Leading the crypto headlines over the past 24 hours was the all-too-familiar announcement by the SEC to delay a decision on whether or not to approve a bitcoin ETF. We also learnt that New Zealand-based crypto exchange, Cryptopia, pulled the pin on its short-lived attempt to revive its business following a recent hack, announcing it has gone into liquidation.
It wasn’t all bad news in the crypto space, however. One particularly promising piece of news came from leading custody provider, BitGo, who announced the launch of a new clearing and settlement service it believes solves a number of problems that have long deterred would-be institutional investors from gaining exposure to the cryptoasset class.
In the markets, bitcoin (BTC) dipped 1.17% for the day to trade at $7,883.1, at the time of writing. Indicative of traders taking BTC-denominated profits, ether (ETH) spiked 9.9% to $226.7, its highest point in over seven months. Additionally, the MVIS CryptoCompare Digital Assets 10 Index is currently tracking at 3,698.1, a 4.9% rise over the past 24 hours.
SEC Again Delays Decision on Bitcoin ETF
In a document published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the financial regulator revealed it would hold off on making a decision on the Bitwise exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposal filed with NYSE Arca.
Once the Bitwise ETF is published in the Federal Register, a three-week-long public comment period will commence. This will be followed by a two-week-long period for responses. The SEC has until August 14 to make a decision on the Bitwise ETF. Should they – for the last possible time – choose to delay once more, the final deadline will become October 13.
Crypto Exchange Cryptopia Halts Trading, Enters Liquidation
The recently-hacked crypto exchange, Cryptopia, yesterday announced it has halted trading immediately and entered liquidation. In a statement by the appointed liquidators – Grant Thornton New Zealand – they explained they “are focused on securing the assets for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Customers and suppliers of Christchurch-based Cryptopia will be contacted by Grant Thornton “about its appointment in the next few days,” according to the press release.
Cryptopia Limited appoints Grant Thornton as Liquidators – https://t.co/A35rq1Jls3
— Cryptopia Exchange (@Cryptopia_NZ) May 15, 2019
BitGo Launches New Settlement Service for Institutional Clients
The world’s leading crypto custody provider, BitGo, announced it is launching a new clearing and settlement service for its institutional, regulated BitGo Trust Company clients. The product – which is an off-chain settlement solution – will ensure cryptoassets never leave custody whilst being transferred. This is possible because BitGo will, on either side of their clients’ trade, act as the custodian.
In addition to reduced counterparty risk, BitGo’s new solution promises to be a more efficient and compliant way for institutional investors to clear and settle cryptoasset transactions.
“Until now,” BitGo’s chief executive Mike Belshe explained in a press release, “in a digital asset trade, one party needed to assume all of the risk and act on the counterparty’s good faith, and this doesn’t really work for institutional investors.”