Crypto News: SEC Delays Decision on Fidelity Ether ETF Options, Sets New May 14 Deadline

Key Takeaways:The U.S. SEC has postponed its decision on allowing Cboe BZX Exchange to list options on Fidelity’s Ether ETF (FETH).The agency has set May 14 as the new deadline to approve or reject the request.Similar delays were issued for BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) and other crypto ETF-related rule changes in February.Spot Ether ETFs, introduced in July 2024, have attracted nearly $7 billion in net assets.SEC Postpones Fidelity Ether ETF Options RulingThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has pushed back its ruling on whether to allow Cboe BZX Exchange to list options tied to Fidelity’s Ether ETF (FETH). The delay, announced in a March 12 SEC filing, extends the decision deadline to May 14, 2025.Cboe BZX initially submitted its request in January, aiming to bring Ether ETF options to the market, a move that could increase institutional participation in Ethereum-based financial products.Regulatory Shifts and Institutional AdoptionThis decision is part of a broader trend in crypto ETF regulation. Since U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term on Jan. 20, the SEC has softened its stance on crypto, acknowledging a wave of ETF-related filings.Spot Ether ETFs, listed in July 2024, have gained traction, with nearly $7 billion in net assets, according to VettaFi data. Fidelity’s FETH alone holds $780 million, while BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) is the largest, boasting over $3.7 billion.The Next Steps for Ether ETF OptionsBeyond Fidelity’s ETF, the SEC will decide in April whether Nasdaq can list options on BlackRock’s ETHA. Cboe’s request for Fidelity’s ETF options will be addressed in May.Adding options to Ether ETFs would provide traders with new tools to hedge risk and enhance returns. If approved, the move could accelerate institutional investment in Ethereum, potentially driving greater liquidity and price stability for ETH.As the SEC navigates the evolving crypto landscape, investors and institutions await key decisions that could define Ethereum’s role in mainstream financial markets, according to Cointelegraph.