Yesterday (May 24), the cryptocurrency market witnessed a groundbreaking development: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formally approved 19b-4 filings (exchange rule changes) from eight Ethereum spot ETF issuers, bringing the first-ever Ethereum spot ETF closer to reality.
However, issuers must still await SEC approval of their S-1 registration statements before trading can commence. The SEC has only recently begun discussions with issuers regarding these filings, and the timeline remains uncertain—though analysts speculate it could take weeks.
Predicted Timeline for Ethereum Spot ETF Launch
Discus Fish, founder of Bitcoin mining pool F2Pool and digital asset custodian Cobo, shared insights on platform X, outlining a potential schedule based on Bitcoin ETF precedents:
May 23: ETH 19b-4 unexpectedly approved; market makers start accumulating ETH for liquidity.
Early June: S-1 filings likely approved (minimum two weeks; standard process may take three months).
Mid-June: Trading begins shortly after S-1 approval.
June–December: Initial inflows dominated by retail investors (80–90%); limited institutional participation. ETHE (like GBTC) may face sell pressure from arbitrage opportunities.
Post-December: Gradual institutional adoption expected.
👉 How Ethereum ETFs Could Reshape Crypto Markets
Analyst Perspectives on Launch Timing
Bloomberg’s James Seyffart:
"19b-4 approval ≠ immediate trading. S-1 review takes weeks—possibly longer."
Eric Balchunas (Bloomberg):
"One-round S-1 review could mirror Bitcoin ETF’s two-week cycle. Mid-June remains plausible."
Price Projections: ETH Could Reach $8,000 by 2024
Geoff Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s Head of FX and Digital Asset Research, predicts:
- ETF-driven inflows: 2.39M–9.15M ETH ($15B–$45B) within 12 months post-approval.
- ETH/BTC ratio: 5.4% through 2024. If BTC hits $150K, ETH could surge to $8,000.
"Our $15K year-end Bitcoin forecast implies $8K Ethereum."
👉 Why Institutional Investors Are Eyeing Ethereum
FAQ
Q1: When will Ethereum spot ETFs start trading?
A: Mid-June 2024 is probable, pending S-1 approvals.
Q2: Will these ETFs trigger ETH price volatility?
A: Initial retail-driven inflows may cause fluctuations; long-term stability hinges on institutional participation.
Q3: How does Ethereum’s ETF path compare to Bitcoin’s?
A: Similar regulatory hurdles, but ETH’s approval process has been faster—reflecting SEC’s evolving crypto stance.
Q4: What’s the long-term price impact of ETH ETFs?
A: Analysts project sustained growth, with $8K ETH possible by late 2024 if BTC reaches $150K.