SEC Chairman Gary Gensler Approves 11 Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Landmark Decision

The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, cast the deciding vote approving 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a landmark decision on Wednesday. Before the approvals, the securities regulator held a vote on spot bitcoin ETFs, with two commissioners favoring and two opposing. Gensler's vote tipped the scales in favor of approval.

Final Votes on Rule Changes

Before approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held final votes on the rule changes proposed by NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe BZX to list and trade the funds.

Two SEC commissioners, Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, voted for approval, while Caroline Crenshaw and Jaime Lizárraga opposed it. The vote split at 2-2, with Gary Gensler casting the deciding vote in favor of approving spot bitcoin ETFs. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart commented on Thursday:

"For those that missed this detail yesterday in the frenzy. Gensler was the deciding vote to get the bitcoin ETF over the line with a 3-2 vote."

Approved Spot Bitcoin ETFs

The SEC approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs for listing and trading on NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe BZX exchanges following their voting session. The funds started trading Thursday morning.

The approved spot bitcoin ETFs are:

  • ARK 21shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB)
  • Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC)
  • Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC)
  • Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO)
  • Vaneck Bitcoin Trust (HODL)
  • Wisdomtree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW)
  • Bitwise Bitcoin Trust (BITB)
  • Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)
  • Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR)
  • Hashdex Bitcoin ETF (DEFI)
  • Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC)

Despite voting in favor of approving spot bitcoin ETFs, Gensler issued a statement afterward clarifying that the approval doesn't mean the Commission has approved or endorsed bitcoin. Gensler continued to warn investors of the risks of investing in crypto assets. He still views most crypto tokens as securities.

What do you think about SEC Chairman Gary Gensler being the deciding vote on the approval of 11 spot bitcoin ETFs? Let us know in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Invest in Gold for Retirement?

The answer will depend on how many dollars you have saved so far and whether you had gold as an investment option at the time. Consider investing in both.

Not only is it a safe investment but gold can also provide potential returns. Retirement investors will find gold a worthy investment.

While most investments offer fixed rates of return, gold tends to fluctuate. As a result, its value changes over time.

But this doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in gold. Instead, it just means you should factor the fluctuations into your overall portfolio.

Another benefit of gold is that it's a tangible asset. Gold is more convenient than bonds or stocks because it can be stored easily. It is also easily portable.

You can always access gold as long your place it safe. Physical gold is not subject to storage fees.

Investing in gold can help protect against inflation. It's a great way to hedge against rising prices, as gold prices tend to increase along with other commodities.

A portion of your savings can be invested in something that doesn't go down in value. Gold tends to rise when the stock markets fall.

Another benefit to investing in gold? You can always sell it. You can easily liquidate your investment, just as with stocks. It doesn't matter if you are retiring.

If you do decide to invest in gold, make sure to diversify your holdings. You shouldn't try to put all of your eggs into one basket.

Also, don't buy too much at once. Start with a few ounces. You can add more as you need.

Remember, the goal here isn't to get rich quickly. It's not to get rich quickly, but to accumulate enough wealth to no longer need Social Security benefits.

And while gold might not be the best investment for everyone, it could be a great supplement to any retirement plan.

How does a gold IRA account work?

People who wish to invest in precious metals can use Gold Ira accounts as a tax-free investment vehicle.

You can purchase physical gold bullion coins anytime. To start investing in gold, it doesn't matter if you are retired.

The beauty of owning gold as an IRA is you can hold on to it forever. When you die, your gold assets won't be subjected to taxes.

Your heirs will inherit your gold, and not pay capital gains taxes. You don't need to include your gold in your final estate report, as it isn't part of the estate.

To open a gold IRA, you will first need to create an individual retirement account (IRA). Once you've completed this step, an IRA administrator will be appointed to your account. This company acts as a middleman between you and the IRS.

Your gold IRA custodian will handle the paperwork and submit the necessary forms to the IRS. This includes filing annual reports.

Once you've established your gold IRA, you'll be able to purchase gold bullion coins. Minimum deposit required is $1,000 You'll get a higher rate of interest if you deposit more.

