The applications for spot ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) face a potential rejection in May when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reaches its deadline for decisions, according to Vaneck’s CEO. His firm is one of the applicants seeking approval for a spot ether ETF. “Right now, pins are dropping as far as Ethereum is […]
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Bitcoin ETFs see $505 million total inflows led by BlackRock as VanEck breaks record
Bitcoin ETF inflows surged on March 11, 2024, with a net gain of $505.5 million, according to data from Bitmex Research. The strong performance was led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), which saw inflows of $562.9 million, representing a 0.12% increase in total assets. Fidelity’s FBTC fund also contributed to the positive momentum, attracting $215.5 million in new investments.
Other notable Newborn Nine ETFs with inflows included Bitwise’s BITB fund ($49.8 million), ARK Invest’s ARKB fund ($13.0 million), and VanEck’s BRRR fund ($118.8 million). VanEck’s announcement to waive fees until 2025 led to its strongest day by far. Previously, the fund had not seen more than $14.2 million in a single day. However, not all Newborn Nine funds experienced gains, with Invesco’s BTCO ETF reporting an outflow of $9.7 million.
Further, Grayscale continued its outflows, with $494 million leaving the fund, the highest level since Feb. 29. Yet, the inflows into Newborn Nine ETFs significantly outweighed the Grayscale outflow for the sixth consecutive day. Only two days since Jan. 26 have total outflows surpassed inflows.

In terms of Bitcoin, the net inflow amounted to 7,009 BTC, with BlackRock’s IBIT fund accounting for 7,805 BTC of the total. Fidelity’s FBTC fund added 2,988 BTC, while Bitwise’s BITB fund saw an inflow of 690 BTC. ARK Invest’s ARKB fund and VanEck’s BRRR fund gained 180 BTC and 1,648 BTC, respectively.

The strong performance of Bitcoin ETFs on March 11, 2024, affirms the growing interest in Bitcoin investments among institutional and retail investors alike.
The post Bitcoin ETFs see $505 million total inflows led by BlackRock as VanEck breaks record appeared first on CryptoSlate.
VanEck CEO says tokenization of real-world assets faces two major hurdles
Jan van Eck, CEO of the prominent global investment management firm VanEck, believes there are two major hurdles hindering the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs).
The CEO shared his insights on the matter during a recent interview with Raoul Pal. His remarks come in the wake of VanEck’s recent accomplishment of being among the 11 firms approved by the U.S. SEC to launch a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF).
The tokenization of real-world assets, such as real estate, art, or commodities, has the potential to revolutionize investment strategies by providing increased liquidity, transparency, and fractional ownership. However, the challenges outlined by van Eck are significant hurdles that need to be addressed.
Liquidity provision requires sophisticated market-making mechanisms, and the regulatory environment needs to evolve to provide clear guidelines and a supportive framework for these innovations.
The liquidity problem
According to van Eck, the first and primary barrier to tokenizing real-world assets is liquidity — specifically, answering the question of “who provides the liquidity?”
Tokenization, the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain, theoretically allows for any asset to be tokenized. However, van Eck said that the presence of a buyer and seller is not sufficient. He noted:
“Someone has to make a market in it [the tokenized RWA], and someone’s got to make money making a market in it, so it’s not just that [someone] can create a tokenized real-world asset of anything, it’s who’s providing the market structure around the liquidity.”
This highlights the need for a market maker, a role that requires not only pricing the asset but also profiting from the market-making process. This aspect brings forth the challenge of who would and could fulfill this role, especially for assets that are not as straightforward to price as major stock indices like the S&P 500.
Regulation
Meanwhile, the second main issue hindering the tokenization of RWAs is the regulatory landscape.
According to van Eck, there is no clear answer to the question of where to establish a market for tokenized assets without encountering significant regulatory challenges.
The CEO said the U.S. currently presents a complex regulatory environment for such ventures and is unlikely to become the primary jurisdiction for such markets until the landscape changes. He added that despite regulators beginning to warm to tokenization, the lack of clear regulations for the industry means progress will remain subdued.
On the other hand, van Eck said that Europe’s combination of a large retail market and a more accommodating regulatory framework for crypto investing and trading makes it a more viable candidate for these developments.
