October was supposed to be the month when long-awaited crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) finally hit U.S. markets. Deadlines for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to approve or deny several spot crypto ETF applications were lined up throughout the month. But when the U.S. government shut down, the process froze — and deadlines stopped mattering. Now November could take October’s place. Several issuers are using a procedural route that doesn’t require an active SEC sign-off. It’s the same appr ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. More than two-thirds of Americans believe they need more than stocks and real estate to generate higher returns, according to Charles Schwab's (NYSE:SCHW) 2025 Modern Wealth Survey. More Americans feel the need to accumulate alternative assets like cryptocurrencies instead of relying exclusively on traditional assets. The findings come as Bitcoin continues to outperform the S&P 500. Bitcoin's 19% year-to-d ...

Figment is expanding its staking infrastructure integration with Coinbase Prime, giving institutional investors broader access to staking across a growing list of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, all without taking assets out of custody. The announcement Tuesday comes as several spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with built-in staking features launch on the New York Stock Exchange today, signaling increasing institutional interest in earning yield on digital assets. Coinbase Prime, the institutional ...

Core Insights - Digital asset investment products experienced inflows of $921 million last week, driven by renewed optimism regarding U.S. interest rate cuts, which has revived investor interest in crypto-linked funds [1] - The inflows occurred amidst a backdrop of volatility and uncertainty in U.S. fiscal policy, particularly during the ongoing government shutdown [1] - Consumer price index data came in lower than expected, bolstering hopes for continued easing by the Federal Reserve, with trading volumes in exchange-traded products (ETPs) reaching $39 billion, significantly above the year-to-date weekly average of $28 billion [2] Investor Sentiment - A significant majority of users on the prediction market platform Myriad anticipate a 25 basis points rate cut in October, with only a 19% chance of two rate changes by the Fed in 2025 [3] - CoinShares' head of research noted a long-term shift in investor behavior, with diversification now being the primary reason for investing in crypto ETFs, contrasting with five years ago when speculation was the main driver [4] - The percentage of Bitcoin investors holding for over 150 days has increased from 50% in 2018 to 75% today, indicating a shift towards a longer-term investment outlook [4] Market Dynamics - Investors are increasingly responsive to economic data such as CPI and payrolls, viewing Bitcoin more as a store of value or monetary asset [5] - The correlation between Bitcoin and traditional assets like bonds and equities varies significantly, influenced by monetary policy stances [5] - The U.S. led regional inflows with $843 million, while Germany recorded strong inflows of $502 million; however, Switzerland saw outflows of $359 million attributed to asset transfers rather than active selling [6] Regional Activity - Smaller markets like Hong Kong experienced limited activity, with only $11.23 million in outflows from one Bitcoin ETF, while a single Ethereum ETF saw inflows of $1.1 million [7]

The Federal Reserve will drive Bitcoin’s price to $125,000. That’s according to Robin Singh, CEO of crypto accounting platform Koinly, who told DL News that the flagship cryptocurrency will retest the all-time high price level if the central bank cuts interest rates at its October 29 meeting. The meeting will reinforce “consensus of a continued shift toward looser monetary policy, which typically benefits Bitcoin,” Singh said. The CME FedWatch tool shows a 97% chance of a 0.25% cut in interest rates lat ...

Group 1 - FalconX is acquiring crypto investment management firm 21shares to expand its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offerings [1] - The acquisition follows the removal of regulatory hurdles for new spot ETFs tied to various cryptocurrencies [1][2] - 21shares manages over $11 billion in assets across multiple products, indicating significant market presence [3] Group 2 - FalconX aims to utilize 21shares' expertise in crypto ETFs and its brokerage platform to promote digital asset investment products [4] - The U.S. government shutdown may impact the Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to review and approve new crypto ETF filings [4] - Concerns are rising regarding highly leveraged funds tracking cryptocurrencies, especially after a significant selloff linked to renewed trade tensions with China [5] Group 3 - FalconX was valued at $8 billion in a 2022 funding round and has facilitated over $2 trillion in trading volume, serving more than 2,000 institutional clients [5]

