Technology

Hashdex Files 19b-4 For Combined Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF – Crypto News

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

Dripp

Three weeks after withdrawing its spot Ethereum ETF application, asset manager Hashdex has submitted a 19b-4 filing for combined spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Hashdex Triggers New Wave of ETF Applications

The news of the filing was highlighted by Nate Geraci, the President of ETF Store.

There it is…

19b-4 filing for *combined* spot btc & eth ETF.

Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF.https://t.co/4xw4ae8Mad

h/t @strack_ben pic.twitter.com/yK7azbyfxv

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) June 18, 2024

He shared a screenshot of the document that was submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the Nasdaq stock exchange on June 17. According to the description added to the filing, the stock exchange is proposing to list and trade shares of the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF under Nasdaq Rule 5711(d).

Notably, the proposed ETF will be managed and controlled by Hashdex but administered by Tidal ETF Services LLC. This is after the SEC must have given its approval following the filing of an S-1 application. Just like many other spot crypto ETF issuers, Hashdex plans to enter into an agreement with Coinbase Custody Trust Company and Bitcoin Trust to serve as custodians for the underlying digital assets of the ETF.

Apart from the fact that this potential ETF is a combination of digital assets, in this case, BTC and ETH, it is not different from either of the two single ETFs that the U.S SEC greenlighted this year. It is designed to offer institutional investors and retail traders investment exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum via the public securities market without holding the cryptocurrencies directly.

The deadline for the Commission’s approval is likely around March 2025.

Hashdex And Grayscale Withdraw Spot Ethereum ETF Applications

This new development comes barely three weeks after Hashdex withdrew its spot Ethereum ETF application. In a plot twist, the withdrawal was only a week after the U.S. SEC gave green light to similar proposals from eight other issuers including VanEck, Fidelity, Franklin, Grayscale, Bitwise, ARK Invest and 21Shares, Invesco and Galaxy and BlackRock.

Investment asset management firm Grayscale also followed the same path as Hashdex about a month ago. The firm sent shockwaves through the crypto industry by withdrawing its application for the Ethereum Futures ETF. The reason behind the decision was not disclosed initially, causing analysts to speculate.

According to Bloomberg ETF Research Analyst, James Seyffart, Grayscale was likely trying to replicate the circumstances that led to the approval of their GBTC Bitcoin ETF.