You will pay taxes when you withdraw your gold from your IRA. You will be liable for income taxes and penalties if you take the entire amount.

If you only take out a very small percentage of your income, you may not need to pay tax. However, there are some exceptions. There are some exceptions. For instance, if you take out 30% or more from your total IRA assets, federal income taxes will apply plus a 20 percent penalty.

It's best not to take out more 50% of your total IRA investments each year. Otherwise, you'll face steep financial consequences.

What is the benefit of a gold IRA?

Many benefits come with a gold IRA. You can diversify your portfolio with this investment vehicle. You decide how much money is put in each account and when it is withdrawn.

You also have the option to transfer funds from other retirement plans into a IRA. This makes for an easy transition if you decide to retire early.

The best thing is that investing in gold IRAs doesn't require any special skills. They are readily available at most banks and brokerages. You don't have to worry about penalties or fees when withdrawing money.

There are also drawbacks. Gold has historically been volatile. So it's essential to understand why you're investing in gold. Are you looking for growth or safety? Is it for security or long-term planning? Only then will you be able make informed decisions.

If you want to keep your gold IRA open for life, you might consider purchasing more than one ounce. A single ounce isn't enough to cover all of your needs. Depending on your plans for using your gold, you may need multiple ounces.

You don’t necessarily need a lot if you’re looking to sell your gold. You can even get by with less than one ounce. However, you will not be able buy any other items with those funds.

What proportion of your portfolio should you have in precious metals

Before we can answer this question, it is important to understand what precious metals actually are. Precious metals have elements with an extremely high worth relative to other commodity. This makes them extremely valuable for trading and investing. Gold is by far the most common precious metal traded today.

There are also many other precious metals such as platinum and silver. While gold's price fluctuates during economic turmoil, it tends to remain relatively stable. It is not affected by inflation or deflation.

In general, all precious metals have a tendency to go up with the market. They do not always move in the same direction. If the economy is struggling, the gold price tends to rise, while the prices for other precious metals tends to fall. Investors expect lower interest rates which makes bonds less appealing investments.

Contrary to this, when the economy performs well, the opposite happens. Investors favor safe assets like Treasury Bonds, and less precious metals. Since these are scarce, they become more expensive and decrease in value.

Diversifying across precious metals is a great way to maximize your investment returns. It is also a good idea to diversify your investments in precious metals, as prices tend to fluctuate.

Statistics

  • Indeed, several financial advisers interviewed for this article suggest you invest 5 to 15 percent of your portfolio in gold, just in case. (aarp.org)
  • This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
  • Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
  • Contribution limits$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$58,000 or 25% of your annual compensation (whichever is smaller) (lendedu.com)
  • The price of gold jumped 131 percent from late 2007 to September 2011, when it hit a high of $1,921 an ounce, according to the World Gold Council. (aarp.org)

External Links

finance.yahoo.com

law.cornell.edu

wsj.com

irs.gov

How To

How to Buy Physical Gold in An IRA

The easiest way to invest is to buy shares in companies that make gold. But, this approach comes with risks. These companies may not survive the next few years. Even if they do survive, there is still the possibility of losing money to fluctuating gold prices.

Another option is to purchase physical gold. You can either open an account with a bank, online bullion dealer, or buy gold directly from a seller you trust. This option offers the advantages of being able to purchase gold at low prices and easy access (you don’t need to deal directly with stock exchanges). It's also easy to see how many gold you have. The receipt will show exactly what you paid. You'll also know if taxes were not paid. You are also less likely to be robbed than investing in stocks.

However, there can be some downsides. You won't get the bank's interest rates or investment money. Additionally, you won’t be able diversify your holdings. You will remain with the same items you bought. The taxman might also ask you questions about where your gold is located.

BullionVault.com is the best website to learn about gold purchases in an IRA.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
By: Kevin Helms
Title: SEC Chairman Gary Gensler Approves 11 Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Landmark Decision
Sourced From: news.bitcoin.com/sec-chair-gary-gensler-was-the-deciding-vote-approving-spot-bitcoin-etfs/
Published Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 22:30:00 +0000

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