp Fin) or Investment Management (Inv Mgmt) for issuance, contingent upon the type of offering.

A regulatory insider highlighted that only the T&M (Terms and Conditions) approval comes with a definitive timeline. Granted, approvals from T&M can be obtained, but there’s still a chance of delays in the issuance approval from Corp Fin or IM. Analysts at Bernstein, specifically Gautam Chhugani and Mahika Sapra, predict that an Ethereum spot ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) approval could lead to a 75% price surge for Ethereum, reaching $6,600. They base their assumption on the SEC’s earlier approval of a Bitcoin product in January, which subsequently caused a 75% increase in Bitcoin prices within weeks.

Market Reactions and Investor Sentiment

Following the Ethereum ETF excitement, the value of open positions in Ethereum futures contracts jumped from $11.25 billion to $14.87 billion within a three-day span, representing a noteworthy increase of 24.3%. This surge in open interest implies a bullish sentiment, indicating heightened investor attention and a stronger buyer presence in the market. Nevertheless, Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced slight decreases of 0.31% and 2.04% respectively over the previous 24 hours.

The crypto sentiment gauge, reflecting market mood, has risen from 64 to 76 over the past week. This index monitors emotions in the cryptocurrency sector, with fear typically indicating ripe buying chances, while excessive greed may foreshadow market corrections. As such, investors pondering entry or expansion might hold off on major moves until the ETF decision is known. Rejection of applications could trigger a mass sell-off.

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2024-05-22 18:44