“Ethereum founder Vitalik after approval of ETFs”

The vote to approve spot Ether ETFs by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is close, and there is a mix of expectations and uncertainty about the outcome. The decision-making process will involve the participation of five commissioners, including Gary Gensler, the president of the SEC, whose vote could be decisive, as it was in the approval of spot BTC ETFs in January 2024.

Among the commissioners, Hester Peirce, known as "Mother Crypto", is in favor of digital assets and has previously criticized the SEC's approach to regulating cryptocurrencies. While she has not publicly stated how she will vote, her participation in Ethereum community events suggests a supportive stance. On the other hand, Caroline Crenshaw is critical of the cryptocurrency industry and voted against spot BTC ETFs, citing concerns about fraud and market manipulation. His tough stance indicates a likely rejection of Ether ETFs.

Mark Uyeda, another commissioner, also criticized the SEC's approach but voted in favor of spot BTC ETFs, albeit with caveats. His position on Ether ETFs remains unclear, but it is possible that he will follow his previous line of reasoning. Jaime Lizárraga, who also voted against spot BTC ETFs, believes that many cryptocurrencies operate illegally under US securities laws. His view does not appear to have changed, which indicates a likely rejection of Ether ETFs.

It is speculated that Gary Gensler, despite having voted in favor of spot BTC ETFs, was pressured by the court ruling in favor of Grayscale. His vote is uncertain, especially with the ongoing investigation into Ether's status as a security. Gensler will likely be the casting vote for the approval of Ether ETFs.

Coinbase believes approval of spot Ether ETFs is a matter of time, even with the SEC's apparent reluctance to discuss the matter.