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Grayscale’s Lawyer Downplays US SEC Silence on Spot Ethereum ETFs: Bullish Sign?

By Dalmas Ngetich

Last Updated: Mar 26, 2024

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ETH ETF News: Spot Ethereum ETFs likely approved even amid SEC silence over Ethereum (ETH) says top Grayscale crypto lawyer - read here.
Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer

Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.
99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.

In the latest ETH ETF news, a top Grayscale crypto lawyer has said that a Spot Ethereum ETF is likely to be approved even amid SEC silence over Ethereum (ETH) regulation.

Craig Salm, the Chief Legal Officer at Grayscale, a crypto firm offering various investment products, including those of Ethereum, has downplayed concerns about the lack of communication from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

His comments come amid lingering concerns after the Ethereum Foundation, the non-profit promoting the adoption of the network’s solutions, was subpoenaed by an unnamed state authority.

Beyond this, observers also think the uncertainty around the regulatory status of Ethereum could still impede the approval process.

History Will Repeat Itself for Spot Ethereum ETFs?

In a post on X, Salm acknowledged the ongoing chatter surrounding spot Ethereum ETFs and the agency’s apparent radio silence. 

Even with this, the lawyer remains optimistic, drawing parallels to the approval process for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Of note, Salm highlighted constructive engagement between the stringent regulator and spot Bitcoin ETF applicants, including Grayscale, Fidelity, and Ark, in the lead-up to the historic greenlighting of the product in mid-January 2024.

 

The lawyer revealed that discussions focused on crucial details like the creation or redemption procedure and custodial arrangements.

By law, the SEC oversees products like spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. However, at the core, a custodian like Coinbase Custody must be present to store the underlying coins backing every share.

Since spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs share similar underlying functions, Salm believes the groundwork for approval has already been laid, even if the United States SEC has been silent recently.

 

ETH ETF Optimism Battered By Regulatory Headwinds

Despite this optimistic outlook, the lawyer acknowledged potential roadblocks, notably the recent news of a state authority subpoenaing the Ethereum Foundation, which has been a source of chatter and concern.

The ongoing debate about whether ETH is a security or a commodity remains unresolved. Gary Gensler, the agency chairperson, has not clarified the agency’s position on the coin. The United States SEC, before approving the spot Bitcoin ETF, said BTC is a commodity. This has not been the case for ETH.

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Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

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Dalmas Ngetich
Dalmas Ngetich
Crypto Journalist

Dalmas is an experienced journalist with over a decade in crypto, technology, and blockchain. His work and that of his partners have been featured in top news outlets, including Forbes, investing.com, and Entrepreneur, among others. He is passionate about crypto... Read More

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