Europe’s regulatory approach to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has been more progressive compared to the U.S. The EU has been actively working on a comprehensive framework for crypto assets, known as Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), which aims to harmonize regulations across member states and foster innovation while ensuring investor protection.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs approval expected, start trading on Thursday: VanEck, Valkyrie execs
Speaking on CNBC’s ETF Edge on Jan. 9, VanEck’s CEO, Jan van Eck, said he expects the spot Bitcoin ETFs to start trading on Thursday, Jan. 11.
Additionally, Steven McClurg, the Chief Investment Officer for Valkyrie, one of the other applicants in the race, told Fortune this week that he also believes Thursday will be the launch day. He said
“We’re just in a slight holding pattern. I’m in the camp where I believe that sometime after the market closes on Wednesday, the ETFs will go effective, meaning they trade on Thursday.”
Cathie Wood from Ark Invest also told ETF Edge that the recent ETF application process was “unlike previous filings” as the SEC had asked questions of the would-be issuers instead of simply rejecting applications. She went on to say the process had been very “detailed” and “technical,” indicating that there had been much more disclosure and exploration than previous ETF attempts.
Lastly, Wood stated that,
“This told us they were getting ready. Now, can we be 100% sure there will be approval this week? No, you never say 100%, but we’re feeling really good about it.”
Following a spat of filings to the SEC on Jan. 8 and today, Jan. 9, all signs now appear to point toward approval this week. Bitcoin is up 14% since its Jan. 3 low, trading at just below $47,000 as of press time.
In a related update, Grayscale’s Chief Legal Officer posted to social media that he was “dotting some i’s and crossing some t’s.”
In response to fears that the applications could be denied at the eleventh hour, Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas commented.
“The idea that Gary would make his Staff work countless hours with 11(!) dif issuers on two dozen massive documents each well over 100 pages long full of technical jargon through the holidays just to give him cover to deny is tin foil hat stuff in my opinion. But look, we still have 5% chance of delay/denial.”
As more final S1 filings come through, Bitwise has dropped its fee to just 0.2%, making the race to the bottom closer than ever. Only Blackrcok has a comparative fee, but it is capping this rate at the first $5 billion into the fund. Even more astoundingly, Bitwise is waiving its fee entirely for the first $1 billion.
Update: Added Bitwise fee.
VanEck to donate 5% of ETF profits to Bitcoin core devs for 10 years
Investment firm VanEck declared that it would donate 5% of its potential profits from its proposed spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), contingent upon its approval, to support the Bitcoin core developers working at Brink, according to a Jan. 5 announcement.
Brink, established in 2020, plays a crucial role in the Bitcoin (BTC) network. It is dedicated to advancing the Bitcoin protocol through concentrated efforts in research and development.
The organization’s work is vital for the ongoing innovation and maintenance of Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure, a key aspect that has driven the cryptocurrency’s popularity and trust among investors and enthusiasts.
10-year commitment
VanEck’s initiative begins with an immediate $10,000 donation to Brink, underscoring a proactive approach toward supporting Bitcoin’s underlying technology. The pledge is a significant acknowledgment of the importance of open-source development in the cryptocurrency domain.
Open-source developers are often the unsung heroes of the crypto world, ensuring the network’s security, efficiency, and evolution without direct compensation from a centralized authority. VanEck’s funding can provide these developers with resources essential for their continued contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem.
The firm’s CEO, Jan van Eck, emphasized the company’s deep-seated commitment to Bitcoin, stating that VanEck is not just a passing participant but is deeply invested in the success and advancement of Bitcoin.
VanEck has pledged its support for at least the next ten years, indicating a strong belief in the future of Bitcoin and its technology.
The firm’s decision to share the profits from its ETF signals a growing trend of traditional financial entities recognizing and supporting the foundational technology of cryptocurrencies. Such initiatives could pave the way for more mainstream acceptance and integration of digital currencies in traditional investment portfolios.
ETF hype
The announcement comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market is experiencing dynamic changes and increased interest from traditional financial institutions amid expectations that the SEC is about to approve a spot Bitcoin ETF.
A spot Bitcoin ETF, unlike its futures-based counterparts, would be directly tied to the current price of Bitcoin, offering a different kind of exposure to the cryptocurrency. Its approval would create a new, regulated path for institutions to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the asset.
Industry experts and prominent ETF analysts believe the SEC is on the brink of approving multiple ETFs simultaneously in the week of Jan. 8.
