SEC Delays Ark, Global X ETF Amid Shutdown Concerns

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has preemptively extended its deadlines for choices on spot bitcoin ETF applications from Ark 21Shares and Global X as the threat of a government shutdown looms.

Given the continuing price range negotiations in Congress and uncertainty regarding federal agency operations, the SEC has chosen to transport beforehand of its period in-between time limits. The corporation has a total span of 240 days from the begin of a evaluation to make a conclusive selection on any application.

Ark Investment Management and 21Shares, having sought ETF approval because 2021, confronted a setback after their 2nd software attempt changed into declined via the SEC. The new closing date for the SEC to reply to their utility is now slated for Jan. 10. Meanwhile, Global X, which most effective these days submitted its software, will need to wait until Nov. 21 for a decision.

🚨BREAKING: 🇺🇸 SEC has formally postponed the ETF application for Cathie Wood's ARK Invest Bitcoin spot ETF.
— Coingraph | News (@CoingraphNews) September 26, 2023

The software from Global X goals to offer traders with a way to get admission to bitcoin while ensuring protections that won’t be to be had for direct bitcoin investments.

Historically, the SEC has proven reluctance in the direction of spot bitcoin ETF products, elevating concerns approximately ability market manipulation and perceived shortcomings in investor protections. However, a current federal court ruling criticized the SEC’s method, labeling it as “arbitrary and capricious” and entreated the regulator to re-evaluate its stance.

While the SEC typically makes use of the entire 240-day window to finalize its decision, the approaching shutdown danger has triggered the enterprise to make an early intervening time choice this time round. Back in 2019, in the course of a similar shutdown, the SEC had asked an applicant to withdraw its submission altogether.

Citing the want for ample deliberation time, the SEC said that it deemed it match to allocate a more extended duration for its decision-making process. Concurrently, members of the House Financial Services Committee are advocating for quick approvals of pending spot ETF programs, especially in mild of the SEC’s recent court setback.