Connect with us

Crypto World

Roundhill’s Election-Event Contract ETFs Could Be Groundbreaking

Published

on

Crypto Breaking News

Roundhill Investments, a US-based ETF issuer, has moved to bring six exchange-traded funds tied to event contracts that bet on the outcome of the 2028 US presidential election. The filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission describes ETFs that would use a specialized derivative known as event contracts to speculate on political results. If approved, the products could broaden access to prediction-market-style exposure within a traditional exchange-traded wrapper, a development that ETF observers characterized as potentially groundbreaking. The six funds cover presidential, Senate, and House outcomes across both major parties: Roundhill Democratic President ETF, Roundhill Republican President ETF, Roundhill Democratic Senate ETF, Roundhill Republican Senate ETF, Roundhill Democratic House ETF, and Roundhill Republican House ETF. The filing also flags that regulators continue to weigh how such instruments should be classified and regulated.

The prospect of an ETF-based route into event contracts has drawn commentary from industry observers. ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted in a post that, if the SEC were to approve the lineup, the impact could be “potentially groundbreaking.” He argued that the ETF structure could unlock a broader set of prediction-market applications that are more accessible to a wide range of investors than raw prediction markets on bespoke platforms. The filing itself describes the objective of the fund tied to the winning election outcome as capital-focused, while cautioning that the other five funds face materially higher risk where investors could see substantial losses.

The Roundhill filing explicitly describes the structure as investing in, or gaining exposure to, a class of instruments known as event contracts. The approach would apply to the presidential outcomes as well as to control of the Senate and the House, spanning both major parties. In the filing, Roundhill underscores that while the fund aiming to capture the ultimate election result seeks capital appreciation, the remaining five ETFs could lose “almost all” of their value, depending on how market events unfold and how the contracts converge on settlement. The document warns that a rapid convergence between opposing event outcomes could trigger sharp NAV movements, a phenomenon described as highly atypical for conventional ETFs.

The regulatory dimension is front and center. The filing notes that US rules governing event contracts are evolving, and any future classification changes or “restrictions” could affect the funds. The document also flags the possibility that policymakers may limit, suspend, modify, or even prohibit certain political outcome contracts, should concerns around investor protection or market integrity intensify. Investors who are uncomfortable with regulatory uncertainty are urged to avoid purchasing shares. The discussion highlights the broader tension between liquidity, innovation, and consumer safeguards in the growing ecosystem of prediction-market-style financial products.

Advertisement

The debate around prediction markets has gained momentum alongside regulatory signals from US authorities. In early February, reports indicated the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) had moved to withdraw a Biden-administration proposal seeking to ban sports and political prediction markets, a sign that a more permissive stance could be emerging for certain forms of event-driven contracts. The regulatory arc remains a key variable shaping how Roundhill’s six ETFs would perform in practice, particularly if classification or restriction decisions shift in coming months. The evolving framework raises questions about how these funds would be priced, settled, and taxed, and whether they would attract meaningful liquidity given the novel nature of the underlying contracts.

Industry observers note that the intersection of traditional equity markets and prediction markets could mark a broader shift in how investors access political risk and price uncertainty. The Roundhill filing arrives as the so-called prediction-market conversation grows more nuanced, with debates about whether such markets should focus on hedging price-exposure risk or remain oriented toward speculative bets on short-term political outcomes. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has weighed in on the topic, arguing that prediction markets, if left to their current trajectory, risk over-convergence on short-horizon bets and price swings that are detached from longer-term value creation. In a widely cited post, he called for shifting toward marketplaces that hedge price exposure for consumers, a stance that aligns with ongoing discussions about consumer protection in digital markets. Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) has become a focal point in these debates as developers and investors consider how to align incentives with real-world utility. For context, Buterin’s remarks have been echoed in discussions around hedging mechanisms and risk controls in prediction-market ecosystems.

The broader conversation around event contracts and their perceived suitability for mainstream investors continues to evolve. The Roundhill proposal sits at a moment when traditional asset managers are experimenting with derivative-like structures to capture political risk, while regulators voice caution about liquidity, reliability, and the integrity of price discovery. The SEC’s review process for these six ETFs will hinge on whether event contracts can offer transparent settlement, robust risk disclosures, and a structure that can scale liquidity to support a diversified investor base. The filing’s emphasis on the potential for significant NAV volatility in the five riskier funds underscores the need for clear risk management frameworks and investor education as these products progress through the regulatory pipeline. For readers, the main takeaway is that the integration of event contracts into an ETF wrapper could represent a notable pivot in how political risk is monetized, even as the regulatory environment remains a decisive constraint on immediate execution.

