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Will Evergrande’s collapse have a silver lining for crypto?

This week, The Market Report discusses Grayscale’s victory against the SEC, the impact of Evergrande’s bankruptcy, and what happened to the 16 trillion PEPE tokens reportedly stolen.

On the latest episode of The Market Report, Cointelegraph analyst Marcel Pechman delves into Grayscale’s victory against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Even though there’s still no decision regarding the firm’s application for a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund, the decision was favorable for Grayscale and its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, which has over $16 billion in assets under management.

Next, Pechman discusses the impact of Chinese real estate giant Evergrande’s bankruptcy and questions why it took almost two years to announce the company’s inability to repay its debt. According to The Kobeissi Letter, it seems related to China’s recent unexpected cut in interest rates.

Pechman reminds viewers that China recently announced several measures to stimulate the stock market. Ultimately, he agrees that an eventual collapse of the Chinese markets would be negative for risk-on assets, including stocks, cryptocurrencies and commodities.

Still, Pechman argues that in a separate movement, maybe one to 10 months later, there could be a shift toward Bitcoin as investors realize they’re being diluted by the government’s inability to sustain itself without injecting liquidity, which could benefit cryptocurrencies.

Lastly, Pechman explains what happened to the 16 trillion Pepecoin (PEPE) tokens reportedly stolen and gives advice on how to avoid getting rug-pulled on altcoins. For further insights into all of these matters, tune in to the latest episode of The Market Report, exclusively available on the newly launched Cointelegraph Markets & Research YouTube channel.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

GBTC Bitcoin ‘discount’ may be gone by 2024 as share price gains 17%

GBTC shares trading at a lower implied value to BTC price may soon be a thing of the past, a new prediction says.

Bitcoin (BTC) investment vehicle, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) could erase its BTC price “discount” in 2024.

In an X post on Aug. 30, monitoring resource CoinGlass predicted that the so-called “GBTC premium” would soon return.

GBTC price: From "elevator to hell" to "stairway to heaven?"

Grayscale netting a court victory over United States regulators on Aug. 29 provided an instant remedy to what was flagging GBTC performance.

The fund, which contains over 600,000 BTC, has traded at a discount to the Bitcoin spot price, also called net asset value (NAV), since February 2021.

What was once the “GBTC premium” has thus been negative for over two-and-a-half years, but that could soon change.

News that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must consider GBTC’s conversion to a Bitcoin spot price exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the same terms as other applicants sent the “discount” to its lowest levels since December 2021.

At just -17%, it is now less than half of what it was at the peak, when it neared 50% in what was once called an “elevator to hell.”

“Expect Grayscale $GBTC premium to close the discount next year,” CoinGlass wrote in part of subsequent commentary.

GBTC premium vs. asset holdings vs. BTC/USD chart (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass

Noting the size of its assets under management (AUM), Dylan LeClair, senior analyst at digital asset fund UTXO Management, reflected on the impact that GBTC had in shaping Bitcoin’s run to current all-time highs.

“Don't forget how large $GBTC is. They hold >600k BTC, and was the single largest driver of the 2021 bull run from a flows standpoint,” he told X subscribers on Aug. 29.

“Today's discount move from -26% to -17% is the equivalent of 56,000 BTC returning to the AUM of $GBTC if shares are marked to market.”
GBTC Bitcoin holdings data. Source: Dylan LeClair/X

BTC price dices with crucial support reclaim

Eyeing the implications of the Grayscale news for BTC price action, meanwhile, market participants flagged the potential return of some key moving averages (MAs).

Related: Bitcoin metric with ‘100% long hit rate’ predicts $23K BTC price floor

Chief among these are the 200-week and 200-day trend lines, both of which failed to act as support during Bitcoin’s descent to multi-month lows earlier in August.

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView nonetheless showed BTC/USD struggling to hold either level — despite the previous daily candle closing above them.

BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200-day, 200-week MA. Source: TradingView

Continuing on the topic, popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital reiterated that several MAs remained an essential reclaim target for bulls.

In an X post, he referenced the potential bullish invalidation of Bitcoin’s double top structure on weekly timeframes.

“This is great initial momentum from ~$26K support which never brokedown to fully confirm the Double Top,” part of his analysis read.

