Nasdaq’s Crypto ETF Gamble: Will SEC Play Along?

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Dear old SEC, ever the reluctant host, Nasdaq has politely requested that you kindly lift the shackles from those mischievous Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. A bit of a tempest in a teacup, really-though one suspects the market’s more excited than the average squirrel at a nut convention.

Nasdaq Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Proposal: Who Benefits?

The filing, dated Jan. 21, is as charming as a well-timed quip. If approved, it would grant BlackRock’s iShare Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and its Ethereum cousin (ETHA) the freedom to dance without the 25,000-position leash. A bold move, indeed, though one wonders if the SEC’s patience is as robust as its regulatory framework.

Grayscale, Bitwise, Fidelity, and the rest of the crypto crowd will likely enjoy their newfound flexibility-though one imagines the SEC’s bureaucratic ballet will take a few more pirouettes before granting approval.

Nasdaq, ever the diplomat, insists this proposal is a beacon of “fairness” and “equity.” A bit of a stretch, given the SEC’s track record, but who are we to question the wisdom of those who’ve mastered the art of saying nothing while looking very serious?

Meanwhile, the SEC is playing the role of the overly cautious guest, inviting comments until February. A delightful example of regulatory inertia, if ever there was one.

BlackRock and Strategy Expands Bitcoin Exposure

BlackRock, ever the financial equivalent of a well-dressed fox, has been quietly amassing Bitcoin like it’s 2017 again. A selloff? Pah! BlackRock’s strategy is to buy the dip with the enthusiasm of a man who’s finally remembered his keys.

With 9,619 Bitcoin added in January-worth a tidy $878 million at the time-BlackRock’s portfolio now glitters with the promise of digital gold. Meanwhile, Strategy, that paragon of fiscal prudence, has snapped up 22,305 BTC for $2.13 billion. A 3.38% stake in Bitcoin’s 21 million supply? Quite the coup, though one suspects the SEC’s eyes are already glazing over.

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2026-01-22 19:10