The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has acknowledged two key filings: an amendment for Grayscale’s proposed spot Litecoin (LTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF) and a separate request allowing in-kind redemptions for BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT), according to Feb. 6 filings.
Analysts view the SEC’s engagement with these filings as a crucial step toward potential approval.
Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas previously said that the SEC’s interaction with the application raises the likelihood of approval, stating that a “Litecoin ETF has all the boxes checked” for regulatory clearance.
Balchunas also pointed out that the SEC’s comments on the S-1 amendment signal regulatory momentum, with Litecoin widely considered a commodity rather than a security. He suggested that a shift in SEC leadership could further shape the agency’s stance.
He made the comments after Nasdaq submitted a 19b-4 form on Jan. 16 seeking approval to list and trade a spot Litecoin ETF registered by Canary Capital.
The SEC’s latest acknowledgment strengthens expectations for a Litecoin ETF approval, with some analysts speculating the agency may opt to approve multiple crypto ETFs in a single batch.
Meanwhile, the industry has similar expectations regarding BlackRock’s application to allow in-kind redemptions. If approved, the adjustment would allow the direct transfer of Bitcoin (BTC) to investors during redemptions rather than converting assets into cash. The change could enhance efficiency and reduce tax liabilities for institutional participants.
The shift toward in-kind redemptions follows a broader industry trend to improve ETF liquidity and operational efficiency. In-kind transfers could reduce the impact of capital gains taxes and slippage associated with cash transactions, making the ETF structure more attractive to large investors.
Regulatory landscape for crypto ETFs
The SEC’s engagement with new crypto ETF structures signals ongoing developments in digital asset regulation.
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs has paved the way for additional crypto-related investment vehicles, with Litecoin now being considered a potential second-mover in the altcoin ETF space.
Market participants are watching whether in-kind redemption models gain regulatory approval, which could influence the long-term operation of spot Bitcoin ETFs.
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