CFTC clears 'second hurdle' for spot Bitcoin ETF options

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The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued a notice, “clearing the way” for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) options. Analysts are now speculating the products could be listed imminently.

“Ball now in OCC’s court, and they are into it, so they’ll prob list very soon,” ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote in a Nov. 15 X post.

“Here. We. Go,” ETF analyst James Seyffart added.

The CFTC’s Nov. 16 statement announced the Division of Clearing and Risk’s (DCR’s) position “that the CFTC does not have any more role regarding the clearing of these options.”

The CFTC stated the listing of spot Bitcoin ETF options “does not implicate” its jurisdiction. Source: CFTC

“These ETF options are cleared and settled by the Options Clearing Corporation as the sole issuer of all equity options,” it stated.

Balchunas explained this was “the second hurdle” spot Bitcoin ETF options needed “to clear” after gaining approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On Oct. 18, the SEC approved applications from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) to list the long-anticipated options for spot Bitcoin ETFs.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.