LedgerX Approved to Trade Bitcoin Futures
LedgerX, a trading and clearing platform for Bitcoin, became the first company to be approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to trade Bitcoin futures. This is one of a few of available current events that shows that Bitcoin is on the verge of being overseen by federal agencies that deal with market regulations.
LedgerX was approved by being a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) by CFTC. Previously, they have been given approval as a swap execution facility (SEF). The company is planning to begin Bitcoin options trading services this fall.
It is evident that investors are ambitious to participate in the crypto marketplace that will soon be giving the option to hedge investments to be protected against asset volatility. According to a Morgan Stanley report titled “Blockchain: Unchained?”, the price of Bitcoin will significantly accelerate when the government starts to regulate the markets where Bitcoins are traded.
SEC Hesitant on Bitcoin
Although CFTC, with its cardinal mission to create a fair market, is giving acceptance to crypto market ventures, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking an opposing stance. Earlier this year in February, the SEC denied Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF proposal. The SEC’s rationale is that the crypto market is too unregulated. In a 38 page memorandum they stated that “The Commission has … emphasized the importance of surveillance-sharing agreements between the national securities exchange listing and trading the ETP, and significant markets relating to the underlying asset.” The memorandum asserted that ETFs must have rules that prevent market machinations and manipulations. The SEC, with a mission of protecting investors, believes that the lack of regulations in the Bitcoin market creates an environment where it would be tough to effectively enforce rules.
However, some speculate that one federal agency approval can lead to the next federal agency’s approval. It’s a step by step process and regulations will gradually be created and be implemented.
