Cryptocurrency market participants are gearing up for a potential surge in trading activity as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to approve Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from various firms in the coming days. The approval could lead to a substantial influx of investment money into the cryptocurrency market, providing easier access to Bitcoin for a broader range of investors.
Key market players, including BlackRock, Grayscale, Fidelity, and Galaxy/Invesco, are reportedly well-prepared to handle the expected surge in demand for Bitcoin. Trading firms known as authorized participants (APs) and market makers play crucial roles in ensuring the efficient trading of large capital amounts. APs create and redeem ETF shares, maintaining a close link between the ETF’s price and the underlying asset value. Market makers operate in the secondary market, providing liquidity on exchanges and facilitating trading.
Prominent Wall Street firms, such as JPMorgan Chase, Jane Street, and Cantor Fitzgerald, have committed to serving as authorized participants for Bitcoin ETFs, and additional firms are likely to follow suit. Trading firm DRW, a major liquidity provider, has been actively preparing for Bitcoin ETFs by onboarding issuers and sourcing Bitcoin to meet potential orders from APs.
Despite concerns about the market’s ability to handle significant Bitcoin orders, traders express confidence in its efficiency. The daily trading volume of Bitcoin on major exchanges has averaged around $22 billion over the past 45 days, with spikes to approximately $40 billion on certain days. This liquidity is believed to be sufficient to accommodate the demand from Bitcoin ETF issuers.
Investors find ETFs appealing due to their accessibility and ability to closely track the value of the underlying asset. A Bitcoin ETF would offer a convenient and regulated means for investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market, similar to traditional stocks.
While the anticipated wave of money entering the market is seen as positive for overall market health, its impact on Bitcoin’s price remains uncertain. The success of individual ETFs may vary, with expectations that investment demand will be particularly skewed towards industry giant BlackRock.