The CEO of investment management firm VanEck says he can’t see a world where Bitcoin (BTC) is overtaken as the leading store of value on the internet.
“I think it’s impossible for me to imagine some other internet store of value [will] leapfrog Bitcoin,” Jan van Eck said in a Dec. 16 interview with CNBC.
“There’s 50 million users of Bitcoin, so it’s got network effects.”
The CEO — $76.4 billion in assets under management — also crushed accusations that Bitcoin is in a “bubble,” — explaining that no asset has ever been in a bubble that continues to outperform itself every market cycle. He added:
“Bitcoin is the obvious asset that is growing up in front of our eyes.”
Meanwhile, Van Eck expects Bitcoin to see all-time highs in the next 12 months.
VanEck CEO @JanvanEck3 expects Bitcoin all-time-high in the next 12 months. “It’s an asset that’s growing up in front of our eyes.” Also some good notes on the spot Bitcoin ETF effort and macro cycle. pic.twitter.com/02qZOVBPyx
— Gabor Gurbacs (@gaborgurbacs) December 16, 2023
The VanEck CEO said he and his late father, John van Eck — who founded the firm in 1955 — have store of value investing in their DNA and that he sees Bitcoin becoming an accompaniment to gold.
VanEck launched the first gold fund in the United States under John van Eck’s leadership in 1968.
VanEck is one of 13 applicants gunning for an approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund in the United States.
Related: VanEck files 5th amendment to spot Bitcoin ETF under ‘HODL’
The firm’s CEO expects all spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund applications to be approved on the same day.
ETF analysts predict the Securities and Exchange Commission will issue a decision on several pending spot Bitcoin ETF applicants sometime between Jan. 5–10, with BlackRock, Grayscale, Bitwise, WisdomTree, Invesco and Galaxy, Fidelity, Hashdex and others also waiting for a final decision by the SEC.
Magazine: BlackRock revises BTC ETF filing, El Salvador’s crypto citizenship trending, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Dec. 10-16
The crypto market is on the brink of a potentially game-changing shift, as investment management firm VanEck predicted. In a recent analysis, VanEck forecasts a substantial inflow of funds into Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), expecting more than $2.4 billion to be injected in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
This bullish prediction aligns with the anticipated launch of the first Bitcoin spot ETF in the US, which could positively change the crypto landscape.
Bitcoin Bullish Forecast
This forecast emerges against a backdrop where investors are increasingly gravitating towards ‘hard money’ assets, those which remain largely unaffected by the whims of US authorities, as indicated by VanEck
In this context, Bitcoin emerges as a particularly appealing option due to its “resilience” and limited correlation with conventional financial markets.
Despite the expected market volatility, VanEck’s analysts maintain strong confidence in Bitcoin’s market stance, projecting that its price will unlikely fall below the $30,000 mark in early 2024.
VanEck’s report delves further into Bitcoin’s future, highlighting the significance of the upcoming Bitcoin halving in April 2024. This event is anticipated to “proceed without a major fork or missed blocks” catalyzing a surge in Bitcoin’s value.
Unsurprisingly, the firm predicts that November 9, 2024, could witness Bitcoin attaining a new all-time high three years after its last peak.
VanEck added that such a milestone could even see Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, being named Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year,” particularly if Bitcoin reaches the $100,000 threshold.
VanEck 🤝 15 Crypto Predictions for 2024
Prediction #1. The US recession will finally arrive, but so will the first spot #Bitcoin ETFs. Over $2.4B may flow into these ETFs in Q1 2024 to support Bitcoin’s price.
— VanEck (@vaneck_us) December 7, 2023
Ethereum And Solana’s Rising Tide: VanEck’s Perspective On Altcoin Market Dynamics
In contrast to Bitcoin’s expected dominance, VanEck casts a different light on Ethereum’s future. The firm anticipates that while Ethereum will not surpass Bitcoin in market cap in 2024, it is likely to outperform every major tech stock.
However, Ethereum is projected to face challenges from other smart contract platforms like Solana, which present fewer uncertainties regarding scalability. VanEck’s analysis suggests that while Ethereum will show strong performance, it will lose market share to these emerging platforms.
The report also touches upon geopolitical implications for Bitcoin. Countries like Argentina are expected to follow El Salvador’s lead by sponsoring state-level Bitcoin mining and leveraging their energy resources.
