In a pivotal announcement, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) has shared its plans to accept bitcoin and ethereum exchange-traded note (ETN) applications, signaling a significant shift toward incorporating digital currencies into mainstream financial markets.
LSE Announces Acceptance of Crypto ETNs
The launch of bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) ETNs on the LSE platform marks a crucial development for investors looking for regulated avenues into the fast-evolving crypto-asset sector. These instruments are crafted to track the price movements of bitcoin and ethereum, creating a linkage between the dynamic prices of cryptocurrencies and the traditional stock market framework.
“The proposed Crypto ETN: (a) is physically backed, i.e., non-leveraged; (b) has a market price or other value measure of the underlying that is reliable and publicly available,” underlines the emphasis on security and transparency for this innovative product. The fact sheet details also highlight the protection of assets through cold storage, bolstering investor trust in the durability and security of these offerings against online risks.
This move by the LSE to adopt crypto ETNs mirrors the changing regulatory landscape and the growing acceptance of crypto assets in the financial sector. This comes after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom indicated its openness to ETNs linked to cryptocurrencies.
Mikkel Morch, the founder of the digital asset investment fund Ark36, communicated to Bitcoin.com News, stating that Bitcoin’s price elevation to unprecedented peaks coincides with the FCA facilitating the introduction of crypto-connected exchange-traded products.
“This significant regulatory shift not only reflects London’s intention to remain a key player in the financial world but also signals a broader acceptance and institutionalisation of cryptocurrencies,” Morch stated in a note sent to our newsdesk. “The FCA’s move is particularly timely, as the cryptocurrency market anticipates the upcoming Bitcoin halving event, a fundamental mechanism that historically has had a bullish impact on bitcoin’s price due to the reduced supply of new coins entering the market.”
Morch added:
As London seeks to bridge the gap with its European, Middle Eastern and USA counterparts, the confluence of regulatory acceptance, the halving event, and the influence of spot [bitcoin] ETFs could herald a new era of growth and mainstream adoption for cryptocurrencies. The cumulative effect of these factors is likely to sustain the rally and foster a more robust and diversified investment landscape for digital assets.
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