Bits + Bips: Is This the Real Reason the SEC Approved the Ethereum ETFs? - Ep. 656

In this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts James Seyffart, Alex Kruger, and Joe McCann, along with guest Hal Press, founder of North Rock Digital, dive into the intricate challenges of pitching the ETH spot ETF to traditional finance and the Federal Reserve’s anticipated next steps. They discuss why Biden vetoed the repeal of SAB 121, and why that veto lends credence to an alternative theory as to why the SEC approved Ethereum ETFs. 

Also, they talk about why the spot ETH ETFs are already turning out to be different from the Bitcoin ETFs, Hong Kong's (and perhaps China’s?) crypto ambitions, recent U.S. macroeconomic indicators, and whether or not Roaring Kitty’s recent antics with GME stock are illegal—and how he’s impacting memecoins. 

Show highlights:

• Why Biden vetoed the repeal of SAB 121 and whether it was priced in
• The recent political change around crypto and the surprise Gen Z celebrity who could swing the U.S. presidential election
• The impact of the Trump conviction on the crypto industry
• Why ETF issuers were caught off guard with the spot ETH ETF approvals
• Whether Bitcoin ETF buyers will rotate to Ethereum, and when the products will launch 
• How the ETH ETF will be pitched to TradFi 
• Why Alex thinks ETH/BTC will go up 
• How Hong Kong is trying to become the Wall Street of crypto, according to Joe
• The recent macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. and their implications for crypto
• The massive glitches in the NYSE that showed Berkshire Hathaway going down 99%
• Whether what Roaring Kitty is doing with the GME stock is illegal

Hosts:

• James Seyffart, Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
• Alex Kruger, Founder of Asgard
• Joe McCann, Founder, CEO, and CIO of Asymmetric

Guest:

• Hal Press, Founder of North Rock Digital

Links

Politics: 

• Unchained: President Biden Vetoes SAB121 Repeal
• Unchained: FIT21 Bill Heads to The Senate: Should We Really Be Excited?
• POLITICO: Crypto super PACs get $25M boost
• Fortune: Coinbase donates $25 million to super PAC Fairshake days after Biden vetoes crypto custody bill

Ether ETFs:

• Unchained: 
• Ethereum ETFs Likely Protect Ether From the SEC. But What About Staked ETH? 
• Why the SEC May Not Be Done in Its Legal Battles Over Ethereum
• Why ETH Spot ETFs Could Benefit Stakers and Make Ethereum More Resilient
• ETH ETFs Will Be Approved. But Could Grayscale Outflows Depress the Price of ETH?
• Blockworks: What we learned from the latest ETH ETF filing dump

Hong Kong

• Bloomberg: Hong Kong Says 11 Crypto Exchanges Are Closer to Getting Permits

Other recent events: 

• CNN Business: Berkshire Hathaway: NYSE says glitch that showed stock down 99.97% has been resolved 
• WSJ: E*Trade Considers Kicking Meme-Stock Leader Keith Gill Off Platform 

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:59 Why Biden vetoed the repeal of SAB 121 and whether it was priced in
• 08:43 The recent political change around crypto and whether this particular Gen Z celeb could swing the U.S. presidential election
• 12:07 What the impact of the Trump conviction had in the crypto industry
• 15:38 Whether Bitcoin ETF buyers will rotate to Ethereum, and when the ETH ETFs will launch 
• 25:53 How the ETH ETF will or should be pitched to TradFi 
• 31:02 Why Alex thinks ETH/BTC will go up 
• 32:48How Hong Kong is trying to become the Wall Street of crypto, according to Joe
• 36:27 The recent macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. and their implications for crypto
• 45:15 The massive glitches in the NYSE that showed Berkshire Hathaway going down 99%
• 49:26 Whether what Roaring Kitty is doing with the GME stock is illegal

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