One of the important developments in the cryptocurrency world is the approval of spot Bitcoin ETF applications by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 10, 2024. However, there are also various risks that could affect the cryptocurrency market behind this approval.
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With the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, the choice of storage platforms preferred by major financial firms is of great importance. The preference for massive platforms such as Coinbase and Gemini could lead to a trend of concentrating Bitcoin accumulation in these platforms in one place. Jameson Lopp, CTO of Casa, has warned that this could increase the potential security risks. Especially these platforms can become direct targets in possible bad scenarios, and this could damage the distributed structure, which is one of the basic principles of cryptocurrency.
Possibility of Government Intervention (Bitcoin ETF)
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs could raise the possibility of more government intervention in cryptocurrencies. The accumulation of Bitcoin on large platforms could increase the likelihood of governments intervening or even seizing these platforms. This could pose a threat to the libertarian and decentralized structure of cryptocurrency.
Future Governance Disputes
The future governance issues of Bitcoin ETFs are related to the desire of financial firms to move the Bitcoin network to a different governance model. In particular, the desire of large financial institutions to move the Bitcoin network to the proof-of-stake (PoS) method could lead to discussions within the Bitcoin community. The community may be divided on whether to approve such changes, and this includes efforts to change the core protocols of Bitcoin.
Assessment of the Analysis
Jeffrey Ross’s assessment is that these risks could be exaggerated. According to Ross, major financial firms will take the necessary precautions to keep customer assets safe. However, analysts who disagree with this view believe that shaking the principles of security and decentralization, especially, is a major source of concern in the cryptocurrency world.
Preferences of the Younger Generations
This process could affect the way younger generations view cryptocurrency investments in the future. As Ross pointed out, younger generations may prefer direct Bitcoin investment over traditional ETFs. This could put more emphasis on the original value of cryptocurrency and the principles of decentralization.
The approval of Bitcoin ETF could close a period in the cryptocurrency world, while it calls on the players in the sector to be more careful with the risks it brings. In this period, security, decentralization principles, and community participation are emerging as important keys. The future of the cryptocurrency market seems to be dependent on how these dynamics evolve.