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Title: Grayscale Makes a Bold Move to Uplist Shares in Pursuit of Bitcoin ETF

Cryptocurrency giant Grayscale has sparked attention in the finance world with its bid to launch the first Bitcoin ETF, which could potentially lead to a significant advantage over other competitors in the industry.

Uplist Plan for Bitcoin ETF

Bloomberg and CNBC Media journalist Jeff John Roberts came across the term “uplist” while investigating Grayscale’s move to position itself as the first company to launch a Bitcoin ETF. This strategy, known as an uplist, involves the transfer of securities from a lesser-known stock exchange to a more mainstream one. In the case of Grayscale, this would entail moving GBTC shares from the OTCQX platform to the well-established New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) while simultaneously converting its existing trust product to a traditional ETF.

Potential Competitive Advantage

According to a source at Grayscale, opting for an uplist could enable the firm to bring its ETF to the market more quickly than its rivals, proving to be a critical advantage as the first ETF in a given field often captures the majority of liquidity. However, it’s uncertain whether Grayscale will seize this opportunity, and finance enthusiasts are encouraged to follow reports from financial analysts and industry experts for insights into the likelihood of this occurring.

Uncertainties and Market Dynamics

One of the wildcards surrounding Grayscale’s ETF bid is the pricing strategy it intends to adopt. Industry dynamics indicate that the company may need to adjust its fee, especially in response to ARK Invest’s decision to charge 0.8%. Grayscale is expected to charge a competitive rate; however, given the potential tax implications for investors considering switching to a different ETF, they may elect to maintain their current holdings.

Additionally, the company faces uncertainties regarding the number of investors who may choose to sell their GBTC shares once the ETF is launched, potentially exiting the Bitcoin market entirely in pursuit of alternative investments. Estimates suggest that potential outflows could amount to $2.7 billion, amplifying the unpredictability of the situation.

Awaiting January’s Arrival

The impending arrival of Bitcoin ETFs in early January is anticipated to bring clarity to these speculations. For now, the outcomes remain conjecture, and investors and industry experts await concrete answers in the coming weeks.

The story was first reported on Fortune.com and written by Jeff John Roberts, who can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @jeffjohnroberts.