This trend, combined with Bitcoin’s regulatory clarity and energy intensity, is predicted to draw attention from quasi-state entities in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.
According to VanEck’s insights, the post-halving period will see a market rally led by Bitcoin, with value eventually flowing into smaller tokens.
Lastly, VanEck casts a spotlight on Solana, predicting its rise to become a top-three blockchain by market cap, Total Value Locked (TVL), and active users. This ascent is anticipated to fuel Solana’s entry into the spot ETF wars, with a surge of filings expected from asset managers.
Featured image from Unsplash, Chart from TradingView
Global investment management firm VanEck‘s 2024 predictions for crypto suggest a transformative year ahead for the sector, highlighting pivotal events and trends set to redefine the digital asset landscape from economic fluctuations to groundbreaking technological advancements.
The forecasts are based on analysis beyond just the crypto sector, looking at economic trends, technological developments, and regulatory dynamics. From the anticipated U.S. recession’s intertwining with the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs, aiming to bolster Bitcoin’s resilience above $30,000, to the fourth Bitcoin halving poised to elevate its market value, these predictions spotlight pivotal moments in crypto’s journey.
Further, VanEck’s outlook predicts Ethereum to retain its position beneath Bitcoin’s market dominance while simultaneously outshining major tech stocks and facing competition from other smart contract platforms. The NFT market, which will be fueled by both Ethereum and Bitcoin in 2024, is expected to scale new heights, reshaping the landscape of digital collectibles. Meanwhile, the stablecoin realm, particularly with USDC, anticipates unprecedented growth.
The predictions also highlight the potential shift in exchange supremacy, with Binance’s leading spot trading position challenged by emergent rivals. Additionally, DEXs are projected to claim a significant slice of the spot trading market. A breakthrough is anticipated for blockchain-based gaming, with a game surpassing one million daily active users, marking a milestone in mainstream acceptance.
Robbie Ferguson, Co-Founder and President of Immutable, told CryptoSlate,
“Recognition from VanEck, one of the world’s top 10 ETF issuers, is exceptional validation of the work we’ve been doing for web3 games since we built the first decentralized game on any blockchain in 2017[…] This endorsement further validates our platform strategy, and relentless focus on an exceptional end player experience.”
Furthermore, Solana’s ascent to a top-three blockchain position, along with the rise of DePi networks like Hivemapper and Helium, anticipates broad diversification within the blockchain ecosystem.
Finally, a pivotal area highlighted by VanEck is the integration of Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols in decentralized finance (DeFi), expected to usher in a new era of institutional participation. This, along with new corporate accounting treatments for crypto holdings, signals a shift towards mainstream and institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.
VanEck predicts spot Bitcoin ETF will be approved in Q1.
In 2024, VanEck predicts the U.S. economy to enter a recession amidst slowing economic momentum and cooling inflation. This downturn, marked by 19 months of consecutive decline in leading indicators, weak commodity markets, and increasing corporate bankruptcies, sets a challenging backdrop. Yet, in this economic landscape, the debut of the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs will be approved in Q1.
VanEck forecasts that these ETFs will attract substantial investment, drawing a parallel with the early success of the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) ETF launched in 2004. The GLD ETF experienced rapid inflows, capturing a notable fraction of the gold market within its first quarter. Applying these metrics to Bitcoin, adjusted for the current era’s higher money supply, the prediction is a striking initial influx of around $1B, potentially reaching $2.4B within a quarter for Bitcoin ETFs.
This significant capital flow into Bitcoin ETFs reflects a deeper shift in the financial landscape. With the U.S. Federal Reserve’s M2 money supply considerably higher than during the GLD launch, the potential for Bitcoin ETF inflows is magnified, leading to an estimated $40.4B over the first two years. This surge is partly driven by a predicted preference for Bitcoin as a form of ‘hard money’ amidst concerns over sovereign debt levels and inflation, positioning it as an alternative to gold among investors.
Furthermore, the expected lower transaction costs of these ETFs, compared to current retail trading fees, suggest a potential for broader market adoption. Such cost efficiencies historically have catalyzed the widespread acceptance of new technologies and could similarly propel Bitcoin ETFs into the financial mainstream. Despite the looming recession and potential market volatility, these developments indicate a robust demand for Bitcoin, potentially sustaining its price above $30k in the early phase of 2024.
Impact of the Bitcoin halving and new Bitcoin ATH.
