[2019-01-10] Will Japan Approve a Bitcoin ETF?

[aalfadhala]

Bloomberg have this week reported that the Financial Services Agency in Japan is considering a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). According to the article, the agency is currently investigating the level of popularity such a move would have in the country, having distanced itself from the possibility of Bitcoin futures.

Read more: https://coinlu.com/will-japan-approve-a-bitcoin-etf/

[Harlot]

I won't be surprised at all if Japan will be the first country to have Bitcoin ETFs sooner than the US. This might be a opportunity loss for the US SEC but I think they are purposely delaying their decision until some country will step in their position so that they themselves can monitor the effect of Bitcoin ETFs to that country. The Japanese government has proven that they are quick when it comes to their regulatory frameworks on cryptocurrencies if this rumor happens to be true we might see the first Bitcoin ETF as early as the first quarter of this year.

[btyco]

If there are any large investment firms with a branch in tokyo then they can offer it to their clients, they just need to agree to the terms and then their bitcoin experts csn trade there on their behalf

[Kemarit]

Most likely we will see Japan going on that direction, but not this year though. The articles says that they are considering so it may take some time though as they need to study how it will affect their crypto involved specially what positive consequence it can bring to their country. Good thing is that Japan is really committed full support on crypto so it will just be a matter of time before FSA will approved it, might be even gave the go signal ahead of US SEC.

[BitHodler]

Good thing is that Japan is really committed full support on crypto so it will just be a matter of time before FSA will approved it, might be even gave the go signal ahead of US SEC.

I am inclined to think that it may result in the SEC to be less tempted to approve an ETF because it will make Asia as a whole an even bigger player in the crypto industry, which is one of their main concerns and admittedly a big deal.

If we look at how Japan is taxing crypto currencies in the most ridiculous way, this ETF might be a convenient tool for large investors to avoid paying 55% in capital gains. In other words, there is an incentive to buy into this ETF.

What we don't know is whether or not the ETF Japan might be going to approve whenever they are ready, will be backed by Bitcoin or not. In case it isn't, there nothing to be excited about because we don't need more empty products.

[gentlemand]

There could be ETFs in every country in the world apart from America, but the pathetic thing is that people would still solely be focused on the SEC patting them on the bum and telling them to go play.

[gabbie2010]

 US foot dragging or delaying  even postponing SEC ETF approval is taking much time even the scheduled approval come February is not certain while the Japanese government  taking up its own SEC ETF initiative is a welcome development other Asian countries might follow suit invariably may force the US to take final stand on its own approval.

[1Referee]

US foot dragging or delaying  even postponing SEC ETF approval is taking much time even the scheduled approval come February is not certain

IIRC, there technically is no way for the SEC to delay it once again, so it will be approved or rejected, which I am very happy with. VanEck's approval is the best they'll be getting, so there is no way to improve anything on their side. It's purely the SEC that keeps asking for silly questions that even when answered and corrected, has no influence over the actual process of the approval at all.

It's what governments always do when you ask them to approve something; delay, delay, delay, then reject for a reason no one can do anything about.

I'm certain that the SEC never had any intention to let an ETF go through.