Bitcoin ETF Approval Is Likely to Benefit Institutional Investors: Goldman Sachs

ETFs offer better investor protection, increased liquidity and lower tracking error than closed-end funds and trusts, the report said.

AccessTimeIconJan 11, 2024 at 9:15 a.m. UTC
Updated Mar 8, 2024 at 7:44 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Institutional investors may benefit from the approval of spot bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as these products will allow them to trade a proxy with low management fees and engage more actively in arbitrage strategies and options hedging, Goldman Sachs (GS) said in a report.

Spot bitcoin ETFs were finally approved in the U.S. on Wednesday, a decade after they were first proposed, in a move that dramatically widens access to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. These groundbreaking products will begin trading today.

  • Can Blockchain Impact the History of Art?
    00:59
    Can Blockchain Impact the History of Art?
  • Is Meme Coin Demand Stronger Than Ever?
    00:57
    Is Meme Coin Demand Stronger Than Ever?
  • Binance Fired Investigator Who Uncovered Client Market Manipulation; 'Boden' Memecoin Surges
    02:20
    Binance Fired Investigator Who Uncovered Client Market Manipulation; 'Boden' Memecoin Surges
  • What Happens if ETH Is Deemed a Security?
    20:00
    What Happens if ETH Is Deemed a Security?
  • For full coverage of bitcoin ETFs, click here.

    Other benefits include “investor protection afforded by ETFs, better liquidity compared to BTC access via private funds, given the ability to trade in and out; lower tracking error in comparison to close-ended funds and trusts, ETF vehicle leverages on standard accounting and reporting processes in context of portfolio management,” the report said.

    The bank said investors will also get exposure to BTC without having to assume the risks associated with self-custody, adding that the involvement of household ETF providers such as Blackrock (BLK) and Fidelity lends “experience and credibility in managing these vehicles.”

    Goldman warned that investors should also be wary about potential drawbacks.

    “Time to market and demand across institutional investors may not be immediate,” the bank said, cautioning that “any long-term sustainable demand for spot BTC ETFs will be subject to product suitability and broader market adoption.”

    “Investors do not own physical BTC, and rely on the ETF manager’s ability to effectively carry out the management strategy, which includes a number of risks,” the note said. ETF trading hours are also limited to default market hours, as opposed to the 24/7 continuous trading that is available on crypto native exchanges, the note added.

    Investors should also be cautious about the potential for market volatility following the approvals, the report added.

    Edited by Sheldon Reback.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Author placeholder image

    Will Canny is CoinDesk's finance reporter.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.