SEC Grants Accelerated Approval for Options Trading on BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF via Nasdaq ISE

Sep 20, 2024, 09:26 PM

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted accelerated approval for options trading on BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF, known as the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). This decision allows the listing and trading of options on the ETF through Nasdaq ISE. The approval is expected to significantly boost liquidity and attract more institutional investors to the cryptocurrency market. The move marks a major milestone for the industry, providing a new tool for hedging and managing Bitcoin price risk. The SEC's decision follows the approval of Bitcoin futures trading on U.S. exchanges earlier this year. The options contracts will still need to be approved by the Options Clearing Corp. and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission before trading can commence.