“That said, $BTC needs to reclaim the Bull Market moving averages as support to be in the clear.”
BTC/USD annotated chart. Source: Rekt Capital/X

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Crypto community jubilant over Grayscale decision, but uncertainty remains

The court’s decision that the SEC has to consider Grayscale’s Bitcoin spot ETF application is good news for crypto but maybe not as impactful as some hoped.

The crypto community received the decision it had been hoping for when the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Grayscale Investments’ Bitcoin spot ETF application. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejection of the application was overturned.

The decision was “a slaughterfest of the SEC arguments,” Cinneamhain Ventures founder Adam Cochran said on X (formerly Twitter). “This changes everything. Time to pay attention again,” influencer Miles Deutscher chimed in.

The initial enthusiasm was tempered by the understanding that the decision was limited in its scope and the SEC has options for its next steps. Grayscale released a statement in which chief legal officer Craig Salm said:

“We appreciate that the D.C. Circuit’s opinion acknowledged that this case presented a straight-forward question about equal treatment under the law.”

This more sober evaluation gained traction as analysts considered the SEC’s resourcefulness further.

“Gary Gensler and team are discussing how this can [be] made into a political win. [...] Will Gensler graciously accept defeat or talk about how these 3 judges got it wrong?” crypto lawyer John Deaton asked

Related: BTC price jumps to 2-week highs on Grayscale vs. SEC Bitcoin ETF win

Blockchain Association chief policy officer Jake Chervinsky acknowledged the possibility that the SEC would accept defeat, calling that strategy “a face-saving narrative” and “the right move” after “a huge embarrassment.”

Others were less optimistic. “So far, every time they lose in court they just shamelessly say the judge got it wrong and pursue more shenanigans,” Delphi Labs general counsel Gabriel Shapiro said

Shenanigans can be costly. “For many companies, fighting back is incredibly expensive (you will win, but you’ll be bankrupt when you do) or you’re a financial conglomerate where the SEC can fuck up the rest of your business in the meantime. Gangster behavior,” Zero Knowledge Consulting managing partner Austin Campbell said.

Crypto lawyer Jeremy Hogan reminded the community to beware of what it prays for. “Everyone, welcome ‘Big Money’ to the table. For better, or worse,” he said of the Grayscale win. 

Magazine: SEC seeks appeal over Ripple, crypto prices plunge and EU debuts Bitcoin ETF: Hodler’s Digest, Aug. 13-19

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Grayscale wins the court battle, but what does this mean for a spot Bitcoin ETF?

The SEC may have a limited window to appeal the court decision, while Grayscale could forward forward with an amended application for its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.

A federal judge has overturned the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to deny an exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering from Grayscale Investments through its Bitcoin (BTC) Trust, but many experts have pointed out the court ruling will not automatically lead to the first spot BTC ETF in the country.

In an Aug. 29 decision with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge Neomi Rao supported Grayscale’s position that its proposed Bitcoin ETF was “materially similar” to Bitcoin futures exchange-traded products already approved by the SEC for trading. The court largely ruled that the SEC’s justification of denying Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETF on the grounds it was not “designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices” was insufficient, and the matter will return to the commission for review.

To date, the SEC has denied all spot crypto ETF offerings in the U.S., though many applications are currently being reviewed, including those from BlackRock, ARK Invest, Bitwise Asset Management, VanEck, WisdomTree, Invesco and Galaxy Digital, Fidelity and Valkyrie. The commission has the means to keep delaying a decision or otherwise pushing the final deadline for approval on the majority of the aforementioned applications until March 2024.

At the time of publication, the SEC had not publicly commented on the appeals court decision but reportedly said it would be reviewing the case to determine its next steps. The commission will likely have the opportunity to appeal the decision, but many experts have claimed that the initial Grayscale victory could pave the way for eventual approval.

“Despite the inevitable SEC appeal, to our mind there is no doubt now, spot BTC ETFs are coming to the U.S.,” said Tim Bevan, CEO at ETC Group. “We don’t believe the SEC will act as kingmaker and the most likely outcome is a block approval of applications that meet requirements, probably in Q1 ’24.”

