Bitcoin ETFs Launch 15 Years After Hal Finney’s Historic Tweet

Hal Finney, the renowned cypherpunk, made history with his tweet “Running bitcoin” on Jan. 11, 2009. This was the beginning of a new era as he became the first individual, after Satoshi Nakamoto, to interact with Bitcoin by downloading and running its software.

Finney, who passed away in August 2014, played a pivotal role in Bitcoin’s early development and even foresaw its potential growth. In a notable email to Nakamoto, he predicted that Bitcoin could eventually reach extraordinary values.

Fast forward to the present, Bitcoin has evolved from a little-known internet token to a major financial asset, reaching a trillion-dollar market cap at its peak. On the 15th anniversary of Finney’s legendary tweet, the cryptocurrency world witnessed a significant milestone. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today approved the first spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). This approval is a huge positive nod to the cryptocurrency sector, offering a regulated investment vehicle for both individual and institutional investors.

Among the approved Bitcoin ETF providers are financial heavyweights such as BlackRock and Fidelity. Additionally, Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, a popular choice among crypto investors, has been upgraded to an ETF. These products offer varied fee structures, ranging from zero fees in the initial months (as offered by ARK, Bitwise, and Invesco) to fees as high as 1.5% (as seen with Grayscale).

The introduction of these regulated Bitcoin ETFs is a game-changer. It simplifies investment in Bitcoin, allowing investors to gain exposure to the digital asset without the complexities and risks associated with managing a cryptocurrency wallet.