Grayscale’s CLO Asserts Inevitability of Ethereum ETF Approval
Grayscale’s Chief Legal Officer (CLO), Craig Salm, is highly optimistic about the approval of spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), asserting that the case for their approval is just as strong as it was for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Salm’s confidence comes amid ongoing discussions and speculation surrounding the possibility of Ethereum ETFs being given the green light by regulators.
To support his optimism, Salm draws on his past experiences with Bitcoin ETFs, highlighting the positive and productive dialogues he and others had with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These discussions covered crucial topics such as ETF creation and redemption, asset storage, and the roles of authorized participants (APs) and lenders for control purposes.
Salm also reveals in a tweet that the discussions surrounding Ethereum ETFs involve operational and legal aspects that are similar to Bitcoin ETFs. He argues that the underlying principles governing ETF activity remain the same regardless of the asset. With most of the basic and regulatory framework already in place, Salm believes that Ethereum ETFs should receive similar regulatory approvals as Bitcoin ETFs.
Looking ahead to the final decision, which is expected by the end of May 2024, Salm maintains his optimism. While he acknowledges the potential for changing sentiments as the decision date approaches, he emphasizes that the current lack of regulator involvement does not necessarily indicate a negative outcome. His views align with those of industry leaders such as Coinbase’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Paul Grewal, and former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner, Brian Quintenz.
Grewal and Quintenz argue for the adoption of Ethereum ETFs, citing reasons such as compatibility with Ethereum futures ETFs, the classification of Ethereum futures as commodity futures rather than security futures, and the high correlation between futures and spot prices.
Finally, Salm underscores the significance of investors gaining access to Ethereum through spot ETFs, similar to Bitcoin ETFs. He expresses Grayscale’s commitment to engaging with regulators on this issue and emphasizes the company’s confidence in the strength of the case for the Ethereum ETF.