Three new crypto ETFs to begin trading in Australia this week

May 10, 2022 Coin Telegraph

21shares

Australians will soon have five options for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds as the delayed funds from Cosmos and 21Shares launch this week along with 3iQ’s in the future.

Australians will soon have more options for spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) after a previous hold-up was given the green light this week and new funds entered the ETF market.

The latest update came late on May 9 as Cboe Australia issued a round of market notices that three funds previously delayed are expected to begin trading on Thursday, May 12. They include a Bitcoin ETF from Cosmos Asset Management, plus Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) spot ETFs from 21Shares.

Cboe Australia and Cosmos did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson from 21Shares confirmed to Cointelegraph:

“We're listing on May 12, this Thursday. The downstream issues are resolved.”

On April 26, a day before three of the first crypto ETFs were set to launch, the Cboe Australia exchange delayed the listing of all three funds due to what it said were “standard checks”.

21Shares said to Cointelegraph at the time that a "service provider downstream” needed more time to support the launch of the products which was believed to be a prime broker or other major financial institution.

The listing date comes just in time as a new competitor stepped into the ETF race. 3iQ, the Canadian firm with Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), submitted two offer notices to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on April 28.

The notices revealed plans for the firm to offer units of its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs on the Cboe Australia exchange. It will provide exposure to the crypto assets by purchasing units of the existing funds on the TSX similar to Cosmos’ ETF which purchases the Canadian Purpose Bitcoin ETF.

It’s unclear when the funds from 3iQ will be listed but with the announcement of the Cosmos and 21Shares funds listing this week, it’s unlikely 3iQ will win the competition of being the first Australian crypto ETF, the prize of which it’s believed could be over $1 billion in inflows.

World’s Largest Asset Manager BlackRock Launches New Crypto-Focused Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)

April 28, 2022 The Daily Hodl

Failure to launch: Australia’s first 3 crypto ETFs all miss launch day

April 27, 2022 Coin Telegraph

21shares

Three cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) scheduled to launch on the Cboe Australia exchange today were delayed due to “checks” still being undertaken.

The launch of Australia’s first three Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETF) scheduled for today, has been delayed as a result of further “checks” needing to be completed.

The exchange listing the Bitcoin Spot ETF from Cosmos Asset Management, Cboe Australia, released a statement late Tuesday stating that “standard checks prior to the commencement of trading are still being completed” and a “further update will be provided in the coming days.”

Cboe issued the same notice regarding two spot ETFs issued by 21Shares also scheduled for launch today, a Bitcoin ETF and an Ethereum ETF.

It’s unclear why the products are delayed with the Australian Financial Review reporting that a “service provider downstream” — an entity such as a prime broker or major institution with the power to delay listings until it's ready to support the trade of the products — could be to blame for the hold up.

The underlying asset for the Cosmos ETF is a direct investment into the Canadian Purpose Bitcoin ETF, North America’s first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The funds issued by 21Shares are backed by Bitcoin and Ethereum reserves held in cold storage by Coinbase.

Toby Chapple, Head of Trading at Australian wealth management firm Zerocap, told Cointelegraph the delay was “not a big deal.” Referring to the Cosmos Bitcoin ETF he added:

“You would think an ETF which invests in another ETF would be easier to handle, but the broker will just be ensuring they have all their ducks lined up before they go live.”

Cici Lu, Managing Partner at crypto asset investment and wealth management firm Apollo Capital also said that it seemed like just a small bump in a long road for the funds:

“While this isn't an ideal start for the ETF's, it will be looked at as only a minor speed bump in an otherwise successful result for the crypto asset industry in Australia.”

He added: “The traditional finance sector is trying to get its head around how to adapt their businesses to a new asset class, it is a journey both crypto and TradFi are on together. ”

Cointelegraph contacted Cboe Australia, Cosmos and 21Shares for more information regarding the delays but did not immediately hear back.

Cosmos Asset Management’s “Cosmos Purpose Bitcoin Access ETF” received approval from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on April 19 to begin trading following a seven-day notice period and was expected to attract around $1 billion after its launch.

The two ETFs issued by 21Shares received approval around the same time, aligning all three funds with the same launch date.

21Shares isn’t a stranger to hold ups with its crypto ETF products Earlier in April the United Stated Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected its Bitcoin ETF which was to list on the US Cboe BZX Exchange saying the exchange didn’t meet requirements for listing a financial product.

exchange traded fund