Bitcoin ETFs from Fidelity and Skybridge Capital are under review by the SEC

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

The Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing applications for bitcoin exchange-traded funds filed by Fidelity and SkyBridge Capital, the hedge fund founded by Anthony Scaramucci. 

The SEC is examining a request from Fidelity Investments to launch the Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust, according to a filing dated May 25, and it is looking at SkyBridge's petition to start the First Trust SkyBridge Bitcoin ETF Trust, according to paperwork dated May 21.

The moves expand on the regulatory agency's review of other potential bitcoin ETFs. The US has yet to approve a cryptocurrency-based ETF. Money management firms are seeking to capture potential gains from exposure to bitcoin, which has been pulling in more interest and activity from institutional and retail investors and companies.

Scaramucci's SkyBridge is working with investment firm First Trust Advisors on the ETF project and in March filed for regulatory approval. If greenlighted, the ETF would trade on the New York Stock Exchange Arca, which specializes in exchange-traded listings.

Fidelity also in March submitted paperwork to launch a bitcoin ETF to track the digital currency's performance. If that wins SEC approval, shares of the Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust would trade on Cboe Global Markets.

Investors are waiting to hear from the SEC if it will grant clearance for bitcoin ETFs from Kryptoin, Valkyrie,  WisdomTree, and VanEck. Applications for about 10 others ETFs are pending, according to CoinDesk.

The SEC in late April said it expected to release its ruling on VanEck's application on June 17. The agency said it was delaying the decision to take an "appropriate" amount of time for the review. A review period can be extended for up to 240 days.

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