Coinbase, the San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange, is exploring the creation of a crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF). To do so, it has sought help from $6 trillion asset manager BlackRock.
Coinbase is known for its versatile business model that appeals to retail investors. Its services include trading of Bitcoin (BTC) Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH) Ethereum Classic (ETC), and Litecoin (LTC), venture capital, asset management, custody, and brokerage. According to sources, Coinbase is now looking to launch an exchange-traded product tied to crypto prices, as a way to allow institutional investors to gain access to the volatile crypto markets via the stock exchange.
In recent weeks, Coinbase has engaged in conversations with individuals from BlackRock's blockchain group in order to leverage the firm's expertise at launching exchange-traded products. An early pioneer of the ETF market, BlackRock is renowned for its popular, low-cost iShares family of ETFs.
BlackRock's blockchain group, created in 2015, draws employees across its many divisions. The group's goal is to identify blockchain-related technology applications in financial services. It is unclear if the talks were part of ongoing conversations between Coinbase and BlackRock. BlackRock representatives declined to comment on the developments.
Sources stated that BlackRock has no interest in being a crypto fund issuer itself. CEO Larry Fink recently said the firm's clients have not expressed interest in the $300 billion market for digital currencies and crypto assets. He referred to Bitcoin as an "index of money laundering." It seems BlackRock will solely be advising Coinbase in its ETF endeavors.
If Coinbase were to pursue creating a crypto ETF, it would join numerous other firms also looking to launch their own, including rival exchange Gemini, Bitwise Asset Management, and VanEck. Several firms have seen their ETF applications rejected by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Sources stated that the Coinbase ETF would also likely track a number of coins, not just Bitcoin (BTC). A Bitcoin ETF has been viewed as a next step in gaining legitimacy as an asset class and could lead to the entrance of more institutional money into the crypto markets.
Coinbase has recently introduced innovations like support for British pounds. Coinbase's ETF would need to address the same market transparency and manipulation issues that persuaded the SEC to shoot down 9 ETF proposals. Nevertheless, Coinbase's conversations with BlackRock support the idea that crypto's appeal is growing among traditional Wall Street circles. The plans are part of Coinbase's vision to add security tokens, offer global service, and become the New York Stock exchange of cryptocurrency.
The author owns a small amount of BTC and LTC.