The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has approved its first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which will commence trading on 20 June, 2024. The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC) will be issued by investment firm VanEck, as confirmed in a press release shared with Cointelegraph. This approval follows the launch of VanEck’s spot Bitcoin ETF, the VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL), in the United States on January 11.
Arian Neiron, CEO for VanEck in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasized the growing demand for Bitcoin exposure in Australia through regulated and transparent investment vehicles. “We recognize Bitcoin as an emerging asset class that many advisers and investors want to access,” Neiron stated. He added that VBTC simplifies Bitcoin investment by handling the technical aspects of acquiring, storing, and securing digital assets.
This marks the first approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF by the ASX, although Australia has seen two other Bitcoin ETFs launch over the past two years. Recently, the Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (IBTC) began trading on the Cboe Australia exchange on June 4. Monochrome ensures IBTC’s holdings are stored offline, adhering to Australian institutional custody regulatory standards. The Global X 21 Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC) became the first Bitcoin ETF to debut in Australia in April 2022.
The approval of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF on ASX is expected to attract significant capital inflows from Australia’s pension fund market as investors seek portfolio diversification through digital assets. This trend is gaining momentum globally, with jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Australia showing increasing interest in similar products. Sydney-based BetaShares Holdings Pty and DigitalX Ltd. are also preparing to list Bitcoin ETFs on the main Australian board.
The global push towards Bitcoin ETFs is evident, with regions such as Hong Kong approving their initial batch of crypto-related spot ETFs last April. This move positions Hong Kong as a potential digital asset leader and reflects a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency investment vehicles worldwide.
ETFs play a crucial role in increasing investor trust and financial flow within the cryptocurrency sphere. By offering a regulated and transparent way to gain exposure to digital assets, ETFs mitigate the complexities and risks associated with direct cryptocurrency investments. This regulatory framework fosters a stable environment, encouraging more traditional investors to enter the crypto market, thereby enhancing liquidity and market stability.
