Jan 09, 2024
CFB Talks Digital Assets Episode 20: An Insider’s View of the Spot Bitcoin ETF saga with Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan
It's crunch time for the seven major investment management firms aiming to use our CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant (BRRNY) to benchmark the first U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs! The SEC is expected to come to a final decision in coming days. A 'yes' will change the face of mainstream investing forever. At this critical juncture, we are honoured and unbelievably fortunate to have Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer of Bitwise, as our guest on the latest CFB Talks Digital Assets podcast. Matt is, of course, one of the best-known, and most widely respected, institutional digital asset leaders, at one of the longest established institutional crypto investment firms. You do not want to miss his accredited insider's view of the run-up to this potential watershed moment! Plus, his assessment of how things will shake out if, and when, access to Bitcoin in the mass-market ETF wrapper finally becomes a reality.
Listen in to our exclusive conversation for Matt's take on the highlights below, and more...
- Don't believe the FUD - spot bitcoin ETFs really will transform access to crypto
- Why in-kind creation and redemption is the best share creation method, and why
it's likely to prevail in time, despite the SEC's preference for cash
- How BRRNY's unmatched institutional liquidity gives the firms using our
benchmark the edge for tracking and replication
- How 'The Most Interesting Man In the World' came to star in 'The Most Viral
Investing Commercial For Years'!
- Matt's outlook for crypto in 2024
The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell any of the underlying instruments cited including but not limited to cryptoassets, financial instruments or any instruments that reference any index provided by CF Benchmarks Ltd. This communication is not intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. Please contact your financial adviser or professional before making an investment decision.
Note: Some of the underlying instruments cited within this material may be restricted to certain customer categories in certain jurisdictions.
Weekly Index Highlights, June 30, 2025
Digital assets rebounded on easing tensions. CF Capitalization rose 6–7%, thematic indices 8–11%. ETH staking yield fell to 2.65%, Solana’s rose to 6.64%. BVXS hit a low, CME options skew flattened, and realized volatility climbed to 29.81.
CF Benchmarks
CF Benchmarks Newsletter Issue 85
Qualified opinion offers a strong counterpoint to implied negative interpretations of the pace at which the SEC is progressing the digital asset product market.
Ken Odeluga
Weekly Index Highlights, June 23, 2025
The digital asset market plunged last week amid Iran conflict fears. Cardano led losses (–18.91%), followed by AVAX (–18.44%), SOL (–17.99%), ETH (–17%), LINK (–17%), and XRP (–13.98%). BTC dropped 6.86%, trimming YTD gain to 6.45%. Investors grew risk-averse.
CF Benchmarks