BlackRock Expands Presence in the Middle East
BlackRock has secured a licence to expand its focus on AI and further solidifying its presence in the UAE's crypto-supportive ecosystem.
Monochrome Asset Management, an Australian cryptocurrency investment firm has revised its application for a spot Bitcoin ETF on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The Bitcoin ETF would operate with its partner Vasco Trustees and would offer Australian investors exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum without directly buying cryptocurrency.
The firm announced the news of the application, noting that the Australian market would benefit from Bitcoin ETFs as it would offer investors more direct exposure with less risk:
“ASIC’s implementation of an Australian market framework for crypto-asset exchange-traded products is beneficial for product providers and investors by establishing a clear pathway and regulatory requirements for market participants offering financial products with direct exposure to crypto-assets. Meeting these requirements may enhance Australian investors’ confidence when considering exposure to this emerging asset class.”
Australia 🇦🇺 joins the #Bitcoin race.#spot #bitcoinetf @MonochromeAsset https://t.co/hqXb9RY5HL pic.twitter.com/KEEXHQ9Eo6
— Jeff (@jeffyew_) July 13, 2023
Australian Bitcoin ETF
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission issued guidelines in 2021 for the launch of Bitcoin ETFs. The guidelines address market security, transparency, and pricing to protect Australian investors. In May 2022, the first Bitcoin spot ETF was launched which stood as a major milestone for Australian cryptocurrency investors.
Bitcoin ETFs in the US market
On the other side of the world, the United States market has seen many applications come in for companies looking to launch an ETF to the crypto market. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has rejected applications from firms including Valkyrie and BlackRock to launch the first spot Bitcoin ETF.
Currently, the market is buzzing with a fresh wave of applications that have come in. Just last month, five applications were made to the SEC from Blackrock, Fidelity, Invesco, Wisdom Tree and Valkyrie, sparking the race to be the first firm to launch a spot ETF. It remains to be seen whether the SEC will approve a long-awaited spot ETF in the country.