As the market watches for ongoing developments, the Roundhill filing serves as a litmus test for whether prediction-market-style derivatives can be reconciled with the governance and investor protections that underpin traditional ETFs. While the six-fund lineup targets different political outcomes, the core insight for investors is the relative risk asymmetry: one fund may pursue capital appreciation from the ultimate election result, while the other five grapple with convergence events that can push net asset value sharply in either direction. The path to approval remains uncharted, and the regulatory equation—balancing innovation with safeguards—will likely dictate the pace and shape of any eventual launch. In the meantime, the discourse surrounding prediction markets enters a more formal, regulated phase, with the potential to broaden access to politically linked derivatives for a broader cohort of investors while inviting heightened scrutiny from policymakers and market participants alike.

Advertisement

Why it matters

The Roundhill filing matters because it tests whether prediction-market concepts can be packaged into the familiar ETF format. If approved, it could provide a regulated, transparent avenue for investors to engage with political risk using a market-based mechanism that has historically lived outside mainstream asset management. By packaging six distinct event contracts into a single lineup, the fund family aims to offer diversified exposure to different branches of government, potentially enabling portfolios to hedge or express views on the political calendar without stepping outside established exchange-traded infrastructure.

For the broader crypto and digital-asset discourse, the development signals a continuing convergence between traditional finance instruments and more experimental market ideas. The emergence of ETF-based event contracts could feed into ongoing debates about how to design markets that are resilient, accessible, and protective of ordinary investors while still enabling innovative risk transfer. The attention from figures like Balchunas and the ongoing commentary from prominent crypto thinkers, including Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin, underscores the cross-pollination between traditional ETFs and decentralized finance conversations about hedging, price discovery, and consumer protection. As policymakers refine regulatory guidance, proponents argue that a regulated ETF wrapper could deliver improved transparency, settlement mechanics, and liquidity compared with niche, permissioned prediction platforms.

For participants in the prediction-market space, Roundhill’s approach may set a precedent for how event-driven instruments could be evaluated by mainstream markets. Stakeholders will be watching whether the funds can attract sufficient liquidity, how settlement will be determined, and how sensitive the NAV will be to shifting political narratives and polling trajectories. The tension between potential liquidity gains and risk of rapid NAV swings will be central to any future discussions about the viability of these vehicles in a volatile political landscape.

What to watch next

  • SEC decisions on the Roundhill ETF filings and the final product terms, including eligibility criteria and settlement procedures.
  • Any regulatory updates or guidance on event contracts, including potential reclassifications or restrictions that could affect the funds.
  • Regulatory commentary from the CFTC or other bodies regarding prediction markets and related derivatives.
  • Market liquidity and investor demand for election-related ETFs as the 2028 cycle progresses.

Sources & verification

  • Roundhill’s filing with the SEC detailing six election-event ETFs, including the six fund names and their objectives: SEC filing.
  • Eric Balchunas’s remarks about potential impact if approved: X post.
  • Regulatory discussions around prediction markets and CFTC coverage, including referenced coverage on the Biden-era proposal status: CFTC stance.
  • Vitalik Buterin’s comments on prediction markets and hedging, including his X post: X post, and a related piece on hedging: Buterin hedging discussion.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crypto World

Analysis Puts Bitcoin Price ‘Ultimate’ Bear Market Bottom Near $55,000

Published

on

Analysis Puts Bitcoin Price ‘Ultimate’ Bear Market Bottom Near $55,000

Bitcoin may not have hit true capitulation yet. On chain analytics firm CryptoQuant is warning that the real bear market floor could sit closer to $55,000. That is lower than many bulls want to admit.

If their data is right, the market still has some pain to process before a proper structural base forms. Weak hands may not be fully flushed. And until that final reset happens, calling this the ultimate bottom might be a bit premature.

Key Takeaways

  • CryptoQuant data suggests the “ultimate” bear market bottom is near $55,000 based on realized price models.
  • Bitcoin recently saw $5.4 billion in realized losses on Feb. 5, the highest since March 2023.
  • Key valuation metrics like MVRV and NUPL have not yet reached historical capitulation zones.

Is The Selling Finally Over?

CryptoQuant says we are still in a normal bear phase, not the extreme panic zone that usually marks once in a cycle buying opportunities. In their view, bottoms are not single candles. They are long, messy processes that take time to build.

Meanwhile, price action keeps slipping. ETF outflows are stacking up and Bitcoin losing $66,000 has traders nervous. But according to the data, we still have not seen the kind of pain that typically resets the market.

Advertisement
Source: Coinglass

Bitcoin price is trading more than 25% above its realized price, a level that has historically acted as strong support.

