Table of Contents
Deceptive BlackRock Filing Causes Ripple Effect in Crypto Markets and Regulatory Landscape
- Falsified BlackRock filing for “iShares XRP Trust” triggers a 12.3% surge and subsequent plummet in XRP prices within 30 minutes.
- Industry experts, including Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas, downplay the impact on SEC’s decision for Bitcoin ETFs but acknowledge the incident’s unfortunate optics.
- Legal perspectives from Michael Bacina and assurances from Yield App CEO Lucas Kiely provide insights into the unlikelihood of the SEC delaying ETF applications based on the isolated hoax incident.
On November 13, a surge in XRP’s price was triggered by a deceptive filing claiming BlackRock’s establishment of the “iShares XRP Trust.” This incident raised questions about its potential impact on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision regarding spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The falsified filing on the Delaware list of corporations website indicated BlackRock’s intention to launch an XRP-based ETF. This led to a rapid surge in XRP’s value, soaring by 12.3% within 30 minutes. However, the enthusiasm was short-lived as the filing was swiftly debunked by industry experts, including Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, causing XRP’s price to plummet.
Industry Observers and SEC’s Perspective
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas downplayed the impact of the fake XRP filing on the SEC’s decision, expressing skepticism about its significance for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Despite the unfortunate incident, Balchunas doubted a substantial effect on the regulatory landscape.
The SEC’s historical concerns about market manipulation in the Bitcoin market have led to rejections of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Citing a lack of market manipulation controls, the SEC has maintained a cautious stance regarding the approval of such ETFs, contributing to a prolonged evaluation process.
Legal expert Michael Bacina, from Piper Alderman, dismissed the likelihood of the SEC using the XRP hoax incident as grounds to postpone ETF applications. His view is grounded in the perception that isolated rumors, like the XRP filing, are unlikely to form a legal basis for delaying ongoing ETF evaluations. Yield App CEO Lucas Kiely echoed this sentiment, asserting that the XRP incident is unlikely to significantly influence the SEC’s ultimate decision on Bitcoin ETFs.
Potential Impact on Bitcoin ETF Launch
Crypto analyst James Edwards argued that events such as the XRP hoax filing could pose challenges for launching a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. Edwards emphasized the need for ETF applicants, like BlackRock, to demonstrate their capability to shield clients from market manipulation and fraud, especially given the opaque nature of crypto markets.
The XRP surge fueled by a hoax filing underscores the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the regulatory environment for cryptocurrency-based financial products. While industry observers and experts downplay the immediate impact on SEC decisions, the incident highlights the importance of addressing market manipulation concerns to pave the way for the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the future.
Enhance Your Crypto Trading Skills With Our Legends’ Trading Masterclass
Empower your crypto trading skills with our Legends Masterclass. Sign up now and take advantage of our limited-time discount offer! Join the class today.
