DTCC: Listing of planned BlackRock bitcoin ETF ‘not indicative’ of approval

The listing of BlackRock’s proposed bitcoin ETF on the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation website appeared to fuel more optimism that approval of such funds is imminent.

But the inclusion of ETFs that have not yet gained regulatory approval is nothing out of the ordinary, according to DTCC, which processes trillions of dollars in securities transactions daily. 

Bloomberg Intelligence analysts, and others, pointed out in X posts Monday the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBTC) — first proposed to the Securities and Exchange Commission in June — was on the DTCC list. This spurred speculation from some that the planned fund’s launch was imminent.

But it is “standard practice” for DTCC to add securities to its “eligibility file” in preparation for new potential ETF launches, a spokesperson for the financial market infrastructure giant told Blockworks late Tuesday.

The names in the file — kept by DTCC subsidiary National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) — include active and potential ETF securities. The proposed BlackRock offering was first added to the list in August, according to DTCC. 

“Appearing on the list is simply an indication that an agent bank has requested a DTCC identifier for an ETF fund, and that DTCC may process that transaction at an undetermined date in the future following SEC approval,” the DTCC representative said in an email.

The proposed fund’s inclusion on the list is “not indicative of an outcome for any outstanding regulatory or other approval processes in respect of a particular ETF fund,” they added.

IBTC disappeared from the list briefly Tuesday before showing up again later on — a change the DTCC spokesperson declined to comment on.

BlackRock has declined to comment on the listing. 

The SEC has never permitted a spot bitcoin ETF to begin trading, blocking attempts from issuers that span back a decade. 

Bitcoin was above $34,000 Wednesday morning — up roughly 20% from a week ago — amid optimism that bitcoin ETFs could start trading in the coming months.  

Read more: Another would-be bitcoin ETF player: ‘It’s going to get approved’

Fund issuers in recent weeks have been updating bitcoin ETF applications, which industry watchers say signals ongoing dialogue with the SEC.

Grayscale Investments said Monday the firm intends “to move as expeditiously as possible” to convert its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to an ETF after the court formalized its legal victory over the SEC that day.

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