In past cycles like 2018 and the FTX collapse, Bitcoin bottomed 24% to 30% below realized price. If that pattern plays out again, the $55,000 area becomes the zone to watch.

Realized Losses And Valuation Metrics

The latest CryptoQuant data shows real damage under the surface.

On February 5, Bitcoin holders locked in $5.4 billion in daily losses as price slid 14% to $62,000. That was the biggest single day loss since March 2023.

Advertisement

But even with those numbers, key valuation metrics are not flashing full bottom yet.

The MVRV ratio has not dropped into the extreme undervalued zone that usually shows up at cycle lows. The NUPL metric also has not hit the deep unrealized loss levels that typically mark capitulation.

Source: CryptoQuant

Long term holders tell a similar story. Right now, many are selling around breakeven. In past bear market bottoms, they were sitting on losses of 30% to 40%.

If history is any guide, the final phase of capitulation may require a deeper reset before a durable floor forms. Until then, patience may prove more valuable than premature bottom calls.

If Bitcoin Needs Another Reset, Bitcoin Hyper Does Not

Advertisement

When analysts start talking about “true capitulation,” it means one thing. Bitcoin could stay slow and heavy for longer than bulls expect.

That is not the environment for explosive base-layer moves.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is built for momentum regardless of where BTC chops. This Bitcoin-focused Layer-2, powered by Solana technology, adds speed, lower fees, and real on-chain utility without touching Bitcoin core security.

Bitcoin Hyper is already gaining traction. The presale has raised over $31 million so far, with $HYPER priced at $0.0136751 before the next increase, plus staking rewards up to 37%.

Advertisement

If Bitcoin needs more time to bottom, Bitcoin Hyper is positioned to move during the wait.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Analysis Puts Bitcoin Price ‘Ultimate’ Bear Market Bottom Near $55,000 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Elon Musk’s X to Launch Smart Cashtags Enabling In-App Stock and Crypto Trading

Published

on

Elon Musk’s X to Launch Smart Cashtags Enabling In-App Stock and Crypto Trading

Elon Musk’s social media platform X is preparing to roll out a feature that could transform the app from a discussion forum into a trading venue.

Key Takeaways:

  • X plans to launch Smart Cashtags allowing users to trade stocks and cryptocurrencies directly in posts.
  • The feature advances Musk’s vision of turning X into an all-in-one financial and social platform.
  • It will roll out alongside X Money, a peer-to-peer payments system currently in beta testing.

Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, said the company plans to introduce “Smart Cashtags,” a tool that will allow users to buy and sell stocks and cryptocurrencies directly from their timelines.

The feature is expected to arrive within weeks, according to a post published Saturday.

X To Roll Out Smart Cashtags Enabling Stock And Crypto Trades From Posts

Advertisement

“We are launching a number of features in a couple of weeks, including Smart Cashtags that will enable you to trade stocks and crypto directly from the timeline,” Bier wrote.

Bier had previously hinted at the feature in January, sharing an image showing trading functionality embedded in posts, but the company had not confirmed the details at the time.

X previously experimented with financial features. In 2022, it added a basic Cashtag system that displayed price charts and market data for major assets such as Bitcoin and Ether.

Users could view market movements inside posts, though the feature only tracked prices and did not enable transactions. The earlier system was later discontinued.

Advertisement

The planned trading capability would mark a major shift for the platform, which already hosts a large share of online crypto conversation. Allowing direct transactions would move X beyond information sharing and into financial services.

The development aligns with Musk’s long-standing plan to turn X into an “everything app,” comparable to China’s WeChat, where messaging, payments and services operate in one place.

The trading feature comes alongside X Money, a peer-to-peer payments system. Speaking during a presentation at his artificial intelligence company xAI, Musk said the payment tool is currently in limited beta testing and could expand globally after the trial period.

Advertisement

“This is intended to be the place where all money is — the central source of monetary transactions,” Musk said.

According to Musk, the platform reaches roughly 600 million monthly users.

X Cracks Down on Crypto-Linked Engagement Apps

As reported, X has recently come under scrutiny after restricting API access for so-called InfoFi and engagement-reward projects, many of which were tied to crypto incentives.

Advertisement

The company said it would no longer allow apps that reward users for posting or interacting on X, citing concerns over AI-generated spam and manipulation.

Beyond crypto, X’s broader AI strategy has drawn regulatory attention, particularly in Europe, where authorities have raised concerns about Grok’s image-generation features.

The platform has since limited certain capabilities and introduced safeguards after investigations were launched.

