Bitcoin's Major Players Enter the Arena Amid Regulatory Changes
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The Rise of Bitcoin Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
The U.S. government, particularly the SEC, has intensified efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency market. This crackdown targets crypto exchanges, altcoin traders, and various emerging crypto businesses, primarily due to concerns over unregistered securities.
Coinbase, Binance, Gemini, and Kraken have faced fines and sanctions from U.S. authorities. Specifically, Coinbase, the largest exchange in the U.S., is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by the SEC, alongside Gemini, which was established by the Winklevoss twins. Kraken has opted to pay a $30 million fine and discontinue its U.S. staking program.
The SEC has also accused Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, of operating a “web of deception,” citing 13 violations, including breaches of the U.S. Securities Act and functioning as an unregistered exchange. Interestingly, Bitcoin has not been implicated in any SEC allegations, as the agency continues to classify it as a decentralized commodity, distinguishing it from the majority of altcoins.
As regulatory actions unfolded, major players in traditional finance began to make their move into the Bitcoin market. BlackRock has filed for approval from the SEC for a new Bitcoin ETF that would allow daily transactions, marking a significant enhancement over existing futures ETFs and trusts. Additionally, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Citadel Securities have established an exchange named “EDX,” which will facilitate trading in four cryptocurrency assets, including Bitcoin.
Deutsche Bank, managing $1.4 trillion in assets, has also sought a digital asset license in Germany, aiming to gradually roll out a digital asset custody platform that will provide a variety of services, including secure storage and trading facilitation through prime brokers.
With BlackRock managing around $10 trillion in assets, and Fidelity overseeing $4.3 trillion, their entry into the Bitcoin market is undeniably impactful.
Bitcoin's Value Increases with Institutional Interest
On a recent Saturday, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $26,700. By Wednesday, its value surged to $30,600, reflecting a remarkable 14% increase in just a few days. BlackRock submitted its SEC application on June 15, and news of this move sparked increased buying activity, indicating that major players were poised to enter the Bitcoin space.
Speculation arises that the regulatory actions against smaller crypto exchanges might have been a strategic move to allow Wall Street firms to gain a foothold in the market. Although I typically avoid conspiracy theories, the timing of these developments raises questions.
There is a growing belief that these major institutions wouldn't be applying for ETFs now unless they were confident in the SEC's approval, especially given the 22 previous applications for a spot Bitcoin ETF that had been denied. With ongoing sanctions and fines against crypto exchanges, it seems as though these firms had prior knowledge of favorable regulatory outcomes.
Scott Melker remarked, “Since the FTX collapse, I’ve predicted that Wall Street would make significant moves into this space, and now BlackRock has filed for a Bitcoin ETF...”
Leyton expressed a bullish sentiment on Twitter, stating, “Bitcoin is bullish. Everything has changed. Regardless of your views on Wall Street's entry, it should positively impact Bitcoin's price.”
Preston Pysh shared a critical perspective, stating, “After witnessing major firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, Citadel, Schwab, and Deutsche Bank apply for Bitcoin ETFs shortly after the SEC's actions against Binance and Coinbase, one has to wonder if this entire year has been orchestrated.”
Such sentiments certainly provoke thought...
Quote of the Week
Reflecting on the past: “Today, we are having a FUNERAL for bitcoin.” — Melissa Lee, CNBC, five years ago.
Bitcoin's Dominance in the Market Grows
Bitcoin's dominance within the cryptocurrency market cap has risen from 42% at the start of 2023 to over 51% today. With the SEC labeling most other cryptocurrencies as securities, Bitcoin is positioned to be the asset traded on major exchanges.
As of Wednesday evening, Bitcoin's market cap exceeds $585 billion, demonstrating the significant investment in this digital asset.
With the entry of these traditional finance powerhouses, the landscape is shifting dramatically.
Thank you for reading. Feel free to share this newsletter with future coin enthusiasts.
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