Lolli CEO and co-founder Alex Adelman said the appeals court ruling would “put new pressure on the SEC” in its justification for rejecting spot Bitcoin ETF applications. He added the BTC price rally following the news could be interpreted as a “vote of confidence” for spot investment vehicles linked to Bitcoin:

“Now is the time for the U.S. to embrace innovation by making bitcoin available to investors through exchange-based products or risk falling behind global powers that are moving faster to claim this advantage.”

Related: Jacobi spot Bitcoin ETF classed as ‘environmental investing’ by issuer

A spokesperson for the Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) told Cointelegraph the ruling opened the door to a wider range of investors looking to offer a spot BTC vehicle in the United States. According to the CCI, “spot bitcoins ETFs are now closer to a potential launch.”

The next steps for either Grayscale moving forward with its application or the SEC appealing the decision are unclear. The asset manager could refile with the SEC aimed at making the spot investment vehicle application more like that of a Bitcoin futures-linked ETF. Experts are reporting the SEC also has the option of filing for an ‘en banc’ hearing in which all judges on the DC circuit — rather than the three which ruled on the Grayscale appeal — would hear the matter.

Magazine: SEC calls ETF filings inadequate, Binance loses euro partner and other news: Hodler’s Digest, June 25 – July 1

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Bitcoin and Crypto Assets Jump After Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC Over ETF Approval

Bitcoin and Crypto Assets Jump After Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC Over ETF Approval

Crypto markets have abruptly turned green following digital asset manager Grayscale’s victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the regulator’s refusal to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an exchange-traded fund (ETF). A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the SEC has to reconsider Grayscale’s application to launch an ETF out of […]

The post Bitcoin and Crypto Assets Jump After Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC Over ETF Approval appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

BTC price jumps to 2-week highs on Grayscale vs. SEC Bitcoin ETF win

BTC price volatility returns as good news over the GBTC conversion to a spot Bitcoin ETF sends markets rallying.

Bitcoin (BTC) neared two-week highs on Aug. 29 as news hit that digital asset manager Grayscale had won a lawsuit against United States regulators.

BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

SEC was "arbitrary and capricious" with Bitcoin ETF rejection

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView captured an instant BTC price reaction to the event, with BTC/USD gaining $1,700 in around 30 minutes.

The news upended a stale Bitcoin trading environment which had endured after snap losses in mid-August.

A ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stated that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was wrong to reject an application by Grayscale to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) using the Bitcoin spot price as its basis.

“The denial of Grayscale's proposal was arbitrary and capricious because the SEC failed to explain its different treatment of similar products,” an unverified copy circulating online states.

“We therefore grant Grayscale's petition and vacate the order.”

Grayscale thus joins the waiting list of firms seeking to launch what would become the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF, with the SEC yet to approve any application.

At the time of writing, BTC/USD circled $27,300, having reached as high as $27,723 on Bitstamp.

Data from the Binance BTC/USD order book uploaded to X by monitoring resource Material Indicators covered the uptick, with all order classes boosting buying in what was a market lacking liquidity.

BTC/USD order book data for Binance. Source: Material Indicators/X

“A 6-month view of order book data shows thin liquidity to the upside that should be quite easy to exploit for a retest of the $30s, but we've yet to see enough sentiment to do that because the market fears what will happen if BTC starts printing lower lows,” part of analysis issued just prior to the Grayscale announcement stated.

Analyst heralds BTC price "bull cycle" catalyst

Continuing the reaction, Michaël van de Poppe, founder and CEO of trading firm Eight, suggested that the court’s decision could have a positive impact on the existing ETF applications, notably that of the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock.

Related: Bitcoin metric with ‘100% long hit rate’ predicts $23K BTC price floor

“This might sound weird, but we could be on the verge of the start of the bull cycle with this news,” he summarized to X followers in part of commentary on the back of a dedicated video update.

As Cointelegraph reported, Grayscale’s legal battle with the SEC was lengthy and slow-moving, with CEO Michael Sonnenshein among those insisting that the firm would not rest until granted permission to convert its existing Bitcoin investment vehicle, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), to an ETF.

“Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us, especially our investors,” Sonnenshein wrote on X following news of the SEC’s setback.

“We are grateful for your support and encouragement. Next up: our legal team is actively reviewing the Court's opinion.”

The GBTC share price was up over 17% on the day at the time of writing at $20.60.