X’s decision to clamp down on so-called InfoFi applications sent fresh shockwaves through the crypto market, dragging several tokens sharply lower and forcing a rethink across a niche that had grown tightly intertwined with the social media platform.

Advertisement

The immediate market reaction was led by KAITO, the token linked to the Kaito platform, which slid roughly 20% in a single day as investors digested what many saw as a structural threat rather than a short-term policy tweak.

The post Elon Musk’s X to Launch Smart Cashtags Enabling In-App Stock and Crypto Trading appeared first on Cryptonews.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Low Volume Breakouts: Why Markets Whisper Before They Roar

Published

on

21Shares Introduces JitoSOL ETP to Offer Staking Rewards via Solana

TLDR:

  • Institutional buyers accumulate positions quietly before breakouts occur, absorbing supply inside bases 
  • Volume reduction before breakouts signals stored energy rather than weakness in underlying price trends 
  • Momentum funds and retail traders enter after performance becomes visible, creating delayed volume spikes 
  • Breakout timing context matters more than immediate volume confirmation for predicting trend sustainability

 

Low volume breakouts often face skepticism from traders who follow conventional technical analysis rules. The standard teaching suggests strong volume must accompany price breakouts for validation.

However, market history reveals a different pattern where volume frequently arrives after the breakout occurs. Technical analyst Aksel Kibar recently examined this phenomenon, noting that markets often move quietly before attracting broader participation.

This observation challenges widely accepted assumptions about volume requirements during breakout formations.

Institutional Accumulation Precedes Public Recognition

Market structure explains why breakouts occur without immediate volume expansion. Institutional investors typically build positions within consolidation ranges before prices break higher.

Advertisement

These buyers accumulate shares gradually when public interest remains low. Supply gets absorbed during this quiet phase, creating conditions for easier price movement.

Technical research supports the concept of volume reduction before breakouts. This pattern reflects stored energy rather than weakness in the underlying trend.

Price can advance with minimal participation because resistance has already been removed. The breakout itself represents recognition of a shift rather than the beginning of participation.

Early positioning by informed buyers means fewer shares remain available when prices break out. The lack of sellers allows price to move higher without requiring heavy volume.

Advertisement

This dynamic contradicts the traditional view that volume must confirm every breakout immediately. Markets can transition from accumulation to markup phase with relatively light trading activity.

The concept of “volume dry-up” before breakouts appears frequently in technical literature. Reduced trading activity can signal preparation for a move rather than disinterest.

When supply has been absorbed and sellers have exited, prices move freely on modest volume. This phase often precedes substantial trends that develop over subsequent weeks or months.

Market Stages Reveal Delayed Volume Patterns

Technical analyst Aksel Kibar noted on social media that breakout performance should consider context beyond the initial moment.

Advertisement

His analysis identifies three distinct stages in market behavior following consolidation patterns. The initial breakout stage often shows limited participation from retail traders and momentum investors.

Performance becomes visible as the trend develops and price gains become measurable. Momentum-focused funds enter positions after trends establish themselves through consistent price action.

Retail participation follows as media coverage expands and investment narratives gain traction. This sequence explains why volume peaks occur after breakouts rather than during them.

Studies examining breakout patterns reveal that timing matters more than immediate volume confirmation. Some quiet breakouts evolve into sustained trends while high-volume breakouts occasionally mark exhaustion points. The relationship between volume and price depends on market phase and participant behavior.

Advertisement

Recognition that volume confirms participation rather than initiating moves changes how traders evaluate breakouts. Markets demonstrate strength through sustained price advancement regardless of initial volume levels.

Historical patterns show that whisper-quiet beginnings can precede powerful trends. The sequence of accumulation, breakout, and expansion follows a logical progression that volume data reflects over time.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Why Multiple Resistance Tests Actually Increase Breakout Probability: Technical Analyst Reveals Market Truth

Published

on

21Shares Introduces JitoSOL ETP to Offer Staking Rewards via Solana

TLDR:

  • Each resistance test removes sell liquidity, gradually weakening the barrier rather than strengthening it. 
  • Short positions accumulate above tested resistance, creating stop-loss clusters that fuel explosive breakouts. 
  • Horizontal resistance levels with three or more touches demonstrate institutional recognition and setup quality. 
  • Repeated price returns to resistance signal market acceptance and persistent demand, not rejection behavior.

 

Breakout probability increases with multiple tests at resistance levels, contrary to traditional technical analysis teachings.

Technical analyst Aksel Kibar challenges conventional market wisdom in a detailed explanation of modern market dynamics. The analysis focuses on liquidity pools, order flow, and auction theory.

