The US Securities and Exchange Commission has denied a request to list what would have been the first US exchange-traded fund built to track Bitcoin, sending the price of the digital currency plunging.Investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have been trying for more than three years to convince the SEC to let them bring the Bitcoin ETF to market.CBOE's Bats exchange had applied to list the ETF.In response to the rejection, the digital currency's price fell as much as 18 percent in trading before rebounding slightly.It last traded down 7.8 percent to US$1098.Bitcoin had scaled to a record of nearly US$1300 this month, higher than the price of an ounce of gold, as investors speculated that an ETF holding the digital currency could woo more people into buying the asset.Bitcoin is a virtual currency that can be used to move money around the world quickly and with relative anonymity, without the need for a central authority, such as a bank or government.Yet it presents a new set of risks to investors given its limited adoption, a number of massive security breaches affecting bitcoin owners, and the lack of consistent treatment of the assets by governments.

"Based on the record before it, the commission believes that the significant markets for Bitcoin are unregulated," the SEC said in a statement."The commission notes that Bitcoin is still in the relatively early stages of its development and that, over time, regulated Bitcoin-related markets of significant size may develop."bitcoin to gbp graphThe regulators have questions and concerns about how the funds would work and whether they could be priced and trade effectively, according to a financial industry source familiar with the SEC's thinking.bitcoin bootable usb"We began this journey almost four years ago, and are determined to see it through," Tyler Winklevoss, CFO of Digital Asset Services, said.bitcoin utopia"We agree with the SEC that regulation and oversight are important to the health of any marketplace and the safety of all investors."ethereum nz

The Winklevoss twins are best known for their feud with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg over whether he stole the idea for what became the world's most popular social networking website from them.The former Olympic rowers ultimately settled their legal dispute, which was dramatised in the 2010 film The Social Network.papa johns bitcoinSince then they have become major investors in the digital currency, which relies on mining computers that validate blocks of transactions by competing to solve mathematical puzzles.bitcoin wie teuerThe first to solve the puzzle and clear the transaction is rewarded with new bitcoins.bitcoin capital crypto fundSolutions to the puzzle come roughly every 10 minutes.hungary bitcoin exchange

Advocates of the currency and the technology it relies on to document transactions, blockchain, were dismayed by the ruling."How do we develop well-capitalised and regulated markets in the US and Europe if financial innovators aren't allowed to bring products to market that grow domestic demand for digital currencies like Bitcoin?"buying bitcoins via moneygramasked Jerry Brito, executive director of Coin Centre, an advocacy group.Spencer Bogart, head of research at Blockchain Capital, said bitcoin's price could fall as much as 20 percent but that its long-term adoption will continue.A Bats spokeswoman said the exchange was reviewing the SEC's statement and had no further comment.There are two other bitcoin ETF applications awaiting a verdict from the SEC.Grayscale Investments Bitcoin Investment Trust, backed by early bitcoin advocate Barry Silbert and his Digital Currency Group, filed an application last year.

SolidX Partners, a US technology company that provides blockchain services, also filed its ETF application last year.SEC to make final decision on Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, owners and founders of the Winklevos Bitcoin Trust, will know within a week if their application for a Bitcoin-based exchange traded fund (ETF) has been approved.Officials from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) met with the twins on 14th February to go over their proposal, with a decision due on 11th March.An approved ETF would make trading much easier for small-time operators and institutions and would give the cryptocurrency an extra boost at a time when it is already experiencing historic levels of growth and stability.Up to $300 million could flow into a Bitcoin ETF within the first week, Spencer Bogart, Head of Research at Blockchain Capital, told Bloomberg.Bitcoin prices have risen by 28% so far in 2017, having experienced a crash in January.The Winklevoss ETF is one of three Bitcoin vehicles aiming for approval, joining the Bitcoin Investment Trust and the SolidX Bitcoin Trust.

If the SEC reject the proposal, one of the other Bitcoin ETFs could gain an upper hand, reacting to the concerns of the regulatory body and improving their services.Having been originally filed in July 2013, the Winkelvoss ETF has been amended several times over the years to address changing regulations.[do_widgetid=text-34] SHARE ON TwitterFacebookWhatsAppGoogle+Pin ItDie SEC hat entschieden: Die Securities and Exchange Commission hat den Vorschlag seitens der Winklevoss-Zwillinge, einen Bitcoin ETF zu gründen, abgelehnt.Die letzten Wochen waren voll davon: Wie wird das SEC entscheiden?Was könnte ein ETF für Bitcoin bedeuten.Entsprechend haben viele dieser Entscheidung entgegen gefiebert.Auch wenn es ein paar kritische Stimmen gab, gab es vor allem einen unglaublichen Hype.Und nun wurde das Proposal abgelehnt.Der Markt hat entsprechend reagiert: Die Enttäuschung ist verständlich.Aber ist wirklich alles so schlimm?Wie in einem Artikel vor einigen Tagen angedeutet, wäre auch eine positive Entscheidung mit vielen Fragestellungen und Risiken verbunden gewesen.