ARK Invest, a prominent contender for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), has significantly amended its SEC filing by including a surveillance-sharing agreement (SSA). This move comes shortly after BlackRock’s ETF application, featuring an SSA. By submitting its proposal before BlackRock, ARK hopes to gain an advantage in securing approval for a Bitcoin ETF.
Enhanced Investor Protection through Surveillance-Sharing Agreement :
The newly added “Spot BTC SSA” agreement in ARK’s filing establishes a collaboration between ARK, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) BZX Exchange, and an undisclosed cryptocurrency trading platform. An SSA enables the sharing of information with regulators to prevent market manipulation. Including this agreement addresses the SEC’s concern regarding investor protection, as previous ETF applications lacked such measures. BlackRock’s decision to include an SSA in its filing generated considerable attention and speculation within the industry.
ARK’s Past Challenges and Recent Developments :
ARK’s earlier attempt to launch a Bitcoin ETF in partnership with 21Shares, was rejected by the SEC due to concerns about market manipulation. However, the SEC recently approved the first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF, BITX, demonstrating a growing acceptance of cryptocurrency-based financial products. The successful launch of BITX, with $5.5 million in trades on its first day, further highlights the market demand for diversified investment options in cryptocurrency.
ARK Invest’s addition of a surveillance-sharing agreement to its Bitcoin ETF filing signals the company’s commitment to addressing regulatory concerns and improving investor protection. By including this agreement in response to BlackRock’s recent filing, ARK aims to stay competitive in the race for the first approved Bitcoin ETF. With the recent approval of the first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF, the cryptocurrency investment landscape continues to evolve, providing investors with more diversified options.
