Spot Ethereum ETF Odds And Timing Are ‘Underestimated’, Says Coinbase

As a researcher with experience in the crypto market, I strongly believe that the likelihood and timing of a US spot Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval are significantly underestimated by the market. Based on Coinbase Research’s detailed report written by David Han, the potential approval of such an ETF would bring profound changes to Ethereum’s market dynamics.


As a research analyst, I’ve recently come across a comprehensive report published by Coinbase Research, penned by David Han. This report brings to light the frequently underestimated probability and potential timeline for the approval of a US spot Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETF). It’s essential to note that such an approval could instigate substantial shifts in Ethereum’s market dynamics.

The Case For A Spot ETH ETF Approval

The report explores the significance of a proposed ETH ETF, making comparisons with the approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US. The arrival of spot Bitcoin ETFs has brought regulatory certainty and resulted in substantial financial inflows, enhancing Bitcoin’s standing as a macro asset. In turn, a spot Ethereum ETF would expose it to the same financial resources that currently favor Bitcoin, leading to shifts in investment tendencies within the crypto market.

Han emphasizes the essential point behind an ETF for Ethereum based on its spot price: the strong connection between CME Ethereum futures and the spot market values. The significance of this correlation played a crucial role in the acceptance of Bitcoin spot ETFs.

“According to Han, the relationship between CME’s futures contracts and Ethereum’s spot market exchange rates is strong enough that CME’s monitoring system should be able to identify any potential misconduct in the Ethereum spot market, similar to the situation with Bitcoin.”

Although Ethereum boasts a substantial market opportunity, a recent report underscores its distinctions from Bitcoin and addresses regulatory concerns, primarily centering around Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism. The intricacies of staking – including slashing penalties, varying validators, and unstaking liquidity risks – add to the regulatory debate. Han remarks, “The complications of staking pose distinct hurdles, yet they should not influence the standing of unstaked ETH.”

The feeling among traders, as represented on platforms such as Polymarket, estimates the probability of a spot Ethereum Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) being approved by May 31, 2024, to be around 16%. Contrarily, Coinbase’s assessment indicates a higher likelihood, approximating 30-40%. This disparity suggests that the market might not fully comprehend the potential regulatory and market changes that could positively impact Ethereum.

Han adds that if the SEC’s initial rejection of the proposal by May 23, 2024, is overturned, there is a strong chance that lawsuits will accomplish this. He explains that given crypto’s growing significance as an election matter, the SEC might be reluctant to invest the required political resources in denying the proposal.

A approved ETF for Ethereum spots would bring Ethereum in line with Bitcoin regarding regulatory approval and access to institutional funds. This development could also reshape the crypto market’s capital flow dynamics. Traditionally, investments have moved from Bitcoin to Ethereum and then to riskier altcoins. However, an ETH spot ETF might change this trend by enabling institutional investors to invest directly in Ethereum, potentially making the investment process more straightforward.

In simpler terms, Han highlights that the approval of an ETH Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) could significantly reduce one of the major obstacles for Ethereum, particularly in a complex regulatory landscape. He stresses that this approval would pave the way for increased investments in ETH and bring much-needed regulatory certainty.

Ethereum’s Long-Term Positioning

According to Coinbase’s report, Ethereum’s position in the long term goes beyond just its role as a spot ETF. The advantages of Ethereum, including its mature developer ecosystem, widespread use of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) platform, and its status as collateral in Decentralized Finance (DeFi), set it apart from competitors like Solana, making it unrivaled in several aspects, as per Han’s perspective.

The expansion of Ethereum’s layer-2 solutions and the decrease in ETH burning following EIP-1559 are two key aspects that boost Ethereum’s value proposition. Moreover, Ethereum’s historical price trends demonstrate its dual function as both a digital asset for storing value and a technological token, making it distinctively positioned in the market.

To sum up, Coinbase’s study strongly argues for the imminent green light from US regulators for a spot Ethereum ETF. The findings imply that investors might be underestimating the likelihood and timing of this approval, potentially setting the stage for unexpected positive developments.

As an analyst, I believe there’s a possibility that the market is underestimating both the timing and likelihood of approval for Ethereum (ETH), which could lead to unexpected positive developments. In the coming months, ETH may experience upside surprises due to its lack of significant supply-side pressures from token unlocks or miner selling.

At press time, the ETH price stood at $3,028.

Spot Ethereum ETF Odds And Timing Are ‘Underestimated’, Says Coinbase

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2024-05-17 18:12