Dogecoin Founder Questions Ethereum ETF Approval | Coinspeaker

Dogecoin Founder Questions Ethereum ETF Approval

Dogecoin founder Billy Markus said that SEC has lost its integrity, and any positive outcomes are unlikely until its integrity is restored.

Bena Ilyas By Bena Ilyas Julia Sakovich Edited by Julia Sakovich Updated 3 mins read
Dogecoin Founder Questions Ethereum ETF Approval
Photo: Shutterstock

The wait is almost over for the crypto industry as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to deliver its verdict on applications for Ethereum-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With decision dates set for May 23rd and 24th for applications from VanEck and ARK Invest, respectively, anticipation is high, but skepticism lingers.

This skepticism is fueled by recent comments from Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus, who expressed pessimism about the chances of approval due to the SEC’s “compromised” state. Markus’s remarks align with concerns raised by financial lawyer Scott Johnsson, who highlights Ethereum’s classification as a security-like asset, unlike Bitcoin, which has already secured ETF approvals.

“I don’t think it’s that important personally. The SEC is compromised anyway, nothing good will come out of it until the house is cleaned,” said Markus.

SEC Reluctance on Ethereum ETFs

According to Roshan Shah, the Co-founder and CEO of Decimal Digital Currency, the regulators are not yet ready to approve Ether ETFs. Investors in ETFs have started to understand Bitcoin recently, whereas the situation of Ether is quite complex.

Gensler, the Chair of the SEC, has publicly referred to Bitcoin as a commodity rather than a security. Consensys, a blockchain company, filed a lawsuit against the SEC in April. The primary objective of the lawsuit is to prove in Court that Ether is not security.

Shah has also expressed his doubts about another reason regulators are not approving Ether ETF. Shah wrote in the E-mail that regulators worry that the Bitcoin ETF will become a significant door for access to the public market for various other digital assets.

Investor Sentiment and Market Impact

Despite­ the 24.73% discount in Grayscale Ethere­um Trust (ETHE), a closed-end fund, the price­ of ETH is far below its face value as of May 16. This marks a lack of confide­nce in the possible approval to launch an ETF. Contrarily, Grayscale­ Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) showed a reduction in the discount last ye­ar, supporting the argument for ETF conversion.

A downfall in Ethereum price­ is expecte­d in the short term as the majority of inve­stors are moving their attention to Bitcoin. Although Ethe­r saw an impressive 61% ­ surge in price in the last year, it is way be­hind Bitcoin, which reflected the­ investor skepticism eve­n more with its outstanding 142% uptick in price.

The May 23 and 24 resolutions will be the focal point for the Ethe­reum community. Even though regulatory hurdles remain, the potential for le­gal disputes and future securitie­s approvals remains a primary hope for wider Ethe­reum adoption.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

SEC Crypto News, Dogecoin (DOGE) News, Funds & ETFs, Market News, News
Bena Ilyas
Author Bena Ilyas

With over 3 years of crypto writing experience, Bena strives to make crypto, blockchain, Web3, and fintech accessible to all. Beyond cryptocurrencies, Bena also enjoys reading books in her spare time.

Bena Ilyas on X