Group 1: Crypto ETF Developments - Vanguard Group has opened its brokerage platform to spot crypto ETFs, which could significantly drive inflows due to its 50 million customers [2] - Bank of America Corp. will allow its advisors to recommend crypto allocations of 1% to 4%, contributing to a 5% increase in Bitcoin prices [3] - Strong demand for newly launched spot crypto ETFs is evident, with Bitwise Asset Management's Solana ETF attracting over $800 million in net inflows and total spot Solana assets reaching $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion [4] Group 2: Goldman Sachs Acquisition - Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has acquired Innovator ETFs for $2 billion, positioning itself as the leader in defined outcome ETFs, with Innovator managing approximately $28 billion to $30 billion across 150 ETFs [5] - The defined outcome ETF space has expanded from $5 billion to about $75 billion over the past five years, indicating significant growth in this sector [5] Group 3: Regulatory Environment - The SEC has delayed filings for five times leveraged ETFs from nine issuers, with concerns raised about the high level of leverage [6]

🔥 BULLISH: In a major shift, Vanguard will allow trading of spot crypto ETFs on its platform.It'll give 50M+ clients access to funds holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana. https://t.co/QZbTrqJyHO ...

Core Viewpoint - NASDAQ is advancing its involvement in digital assets by filing an application with the SEC to allow trading of tokenized stocks and ETPs, aiming to bridge the digital and traditional asset worlds while prioritizing investor rights and protections [1][3][4]. Group 1: Tokenized Assets and Investor Choice - The proposed rule change allows investors to choose between holding assets in tokenized form on the blockchain or in traditional accounts, emphasizing investor-first principles [3][4]. - The tokenized stocks will maintain the same ticker and be fully fungible with their traditional counterparts, ensuring that investors retain full rights and titles [5][6]. Group 2: Market Structure and Trading Process - The trading of tokenized assets will occur under existing SEC rules, ensuring that the current market structure remains intact while integrating new technologies [9][10]. - NASDAQ aims to maintain liquidity and depth in the market, avoiding fragmentation that could disrupt trading during stress periods [11][12]. Group 3: Benefits of Tokenization - Near-term benefits include process efficiencies in post-trade operations, with potential for faster settlement times in the future [13][14]. - Long-term advantages involve enhanced collateral mobility and capital efficiency, allowing for better utilization of assets in various financial applications [15][16]. Group 4: Regulatory Environment and Industry Collaboration - NASDAQ is committed to evolving the system responsibly, working within regulatory guidelines while promoting innovation in tokenization [19][21]. - The company is collaborating with other firms to mainstream tokenization, ensuring that the transition is beneficial for all market participants [22][24]. Group 5: Historical Context and Future Outlook - NASDAQ has a long history in digital assets, having launched various products and technologies to support the crypto ecosystem, including a crypto custody business and market technology for over 130 markets globally [27][28][29]. - The convergence of traditional finance and DeFi is anticipated, with stable coins and tokenized assets expected to play a significant role in capital efficiency and risk management by 2026 [35][38].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only two cryptocurrencies with a proven track record over the past decade, making them suitable for long-term investment [1][6]. Performance Overview - Bitcoin has increased by 48,802% from October 2015 to October 2025, while Ethereum has risen by 36,041% during the same period, showcasing their unparalleled performance compared to other cryptocurrencies [2][4]. Competitive Analysis - Bitcoin and Ethereum have significantly outperformed other major cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, Dogecoin, and XRP, which have not matched their growth [4]. Future Growth Potential - There is optimism regarding the future performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum, with expectations that they may continue to deliver strong returns in the next decade [5][6]. Market Sentiment - The consensus is building that Bitcoin could reach a price of $1 million in the coming years, driven by increased institutional investment and new use cases [7]. Strategic Accumulation - The accumulation of Bitcoin by sovereign nations, such as Sweden's announcement of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, is expected to further enhance its valuation [8].

Stephen McClur, thank you very much for joining us here in studio. Thanks so much for having me, Talia. Absolutely.So, the last time we spoke, you were the CIO of the asset management firm Valkyrie, and we spoke in person back at the end of 2023, and that's right before the SEC gave the green light for spot Bitcoin ETFs. At the time, you said you were optimistic they will in fact get approved by the SEC, and sure enough, you were right. Well, now you're the CEO of the investment firm Canary Capital, and so ...