Bitcoin Spot ETF Application Timeline
Bitcoin ETF applications.
In 2013, the Winklevoss brothers submitted an S-1 document to the SEC, formally indicating their intention to launch an ETF linked to Bitcoin. In 2018, they submitted another application, but both applications were rejected by the SEC.
In August 2018, the asset management company VanEck submitted a Bitcoin Spot ETF application, withdrew it in September and then resubmitted applications in March 2021 and June 2022, all of which were rejected by the SEC.
In April 2021, the asset management company Valkyrie Investments submitted a Bitcoin Spot ETF application, which was rejected by the SEC in December.
In May 2021, Fidelity submitted a Bitcoin Spot ETF application, which was rejected by the SEC in February 2022.
In June 2021, ARK Invest collaborated with the Swiss ETF provider 21Shares to submit an application for the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF. This application was rejected by the SEC in April 2022. They submitted it again in May of the same year, but it was once more rejected in January 2023.
In July 2021, New York fund management company Global X submitted an application which was rejected by the SEC in March 2022.
In October 2021, Bitwise submitted its first Bitcoin Spot ETF application. It was rejected by the SEC in June 2022.
On October 19, 2021, the U.S. approved the first Bitcoin futures ETF.
Grayscale simultaneously applied to convert GBTC to a Bitcoin Spot ETF. The application was rejected by the SEC in June 2022, citing insufficient efforts by the company to prevent potential fraud. Grayscale took the SEC to court and won in August 2023.
In December 2021, WisdomTree submitted a Bitcoin Spot ETF application, which was rejected in October 2022.
In April 2023, ARK Invest and 21Shares submitted their third Bitcoin Spot ETF application.
In June 2023, BlackRock, Valkyrie submitted Bitcoin Spot ETF applications.
From July to August 2023, WisdomTree, VanEck, Fidelity/Wise Origin, Bitwise, Global X submitted applications to the SEC once again.
