Grayscale GBTC to ETF approval by US SEC would be a double-edged sword, Bloomberg analysts

Grayscale won in its prolonged case against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The asset manager's appeal to have its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) converted to a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) finally bore fruit after the US District Circuit Court gave a positive ruling. According to Bloomberg analysts, the approval materializing into an actual conversion would provide a paradigm shift in the market, helping and hurting at the same time.

Also Read: Breaking: Grayscale wins lawsuit against US SEC, Bitcoin price nears $28,000

Grayscale GBTC to ETF conversion would cut both ways

According to experts from Bloomberg Intelligence, the SEC ultimately converting Grayscale GBTC to an ETF would have a bearing on several ongoing claims.

First, GBTC investors could finally redeem their fund shares, something the asset manager was struggling with, and reduce fees. These concerns had been raised by FTX's sister firm, Alameda Research. An approval would, therefore, quell the claims levied by the crypto hedge fund.

When Genesis filed for bankruptcy earlier in the year, customers of its yield-bearing product, including Gemini, were revealed to be the largest creditors. It pointed to Gemini selling its GBTC shares, which Genesis had used as collateral. With Grayscale's struggles, there was not enough money to go around, meaning creditor settlement has been an issue.

Conversion of the GBTC to ETF would unlock settlement potential, perhaps achieving a settlement for Gemini earn customers, Genesis, and FTX creditors. More broadly, approval would help every stakeholder suffering exposure to Grayscale.

Potential impact of GBTC to ETF conversion in Grayscale's value

The market responding to the recent victory for GBTC is driving increased demand for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust shares. Citing Bloomberg Intelligence expert James Seyffart:

Once converted to an ETF, GBTC would no longer trade at meaningful discounts or premiums due to the ETF structure's efficiencies.

 As a side note, Grayscale's GBTC discount has been narrowing, meaning investor confidence in the trust has increased. This is also interpreted as increased demand for the shares and could see investors rake in more profit, especially if the discount narrows further or completely disappears.

A Bitcoin Trust is a close-ended fund (CEF). This is different from ETFs, where authorized participants can maintain close value for their assets. Traders can create new shares of an ETF, making money when its market capitalization goes above its stock value. When market capitalization drops relative to the value of stocks, traders can redeem shares.

The GBTC has been trading at a discount to Grayscale's BTC holdings for two years. It got worse during the FTX implosion, with Genesis's woes harming Grayscale, possibly because most firms had betted on Grayscale's narrowing discount while they remained customers of Genesis. When Genesis went under, these firms lost money, thereby affecting their trading strategies. Consequently, GBTC discounts moved from 43% to 50% between November and December.