Two issuers withdraw SEC submissions for an ETH ETF

Two issuers have withdrawn their submissions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create an Ether-based exchange-traded fund (ETF). 

VanEck withdrew its submission for its Ethereum Strategy ETF today after beginning the approval process last May. At the time, it sought to create an investment vehicle giving investors exposure to ETH, priced via the MVIS CryptoCompare Ethereum Benchmark Rate. An accurate pricing mechanism has been a sticking point for the SEC throughout the conversation surrounding the approval of crypto exchange-traded products.

ProShares also called off its bid for approval of its ProShares Ether Strategy ETF. It first filed for the product on Wednesday.

The two submissions for approval followed a wave of ETH ETF approvals in neighboring Canada, which has historically been a proving ground for novel financial products before a green light in the U.S. 

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The sudden withdrawals of the submissions have led some to speculate that the SEC has communicated its reluctance to approve an ETH ETF in the current climate.

"SEC may have had a conference call, Godfather-style. Ether, you're out," tweeted Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg.

More broadly, the securities regulator has continued to punt on the question of a bitcoin ETF. However, Chair Gary Gensler recently said he intends to take a closer look at submissions for the product with the commission likely to look more favorably on those tied to futures contracts.

ProShares proposed a bitcoin futures ETF earlier this month. Meanwhile, VanEck is still awaiting an answer from the SEC on its bitcoin ETF proposal. The SEC has extended on the offering is seeking additional comments on the submission.

About Author

Aislinn Keely is a reporter on The Block's policy team holding down the legal beat. She covers court decisions, bankruptcies, regulatory actions and other key moments in the legal sphere, putting them in context for the wider crypto industry. Before The Block, she lent her voice to the NPR affiliate WFUV and helmed Fordham University's student newspaper. Send tips or thoughts on all things policy and legal to [email protected] or follow her on Twitter for updates @AislinnKeely.