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) 1-day chart. Source: TradingView

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Breaking: Grayscale wins SEC lawsuit

Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market rose sharply on the news.

Crypto asset manager Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) has scored a major victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in its efforts to convert its over-the-counter GBTC application into a listed Bitcoin ETF.

According to August 29 court filings, U.S. Court of Appeals Circuit Judge Neomi Rao ordered that Grayscale's petition for review be granted and for the SEC's order to deny the GBTC listing application to be vacated. Previously, Judge Rao said that the SEC did not "offer any explanation" as to why Grayscale was in the wrong. However, the order does not guarantee the listing of a Grayscale spot Bitcoin ETF.

This is a breaking news story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood Says if the SEC Approves a Bitcoin Spot ETF, It Will Likely Greenlight More Than One

ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood Says if the SEC Approves a Bitcoin Spot ETF, It Will Likely Greenlight More Than One

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood thinks the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will decide on multiple Bitcoin (BTC) spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) at the same time. In a new interview with Bloomberg Television, Wood says the SEC decision date for ARK’s 21Shares Bitcoin spot ETF application, currently scheduled for August 13th, will likely be […]

The post ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood Says if the SEC Approves a Bitcoin Spot ETF, It Will Likely Greenlight More Than One appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Millennials and Generation Z Could Decide 2024 ‘Bitcoin Election,’ According to Crypto Giant Grayscale

Millennials and Generation Z Could Decide 2024 ‘Bitcoin Election,’ According to Crypto Giant Grayscale

Crypto investment giant Grayscale says that two younger voting demographics could play a key role in deciding the upcoming 2024 presidential election. In a new article, the crypto asset manager notes that Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at its highest level during an American presidential election cycle. Grayscale says that millennials and Generation Z voters may […]

The post Millennials and Generation Z Could Decide 2024 ‘Bitcoin Election,’ According to Crypto Giant Grayscale appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction

Grayscale urges SEC to approve all Bitcoin ETFs simultaneously

Grayscale's ETF was previously knocked back by the SEC and it wants it and competing ETFs approved together so none have an advantage.

Crypto fund manager Grayscale is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to approve all proposed spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) at the same time to avoid one having an advantage.

A July 27 post by Grayscale chief legal officer Craig Salm said its legal team submitted a letter regarding eight spot Bitcoin ETF filings — including its own — arguing the SEC shouldn’t pick “winners and losers” and instead make a fair and orderly decision.

The letter claimed the SEC could approve the spot ETFs based on its approvals for Bitcoin futures ETFs saying the two fund types are “inextricably linked.”

Grayscale added recent surveillance sharing agreements (SSAs) between Coinbase and the spot ETF providers are “not a new idea” and claimed they would not meet the SEC’s standards.

ETF filings from Invesco, BlackRock, Valkyrie, VanEck, Wisdom, Fidelity and ARK Invest were recently updated to include SSAs with Coinbase.

Coinbase would share information on its trading books and other information so the SEC can monitor any possible market manipulation or irregular trading activity.

In late June SEC pushed back on the ETFs due to there being no SSAs, saying they were needed due to what it claimed was the potential for crypto markets to be manipulated.

Grayscale claimed, however, that the SSA’s “would neither satisfy nor be necessary” under the SEC's standards as Coinbase isn’t registered with the SEC as a securities exchange or broker-dealer nor with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a futures exchange.

It added approving the ETFs would be “a positive but sudden and significant change” in the SEC's application of its standard and would “improperly grant an unfairly discriminatory and prejudicial first-mover advantage to these proposals.”

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), which aims to track Bitcoin’s price, has nearly 1 million investors, Salm claimed.

Related: Grayscale CEO: BlackRock ETF filing a ‘moment of validation’ for Bitcoin

He said if it's converted to an ETF it would return billions in value to investors, adding there’s “simply no reason” the SEC should keep GBTC investors from a spot Bitcoin ETF.

The SEC denied Grayscale’s application to convert the GBTC to a spot Bitcoin ETF last June.

In response, Grayscale sued the regulator saying it was acting arbitrarily by “failing to apply consistent treatment to similar investment vehicles.

Magazine: Should you ‘orange pill’ children? The case for Bitcoin kids books

Coinbase Reports Its First AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction