Spot Ethereum ETFs debut on US markets as trading commences

Source: Crypto Briefing

Today marks a watershed moment in the US financial markets as the first-ever spot Ethereum ETFs commence trading.

Approved by the US SEC, these funds allow investors to directly engage with the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency.

Jay Jacobs, BlackRock’s US head of thematic and active ETFs, highlighted Ethereum’s utility, stating, “You could think of Ethereum as a global platform for applications that run without decentralized intermediaries.”

The SEC allowed S1 registration statements to become effective on Monday afternoon, giving final approval for the funds to begin trading. This development comes less than three months after spot Bitcoin ETFs were launched in January.

Eight issuers are offering spot Ethereum ETFs with varying fee structures:

• Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust (NYSE: ETH): 0.15% post-waiver fee

• Franklin Ethereum ETF (CBOE: EZET): 0.19%

• VanEck Ethereum ETF (CBOE: ETHV): 0.20%

• Bitwise Ethereum ETF (NYSE: ETHW): 0.20%

• 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF (CBOE: CETH): 0.21%

• Fidelity Ethereum Fund (CBOE: FETH): 0.25%

• iShare Ethereum Trust (NASDAQ: ETHA): 0.25%

• Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF (CBOE: QETH): 0.25%

Additionally, Grayscale’s existing Ethereum Trust (NYSE: ETHE) will continue trading with a 2.5% fee. Six of the funds will use Coinbase as a custodian, while VanEck has chosen Gemini and Fidelity will self-custody its ether.

Analysts project more modest inflows for Ethereum ETFs compared to their Bitcoin counterparts. Citigroup estimates between $4.7 billion and $5.4 billion in inflows over the first six months of trading. Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, suggests Ethereum ETF demand may reach about one-third of what was seen with Bitcoin ETFs.

The ETFs are available to both institutional investors and retail traders. Notably, six of these funds have chosen Coinbase as their custodian, with others opting for different custody solutions. The trading platforms and their respective fees vary, with the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust and the Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF among those listed.

Comparatively, Ethereum ETFs are expected to see lower initial inflows than their Bitcoin counterparts, with projections suggesting up to $1 billion in net inflows monthly for the first half-year. Despite the smaller market size relative to Bitcoin, the introduction of these ETFs is poised to provide a new avenue for cryptocurrency investment.

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Author: Vince Dioquino