• SEC Chair Gary Gensler has cleared the air that no approval for ETFs yet, the earlier X post hinted at Spot Bitcoin ETFs approval was only a hoax.

A SEC post had hinted at spot Bitcoin ETF approval, only to reveal a surprising twist moments after.

Pressure has mounted on the SEC as industry voices have pushed for broader access to digital assets.

Analysts have remained optimistic about a potential approval despite the confusion.

A surprise tweet from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) official X account sent ripples through the crypto market on Tuesday, claiming the agency had finally greenlit spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

See Also: US SEC Warns Against FOMO On Bitcoin Spot ETFs

SEC Account Hacked

However, the jubilation was short-lived, as SEC Chair Gary Gensler quickly took to his own X account to clarify: the tweet was a hoax, and the regulator had not actually approved any spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Gensler confirmed that the SEC’s X account had been compromised and stressed that “The @SECGov twitter account was compromised, and an unauthorized tweet was posted.”

The @SECGov twitter account was compromised, and an unauthorized tweet was posted. The SEC has not approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin exchange-traded products.

— Gary Gensler (@GaryGensler) January 9, 2024

The news sent shockwaves through the market with Bitcoin exhibiting massive amounts of volatility on the news, leaving investors uncertain about the fate of long-awaited spot Bitcoin ETFs. 

Analyst Optimism Remains

These products, which track the price of bitcoin directly, have been hotly debated by the SEC for years, with proponents arguing they would provide wider access to the digital asset and opponents raising concerns about market manipulation and investor protection.

Despite the confusion, many analysts remain optimistic that the SEC will finally approve spot Bitcoin ETFs in the near future. The agency has been under increasing pressure from both industry players and the public to do so, and several applications are currently under review.

See Also: The Approval Of Spot Bitcoin ETFs Is Inevitable – Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton

In fact, contrary to assumptions that the ETF news was already priced in, market reactions post-announcement, and retraction proved otherwise.

The SEC’s susceptibility to cyber breaches might affect its ability to effectively oversee and regulate complex financial instruments like Bitcoin ETFs.

Regardless of the tweet’s origin, the episode underscores the heightened anticipation surrounding the SEC’s impending decision. 

Whether it’s a digital hiccup or a glimpse into the future, Wednesday’s potential announcement is poised to send shockwaves through the financial landscape and determine the course of bitcoin’s integration into mainstream markets.