Asset management firm Bitwise has filed an S-1 filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list and trade spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETF) shares.

In a filing with the SEC on July 3, Bitwise amended its Form S-1 registration statement ahead of schedule to include a six-month fee waiver of up to $500 million. The filing did not include a specific start date for listing and trading on NYSE Arca, but noted that the effective date of registration will be "as soon as practicable."

Bitwise filed an amended S-1 before the July 8 deadline, suggesting it could begin trading after the Independence Day holiday, according to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas. Balchunas said the SEC gave final approvals to spot Ether ETFs at a “sweet time,” but “there are still launch indications for this month.”

Bitcoin or Ether?

Since the Spot Ether ETF 19b-4 filings were approved by eight asset managers — including Bitwise — on May 23, crypto-focused investors have been eyeing the SEC for a potential publication date. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing in June that the commission could approve the S-1s "sometime this summer," but did not give a specific date.

Relative to Ether-linked investment vehicles, the SEC approved 194-b filings for spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs and active S-1 prospectuses in January. Bitwise filed its S-1 with the SEC in March for shares of a spot Ether ETF, amid speculation the regulator was considering labeling ETH as a security — June court filings suggest the commission later dropped the matter.

Which one do you think will be a better investment: Bitcoin or Ether? Share your comments with us.