Core Insights - Florida lawmakers are proposing a new financial tool that would allow pension funds and public investment pools to invest in bitcoin and crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [1] - The proposal would enable the allocation of up to 10 percent of these funds into digital assets, marking a significant shift from traditional investment strategies [1][4] Group 1: Legislative Proposal - The proposal is led by Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, who advocates for bitcoin as "digital gold" and a hedge against market volatility [2] - The bill, known as House Bill 183, outlines the management of crypto investments, requiring proper custody channels for bitcoin and other digital assets [4] - The legislation allows for bitcoin lending to generate additional income, with a cap of 10 percent on eligible fund investments [4] Group 2: Financial Context - The State Board of Administration (SBA) manages over $205 billion in assets, including one of the largest pension funds in the U.S., the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund [3] - Other states, such as Wisconsin and Michigan, have begun to invest in crypto, with Wisconsin investing $164 million in spot bitcoin ETFs, representing 0.1 percent of its total assets [6] - Florida's larger fund size could lead to more significant advancements in crypto investments compared to other states [7]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley has lifted restrictions on client investments in digital asset ETFs, previously limited to clients with at least $1.5 million in investable assets, indicating a significant shift in the firm's approach to crypto investments [2] - The digital asset ETF market is experiencing rapid growth, with the iShares Bitcoin Trust nearing $100 billion in assets, highlighting strong investor demand despite recent volatility in Bitcoin prices [2][3] - The change in Morgan Stanley's policy is expected to pressure competitors like Wells Fargo, UBS, and Merrill Lynch to enhance their crypto offerings to attract new assets under management (AUM) [5] Industry Developments - The SEC has facilitated quicker listings of various spot-price crypto ETFs, contributing to the evolving landscape of digital asset investments [2] - Vanguard, previously skeptical of crypto ETFs, is reevaluating its stance, reflecting a broader trend among financial institutions to adapt to increasing demand for crypto access [4] - The influx of advisors able to offer crypto investments is anticipated to drive significant asset growth in the ETF category, as firms respond to client and advisor demand [5][6]

Core Insights - The cryptocurrency market is entering a phase characterized by regulatory support, favorable monetary policies, and increasing institutional demand, with Bitcoin projected to rise 20% to $148,500 by year-end [1] - The overall market capitalization of cryptocurrencies is approximately $4.3 trillion, with stablecoins surpassing $300 billion in circulation [2] Market Dynamics - Digital assets are transitioning into a "maturity phase," where price movements are driven by strategic allocation rather than speculation [2] - Macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly related to U.S. trade policies and government actions, have led to increased interest in safe-haven assets like Bitcoin [3] Regulatory Environment - The U.S. policy landscape has shifted positively for cryptocurrencies, with the Genius Act establishing a federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, resulting in $30 billion in inflows [6] - The support from the U.S. administration and recent legislation is expected to drive further adoption and growth in the crypto market [5] Institutional Interest - The number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is anticipated to double to 80, with significant institutional buying pressure from net inflows [1][5] - Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are attracting substantial capital, while new futures options for Solana and XRP are being introduced, enhancing institutional exposure [7] Future Projections - The circulating value of stablecoins is expected to reach $500 billion by 2026, driven by integration into global payment networks by major companies like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal [6]

Group 1: Crypto ETF Developments - The approval process for crypto ETFs has historically taken up to 240 days, but recent regulatory changes could reduce this to just a couple of months, enhancing market efficiency for issuers and investors [2] - The new approval process eliminates the need for exchanges to file a 19b-4 for every product, streamlining the overall approval process [2] Group 2: SEC Approval of ETF Share Class Structures - The SEC's approval of ETF share class structures is seen as a significant development, providing investors with more choices, greater liquidity, lower costs, and improved tax efficiency [3] Group 3: Performance of Mining ETFs - Gold and silver mining ETFs have performed strongly due to rising commodity prices and increased demand for safe-haven assets, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) up 47% with $16 billion in inflows, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) surging 60% with nearly $2 billion in inflows [4] Group 4: Trends Among New ETF Issuers - The role of ETF sub-advisors is critical, acting as an operational extension of issuers, with new entrants like hedge funds and family offices capitalizing on ETFs' distribution power and tax efficiency [5] - Product innovation is being tailored to financial advisors' needs, focusing on strategies for income, volatility, and alternatives, alongside emerging trends like 351 exchanges and multi-share class structures [5]