In a landmark decision, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a move long anticipated by crypto enthusiasts. Despite this historic regulatory nod, the price of bitcoin witnessed stale action over the past 24 hours. In striking contrast, ethereum rallied, marking a 9.1% rise on Wednesday, overshadowing bitcoin’s underperformance.
Ethereum Rises as Bitcoin Sees Muted Impact After ETF Approvals
The SEC’s decision marks a significant turn in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. Six years after the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust became the first Bitcoin ETF to be rejected in March 2017, the approval of these 11 ETFs represents a watershed moment. However, the market’s response was unexpectedly muted. While such approvals typically fuel bullish sentiments, bitcoin’s price movement remained tepid, suggesting a more complex market dynamic at play.
Experts have been pondering the reasons behind bitcoin’s underwhelming performance, attributing it to various elements. The role of two erroneous announcements is highlighted: Cointelegraph’s incorrect report regarding Blackrock’s ETF and the SEC’s mistaken social media post on platform X. Additionally, the prolonged wait for the SEC’s nod might have led to a “buy the rumor, sell the news” effect, with the market possibly having anticipated the approval.
In stark contrast, ethereum has seen a remarkable surge, pointing to the dynamic and changing nature of the cryptocurrency market. This variance in the trajectories of bitcoin and ethereum following the ETF approval sparks crucial inquiries about the future trends in the crypto world. ETH rose to a high of $2,527 per unit almost immediately after the SEC approved the spot bitcoin ETFs.
Moreover, there’s a growing expectation of an imminent spot-based Ethereum ETF. This shift illustrates changing investor attitudes and the maturing market. The crypto realm’s ongoing transformation highlights the fascinating relationship between regulatory decisions and market responses. In light of the numerous misleading events the crypto community has faced, it seems a significant amount of speculative excitement has dissipated.
Source: Bitcoin
