All eyes have been on the SEC this week in anticipation for a spot bitcoin ETF approval, however, some industry heavyweights believe it’s till next week. Big names like Bloomberg’s James Seyffart, Nate Geraci, and Fox’s Eleanor Terret all lean towards a next week approval, especially between Jan. 8th and 10th.
Why Would The SEC’s Approval Take Till Next Week?
One of the major reasons why industry titans are confident about the ETF approvals being next week is that the SEC was still in meetings with issuers as of Jan. 3, trying to round up with comments on the 19b-4s.
“????SCOOP: The @SECGov is holding meetings today with the exchanges (@Nasdaq, @CBOE, @NYSE) to finalize comments on the 19b-4s submitted by the $BTC Spot ETF issuers.” said Fox’s Eleanor Terret on X.
Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas has been one of the strongest believers in the spot Bitcoin ETF approval. He believes the SEC isn’t necessarily delaying or planning to deny the filings, but making finishing touches on issuers’ 19b-4s leading up to an imminent approval.
“Things you prob don’t do if you going to deny or delay. Hearing similar btw, and why why when we see updated (final) 19b-4s roll in that is sign approval imminent as SEC has been doing back and forth w issuers offline to perfect their 19b-4s vs doing numerous refilings a la S-1s,” wrote Balchunas on X.
Jan 8 – 10 in View for SEC Approval, According to Inside Sources
Terret reported that inside sources “close to the SEC could begin notifying issuers of approval on Friday with trading beginning as early as next week.”
“ETF analysts and issuers alike remain confident that a favorable decision from the SEC will be made on or before Jan. 10, as the SEC continues to meet with key players on the matter.” added Terret.
Nate Geraci of ETF Store also highlighted Terret’s report above in a screenshot format, in agreement that the SEC will roll out spot Bitcoin ETF approval notifications late this week and that trading should begin next week.
Similarly, Bloomberg’s James Seyffart’s views on the approval timeline align with Terret’s reporting. Unlike earlier analyses about the trading timeline being weeks from approval, he believes the issuers are ready to start trading next week within days of approval.
“My view is in line with @EleanorTerrett’s reporting. I think the SEC could begin signaling to issuers to expect approvals tho I’m still expecting official approvals Jan 8 – 10. I also think the gap between approval orders and actual trading will be measured in days — not weeks,” said Seyffart on X.