SEC ChairmanJay Claytonsays the agency is inching closer to finally approving a bitcoin ETF. However, he warns that more work needs to be done to deter price manipulation and ensure a transparent market.
Clayton made the assertions during a CNBC interview with Bob Pisani (video below). Pisani asked if we’re any closer to seeing a bitcoin ETF soon.
Clayton responded by saying, “Yes. But there’s work left to be done.”
Are we any closer to seeing a Bitcoin ETF some day? SEC Chairman Jay Clayton to@ CNBC: “yes, but there’s work left to be done”@ SEC_News@ bobpisani@ kellycnbc@ CNBCTheExchange# bitcoin# cryptopic.twitter.com/iJP3nn9XHc
— The Exchange (@CNBCTheExchange)September 9, 2019
SEC Fears ‘Significant’ Bitcoin Price Manipulation
Specifically, Jay Clayton says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants more information about custody as well as assurances againstprice manipulation.
“How do we know that we can custody and have a hold of these crypto assets?” Clayton said. “That’s a key question. An even harder question – given that they trade on largely unregulated exchanges is – ‘How can we be sure that those prices aren’t subject to significant manipulation?”
The SEC chairman admits that progress has been made on those fronts. However, he warns that “people needed to answer those hard questions for us to be comfortable that this was the appropriate type of product.”
‘Crypto Mom’: SEC Should’ve Approved Bitcoin ETF
In August, the SECagain delayedmaking a final decision on three bitcoin ETF applications. While a delay is better than an outright rejection, the move frustrated many in the crypto industry.
Meanwhile, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce says theagency should’ve approveda bitcoin ETF already. In June, Peirce blasted the agency for being an out-of-touch dinosaur.
Peirce has repeatedly torched the SEC for its glacial approach toward approving a bitcoin ETF. She says the agency’s timidity puts it in the position of being a babysitter for investors.
Lame ‘Old’ SEC Should’ve Approved a Bitcoin ETF Already, Scolds Crypto Momhttps: //t.co/sYBeYIKVrd
— CCN Markets (@CCNMarkets) (June) , 2019
Peirce Scolds SEC: Stop Being Lame Dinosaurs
Moreover, Peirce noted that the SEC) has been very closed-minded when it comes to embracing innovation. “The agency is old and has not historically been great with innovation,” she quipped.
Hester Peirce is one of five SEC commissioners. They each have differing views on crypto. Peirce was affectionately nicknamed “Crypto Mom” because of her pro-crypto positions.
In July 2018, Peirce was the only SEC commissioner who voted to approve the bitcoin ETF application submitted by theWinklevoss twins, Tyler and Cameron.
The rejections – in March 2017 and again in June 2018 – cited the twins’ failure to demonstrate how their bitcoin ETF could prevent market manipulation.
Van Eck: Bitcoin ETF could fortify US economy
Gabor Gurbacs, of investment management firm VanEck, says the SEC should approve a bitcoin ETF soon because it could bea major driver of the US economyfor the next decade.
“We are waiting finally for regulators to approve a bitcoin ETF, which would bring digital assets under the regulated American capital market, “Gurbacs said. “This could be, for the next decade, the driver of our economy.”
Gurbacs says the United States should harness these technologies to upgrade its payments systems and capital markets infrastructure. He contends that doing this would make America the world leader in the budding digital economy.
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