VanEck predicts that the fourth Bitcoin halving event, scheduled for April, will unfold smoothly without major disruptions. This halving is likely to lead to the disconnection of unprofitable miners, shifting the landscape towards those with more efficient, low-cost power solutions. Despite the initial adjustment period, where the market might experience some consolidation, Bitcoin’s value is projected to rise. VanEck predicts that following the halving, Bitcoin’s price could surpass the $48k mark, aligning with the technical pattern observed in April 2022. This uptrend is expected despite some miners potentially underperforming compared to Bitcoin’s price, with low-cost miners like CLSK and RIOT predicted to outshine others. The post-halving period might also see significant growth for at least one publicly traded miner.
The second half of 2024 could bring even more dramatic developments for Bitcoin. Amid a backdrop of global political shifts and an increase in global voting participation, Bitcoin is anticipated to scale new heights. This period of heightened political activity and potential changes in regulatory landscapes, particularly following a significant U.S. presidential election, sets the stage for Bitcoin to potentially achieve an all-time high. VanEck speculates that by Nov. 2024, Bitcoin could hit a new peak in value, potentially reaching $100k by the year’s end. This scenario, marked by a departure from certain regulatory stances, could lead to a landmark moment for Bitcoin and its perception in the global financial system.
The Flippening won’t happen, but DeFi will rise.
Ethereum is set to make significant strides but will not surpass Bitcoin in market dominance. Ethereum’s performance is expected to outshine even the largest tech stocks, but it will not achieve the long-speculated “flippening” to overtake Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s clearer regulatory status and its appeal due to its energy-intensive mining process are anticipated to draw increased interest from state-backed entities in regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Notably, Argentina might join the ranks of countries like El Salvador and the UAE in state-level Bitcoin mining support, focusing on utilizing stranded methane and gas resources.
Simultaneously, Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions are poised for substantial growth following the implementation of EIP-4844, which promises to enhance scalability and reduce transaction fees. This upgrade is expected to catalyze a consolidation within the Ethereum network, with two to three Layer 2 chains emerging as dominant players. These leading chains could potentially surpass Ethereum in monthly decentralized exchange (DEX) volume and total value locked (TVL). This shift is likely due to the reduced transaction costs enabling more efficient trading and arbitrage opportunities. By the fourth quarter of 2024, these Ethereum Layer 2 chains collectively might double Ethereum’s current DEX volume and exponentially increase transaction numbers, signaling a significant evolution in Ethereum’s ecosystem.
In total, VanEck made 15 predictions for crypto in 2024, listed below:
- U.S. Recession Arrival and Debut of Spot Bitcoin ETFs
- Uneventful Fourth Bitcoin Halving
- Bitcoin’s All-Time High in Q4 of 2024
- Ethereum’s Market Position Behind Bitcoin in 2024
- Dominance of ETH Layer 2s Post-EIP-4844
- NFT Activity Peaks to New Heights
- Binance Relinquishes Top Position in Spot Trading
- Stablecoin Market Cap Hits Record High with USDC Market Share Recovery
- Decentralized Exchanges Attain Record Spot Trading Market Share
- Bitcoin Yield Opportunities Driven by Remittances and Smart Contract Platforms
- Emergence of a Leading Blockchain Game
- Solana Outperforms Ethereum with Resurging DeFi TVL
- Meaningful Adoption of DePin Networks
- Corporate Crypto Holdings Boosted by New Accounting Standards
- DeFi’s Reconciliation with KYC Regulations
The full report from VanEck is available on the firm’s website.
13.15 GMT: Updated to include comment from Immutable.
SOL, the native token of the Solana blockchain, has been one of the biggest winners in the crypto market lately, delivering another positive price performance over the past week. This impressive price action reflects the increased interest in the altcoin and the recent shift in the climate of the general crypto market.
Interestingly, asset management firm VanEck is amongst the latest entities showing interest in the Solana token and the altcoin’s prospects.
VanEck Predicts Potential 10,000% Rally For Solana
In a report published on Friday, October 27, prominent asset management company VanEck created different valuation scenarios for the SOL token. This price projection revolved around the current capability and potential of the Solana blockchain.
