- Grayscale’s filing to introduce a Hedera ETF on Nasdaq has been accepted for review by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- A three-week public review period has begun, allowing stakeholders to weigh in before the SEC makes its final call on the ETF filing.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially acknowledged Grayscale Investments’ proposal for a Hedera (HBAR) exchange-traded fund (ETF). This development follows the Nasdaq Stock Market’s submission of a 19b-4 filing to the SEC on behalf of Grayscale, as we reported on March 4. Notably, Nasdaq had previously filed a similar 19b-4 form for Canary Capital’s spot HBAR ETF, highlighting the growing interest in regulated investment products for Hedera’s native cryptocurrency.
Grayscale aims to list a spot HBAR ETF on the Nasdaq Stock Market and offer investors direct exposure to HBAR without requiring them to hold the asset directly. The proposed ETF will have key institutional players involved, with BNY Mellon Asset Servicing expected to act as the administrator and transfer agent, Coinbase Custody Trust Company serving as the custodian, and CSC Delaware Trust Company fulfilling the role of trustee.
Grayscale’s push for an HBAR ETF aligns with its ongoing efforts to expand its crypto investment portfolio, with additional filings for ETFs linked to Polkadot (DOT), Ripple (XRP), Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). The timing of these filings coincides with growing optimism for a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, particularly as U.S. President Donald Trump has begun implementing policies that favor digital assets.
With the SEC’s acknowledgment, the proposal enters a critical phase. A 21-day public comment period is now open, allowing stakeholders to submit their insights, concerns, or support for the ETF proposal. Once this period concludes, the SEC will review the feedback and assess the potential impact of the ETF. Based on its evaluation, the SEC will then decide whether to approve, disapprove, or extend the review process, which could further delay the final decision.
Hedera’s Market Response
Following the announcement of Grayscale’s HBAR ETF proposal acknowledgement, Hedera experienced a notable price surge. As of now, it ranks as the 13th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, valued at approximately $8 billion. In the last 24 hours, HBAR has risen by 2.94% to reach $0.1990, with trading volumes increasing by 13.7% to $615 million, reflecting heightened market interest.
Technical indicators suggest a double-bottom pattern forming on the 12-hour chart, hinting at a possible move toward $0.25 if the bullish trend continues. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently stands at 46.60, reflecting neutral market conditions without clear buying or selling pressure.
Looking ahead, Coincodex predicts that Hedera’s price could rise by 14.97%, reaching approximately $0.233 by April 11, 2025. Given the significant price surge Bitcoin experienced following the approval of a BTC ETF, a similar approval for an HBAR ETF could act as a major catalyst for Hedera’s price. Additionally, a successful launch might encourage more asset managers to file for their own HBAR ETFs, further legitimizing and strengthening the asset’s position in the crypto market.
