Expert Market Analysts Agree A Spot Bitcoin ETF Is A Matter Of When, Not If

The crypto community has been kept at the edge of its seat as the SEC decided to postpone a decision on the 7 Spot Bitcoin ETFs filed over the last few months. During such a pensive time, market analysts have predicted the SEC authorizing a Spot Bitcoin ETF while the former SEC Chairman foresees a losing battle for the regulator. 

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Grayscale, an American digital currency investing and crypto asset management company have been embroiled in a legal battle since June 2022. 

The SEC had previously rejected Grayscale’s request to convert its GBTC vehicle to an ETF. The digital currency investment company had responded to the rejection with a lawsuit, suing the SEC and filing a petition for a review by the United States Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit. 

The legal proceedings have not been favorable with the SEC, and analysts led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou from JP Morgan, a New York-based universal bank have predicted the eventual acceptance of Bitcoin ETF applications by the SEC. 

The prediction is also largely supported by Grayscale’s victory against the SEC in a recent court ruling that classified the SEC’s denial of Bitcoin ETF applications as unreasonable and without substance, mandating the SEC to reevaluate its decision to deny Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETF application.

While the SEC deliberates on its next move, the regulator has announced that it requires more time to decide on Bitcoin ETF propositions from several companies including WisdomTree and Blackrock. The regulator has also requested a postponement until mid-October. 

The JPMorgan analysts believe that the SEC’s delay is a positive sign that Bitcoin ETFs will be approved soon. The analysts have also stated that the SEC would find it difficult to justify their rejection of Bitcoin ETF approval after accepting a previous proposal for future-based Bitcoin ETFs.

The situation places the SEC in a precarious predicament and consequently, JP Morgan analysts have concluded that the SEC is likely to be compelled to approve the pending Bitcoin ETF applications from Grayscale and various asset management companies. 

A prominent X (formerly Twitter) influencer, Collin Brown released a post on Monday, 4th September revealing that the former Chairman of the US SEC, Jay Clayton sees an undisputed win for Grayscale in the Bitcoin ETF case. 

Brown stated that Clayton foresaw the “inevitable” acceptance of Bitcoin ETF proposals by the SEC and the post highlighted the time the SEC may conclude their decision on Bitcoin ETF applications, ultimately ending the legal feud between the SEC and Grayscale.

“Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton predicts the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF is inevitable! The SEC might make the announcement in mid-October, or it could take a bit longer, but progress is on the horizon for crypto enthusiasts,” the post read. 

However, the X account was later suspended following the announcement. 

In contrast, an ex-SEC Attorney, John Reed Stark declared in an X post that the chances of the SEC approving Bitcoin ETFs are implausible and crypto enthusiasts should not expect any other outcome.

While the crypto community is cheering and hoping for Grayscale’s complete victory over the SEC, investors are preparing for a possible Bitcoin price surge that may follow the SEC’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs.