Nasdaq Seeks to Streamline Crypto ETF Options Amid Regulatory Limbo
Nasdaq is pushing to make it easier for investors to trade options on cryptocurrency-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The company has filed a proposal with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to standardize the listing process for certain ETFs that hold digital commodities like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
The proposed rule change would allow these ETFs to qualify for options listings based on standardized requirements, eliminating the need for separate approval each time. This could make it easier for investors to trade options on funds holding cryptocurrencies, which some view as a way to diversify portfolios and hedge against market volatility.
This move comes at a time when regulatory clarity is in short supply, with the CLARITY Act stalled in the Senate until September. However, institutional interest in Bitcoin remains strong, with BlackRock's Robert Mitchnick recently stating that its decoupling from equities is a healthy development.