A report prepared by the investment bank TD Cowen highlighted that the recent approval of spot Ethereum ETFs marks a significant milestone in the crypto investment environment. This development followed the approval of Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year and sparked speculation about the imminent approval of additional crypto funds. This relatively swift approval, which came about six months earlier than expected, was seen by TD Cowen’s research team as an inevitable consequence of the prior approval of crypto futures ETFs.
Expansion to Other Altcoins
Jaret Seiberg from TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group noted that the approval of Ethereum ETFs sets the stage for the potential introduction of funds tracking a broader range of cryptocurrencies. Seiberg suggested that within the next year, we might see offerings that include a “basket of cryptocurrencies” potentially involving Bitcoin and Ethereum. This anticipated development will mean diversification of investment opportunities in the crypto space.
However, it is crucial to understand that this approval does not signify a fundamental shift in the SEC’s overall approach to cryptocurrency regulation. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler continued to criticize the crypto industry, citing numerous failures, frauds, and bankruptcies within the sector.
Gensler’s stance is that these issues stem not from a lack of regulatory clarity but from many industry participants’ non-compliance with existing regulations. This perspective underscored the SEC’s ongoing cautious and rigorous oversight of the crypto market.
Recent Legal Developments
Recent legal developments also play a significant role in shaping the crypto regulatory landscape. The US House of Representatives’ passage of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT 21) reflected ongoing efforts to create a more defined regulatory framework for digital assets. Despite this legal progress, Gensler’s critical stance indicates that the SEC will maintain a stringent regulatory posture.
TD Cowen predicts that the SEC will maintain its Democratic majority until 2026, implying that a rigorous approach to crypto regulation will continue. The institution is expected to persist in its legal actions against crypto trading platforms it believes are dealing with unregistered securities.