Classical teachings suggest resistance strengthens with repeated failures. However, market behavior demonstrates the opposite trend through systematic liquidity depletion. Each test removes available sell orders and transfers inventory from sellers to buyers.

Liquidity Depletion Weakens Resistance Over Time

Resistance levels function as liquidity pools rather than solid barriers. Modern markets reveal these zones contain clusters of limit orders and resting sell liquidity.

Advertisement

Each price movement into resistance consumes available sell orders through transactions. This process gradually removes supply from the level.

The technical analyst compares resistance to ice being chipped away with each touch. Every test fills sell orders and reduces available supply at that price point.

Eventually, insufficient sellers remain to maintain the resistance level. This creates conditions favorable for eventual breakouts.

Buyers consistently absorb demand at these levels through repeated transactions. The inventory transfers from sellers to buyers during each test. This systematic reduction in available supply makes future breakouts structurally easier to achieve.

Advertisement

Short Positions Create Breakout Fuel Above Resistance

Market participants tend to initiate new short positions after repeated failures at resistance. Confidence in the level grows with each rejection, leading to tighter stop-loss clustering above. This accumulation of stops creates latent energy that fuels eventual breakouts.

When resistance finally breaks, short sellers must cover their positions simultaneously. Breakout traders and momentum participants enter the market at the same time. This combination creates a liquidity vacuum that accelerates price movement upward.

Aksel Kibar notes on his platform that strong breakouts frequently occur after multiple failed attempts. The concentration of stop-loss orders above well-tested levels amplifies the breakout move. This pattern explains why persistent testing often leads to decisive directional moves.

Horizontal Boundaries Signal Institutional Recognition

Horizontal levels carry particular significance in technical analysis, according to the analyst. These boundaries indicate institutional recognition and shared market memory across time periods. Multiple touches increase participant awareness and order clustering around these levels.

Advertisement

The analyst emphasizes mature chart patterns with a minimum of three touch points to pattern boundaries. This selection criterion improves signal quality and setup probability in trading decisions. Horizontal patterns from global exchanges demonstrate this principle consistently.

Markets operate as auction systems where repeated price returns signal ongoing negotiation. Persistence at specific levels indicates acceptance behavior rather than rejection.

Strong markets build bases through consolidation near resistance before continuation moves. This base-building process incorporates multiple tests as part of the natural market structure.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Senators Urge CFIUS Probe of $500M UAE Stake in Trump-Linked WLFI

Published

on

Senators Urge CFIUS Probe of $500M UAE Stake in Trump-Linked WLFI

Two US senators are pressing the Treasury Department to investigate a reported foreign investment in a crypto venture tied to the Trump family, raising concerns about national security, foreign influence and access to sensitive financial data.

In a Friday letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Senator Andy Kim asked the government to determine whether the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) should investigate a deal in which a UAE–backed investment vehicle agreed to purchase a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial (WLFI) for roughly $500 million.

The lawmakers wrote that the transaction reportedly occurred days before Donald Trump’s inauguration and would make the foreign fund the firm’s largest shareholder and its only publicly known outside investor. They asked Bessent, who chairs CFIUS, to confirm whether the committee was notified and, if necessary, conduct a “comprehensive, thorough, and unbiased investigation.”

The investment was reportedly backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser. The agreement allegedly directed about $187 million to entities linked to the Trump family and granted two board seats to executives connected to G42, a technology company previously scrutinized by US intelligence agencies over concerns about ties to China, per the letter.

Advertisement

Related: Trump Media files for two new crypto ETFs tied to Bitcoin, Ether, Cronos

UAE stake could expose Americans’ financial and personal data

Warren and Kim argued that the structure of the deal could allow a foreign government to gain influence over a US company handling financial and personal information. They noted that the firm’s privacy disclosures indicate it collects data including wallet addresses, IP addresses, device identifiers and approximate location data, along with certain identity records through service providers.

CFIUS is tasked with reviewing foreign investments that could provide access to sensitive technologies or personal data belonging to US citizens. The lawmakers requested answers by March 5.

Senators ask Bessent to answer questions. Source: Senate

Last year, Senators Warren and Jack Reed also called on US authorities to investigate alleged links between World Liberty Financial’s token sales and sanctioned foreign actors. In a Nov. letter to the Justice Department and Treasury, they cited claims that WLFI governance tokens were bought by blockchain addresses tied to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, as well as Russian- and Iranian-linked entities.

Related: Trump family’s WLFI plans FX and remittance platform: Report

Advertisement

Trump says sons handle WLFI investment

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of the reported multimillion-dollar investment tied to an Abu Dhabi royal and entities connected to the World Liberty Financial crypto platform.