NASDAQ executive says Bitcoin evolving, optimistic about Winklevoss ETF

David LaValle, vice president of transaction services for Nasdaq OMX and head of ETF business, spoke to ETF.com about Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term and the proposed Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust exchange traded fund (ETF).

The ETF, which aims to offer investors exposure to Bitcoin in a regulated exchange traded instrument, was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this year. It is still awaiting approval.

LaValle is upbeat both about the ETF, which would be traded on his exchange, and Bitcoin. He explained:

"I think bitcoin is evolving. It’s quite dynamic. We first saw consumers and merchants begin to be open to using it for transacting. But now, as we move toward bringing it in the form of an investment tool, I think it certainly broadens the exposure of potential users. But the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust ETF could be used really as an investment tool or a trading tool."

He added that the Bitcoin instrument would enjoy enhanced credibility by virtue of its "ETF wrapper", and conversely ETFs would benefit from the expansion.

Comparisons were drawn to the earliest days of gold ETFs, which allowed investors to gain exposure to the precious metal with the advantages of investing through a Stock Exchange Stock Exchange A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the fin A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the fin Read this Term.