BlackRock argues that the US Securities and Exchange Commission has no legitimate reason to treat applications for physically-backed cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) differently from those for futures-based cryptocurrency ETFs. After submitting a 19b-4 application to the SEC on behalf of the company on Nasdaq, BlackRock's physically-backed Ethereum (ETH) ETF called "iShares Ethereum Trust" was officially approved on November 9th. In its application, BlackRock questions the SEC's treatment of physically-backed cryptocurrency ETFs, claiming that the agency's reasons for repeatedly rejecting these applications are incorrect regarding regulatory differences between futures-based and physically-backed ETFs.

BlackRock has confirmed its plans for a spot Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the filing of a 19b-4 form to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The proposed ETF, called the iShares Ethereum Trust, signals BlackRock's intention to expand beyond Bitcoin. Other financial firms, including VanEck, ARK 21Shares, Invesco, Grayscale and Hashdex, have also expressed interest in cryptocurrency-backed ETFs, with at least five firms in the running to win SEC approval for a spot Ethereum ETF.

Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart stated on X platform that BlackRock's Ethereum ETF application has been confirmed, and the company has just submitted the 19b-4 document to Nasdaq.

BlackRock has reportedly registered an Ethereum trust in Delaware, which could be a preliminary step towards an Ether spot ETF. The company had previously registered a Bitcoin trust before filing for a Bitcoin ETF with the SEC. The trust was registered on November 9th and the agent registered is a BlackRock managing director named Daniel Schweiger. ETH has seen a 5.77% increase in value, but BlackRock has declined to comment on the matter. This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.

On November 9th, according to relevant data, BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust was successfully registered in Delaware.

According to sources have revealed that if regulatory authorities approve BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF, some of the world's largest market makers may participate by providing liquidity. According to information viewed by insiders, trading giants Jane Street, Virtu Financial, Jump Trading, and Hudson River Trading have already negotiated with BlackRock about their market-making roles.

PShield monitoring shows that a fraudulent token project based on the BNB blockchain has defrauded investors of nearly $90,000 worth of cryptocurrency. The project's name is consistent with the code "IBTC" of the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, and the fraudster has already exchanged 10 quadrillion IBTC tokens for 394.8 BNB and transferred them out.

SEC has fined BlackRock $2.5 million for inaccurate descriptions of its investment in the entertainment industry in a publicly traded fund it manages. The SEC stated that from 2015 to 2019, the BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) made significant investments in a printing and advertising company called Aviron Group, which produces one to two films per year through a loan facility. The SEC stated that BlackRock incorrectly described Aviron as a company providing "diversified financial services" in BIT's annual and semi-annual reports, and also misrepresented Aviron's interest rates. However, BlackRock discovered these errors in 2019 and subsequently corrected the investment information on Aviron in the following years. The SEC emphasized that investment advisers have a responsibility to provide accurate key information, and BlackRock failed to fulfill this responsibility in its investment in Aviron. BlackRock agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine to resolve this improper investment disclosure issue. 

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accused BlackRock of failing to accurately describe and disclose its investment in entertainment company Aviron Group. Multiple departments within BlackRock's income trust funds (BIT) made significant investments in Aviron Group through lending institutions. BlackRock incorrectly described Aviron as a "diversified financial services" company, and this investment accounted for a large portion of its publicly traded funds. To settle the charges, BlackRock agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine.

According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) stated in a statement that BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF was added to the DTCC's Qualified File in August.