Our Solana Valuation by 2030: Base, Bear, Bull Case piece dropped in time for @SolanaConf. 🔗
— VanEck (@vaneck_us) October 27, 2023
In a base case, VanEck believes that Solana can hold a 30% share in the smart contract market, a significant increase from the network’s current market share. Using this valuation framework, the asset manager projects SOL price to reach $335 by 2030.
Comparatively, Ethereum can achieve a 70% market share of value transmitted across open-source blockchains, according to the report. This projection makes $11,800 a possible destination for ETH’s price by 2030.
Nevertheless, VanEck presented a bull case for SOL in its analysis, putting forward a $3,211 price target for the altcoin in the best possible scenario. The asset management firm said:
Were Solana to avoid Ethereum’s event horizon and achieve Ethereum-like dominance, our bull case reveals $51.8B in revenues and a $3,211 price target in 2030.
It would take the Solana token a massive 10,000% price rally to reach $3,211 from the current price point. Now, it is worth mentioning that there was also a pessimistic scenario for SOL in the VanEck report, with the token projected to trade below $10 in a bearish case.
VanEck, one of the world’s largest asset management firms, has been an active participant in the cryptocurrency space over the past few years. The financial behemoth is one of the few companies looking to launch a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund in the United States.
SOL Price Overview
As earlier inferred, Solana has been on an upward trajectory over the past few weeks. Since initial concerns of a significant sell-off by FTX have subsided and the general market sentiment has improved, the altcoin’s price performance has been positive.
As of this writing, the SOL token is valued at $32.19, reflecting a 2% in the last 24 hours. However, the cryptocurrency has maintained most of its recent profits on the weekly timeframe, with a 14% price jump in the past seven days.
Solana price continues ascent on the daily timeframe | Source: SOLUSDT chart on TradingView
Featured image from Dreamstime/Aivaras Sakurovas, chart from TradingView
Investment manager VanEck has fired up the marketing engine for its “upcoming” Ether (ETH) futures exchange-traded fund (ETF), which some analysts expect could be launched as early as Oct. 2.
On Sept. 28, VanEck released the two “Enter the Ether”-themed TV commercials, revealing that its Ethereum Strategy ETF — tickered EFUT — is “coming soon.”
AI, AI, Uh Oh! Follow for updates on how to Enter the Ether. pic.twitter.com/wM69nVtbWC
— VanEck (@vaneck_us) September 28, 2023
The commercials came on the same day VanEck published a press statement about its upcoming EFUT, stating it will be listed on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and be managed by Greg Krenzer, head of active trading at VanEck.
Bloomberg ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart believe the TV ads could hint that Ether futures ETFs are “happening sooner than expected.”
Seyffart expects VanEck’s new ETF to launch on Monday despite a Sept. 29 document stating it won’t take effect for another 60 days. “Our understanding is that the SEC is accelerating approvals for these things,” he said.
Quick correction: they actually won’t be effective until Friday. Still, same result: Monday launch.
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) September 28, 2023
Enter the Ether
The first of VanEck’s “Enter the Ether” advertisements is a rather short and quirky 15-second video featuring five actors looking at the camera with a deadpan expression and strange alien-sounding music in the background.
“Ethereum. Now in an ETF form. Coming soon,” says an actor.
“Oh, and hodl or fork off,” says another actor, before the “Enter the Ether” message appears and the ad ends.
The second ad appears more straightforward, with a 30-second spot suggesting that a “shift” is coming soon and that Ethereum’s gravitational pull “will draw everyone in.”
When you’re ready, ENTER THE ETHER. The VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF ($EFUT) is coming soon. Read our press release: pic.twitter.com/vSF3HzMuvC
— VanEck (@vaneck_us) September 28, 2023
Balchunas expects more marketing efforts from ETF issuers as ETFs get approved, particularly when spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs get the greenlight.
“It will be a marketing war like we’ve never seen since they all do same thing and launch on same day. Unprecedented.”
Related: SEC delays spot Bitcoin ETF decision for BlackRock, Invesco and Bitwise
Meanwhile, financial services firm Valkyrie told Cointelegraph that it will also soon begin offering exposure to Ether through its existing Bitcoin Strategy ETF, making it one of the first firms to do so amid several pending applications with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
On Sept. 28, Seyffart said in an X post that it was “looking like the SEC is gonna let a bunch of Ethereum futures ETFs go next week potentially,” spurred by a potentially imminent U.S. government shutdown.
There are 15 Ether futures ETFs from nine issuers vying to launch.
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