Consensys Software, the blockchain technology company behind the popular cryptocurrency wallet MetaMask, has revealed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission closed its investigation into Ethereum 2.0 in what it described as a “major win” for the industry.

Brazilian asset manager Hashdex has filed with the U.S. SEC to launch a combined spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded fund on the Nasdaq exchange

Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is now allowing some institutional and retail to enter positions on cryptocurrencies that haven't launched yet through a pre-launch markets feature.

Top stories in the Crypto Roundup today:

• ‘Ethereum Survives the SEC’: Consensys Declares as Regulator Drops Probe
• Hashdex Files to Launch Combined Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF on Nasdaq
• Coinbase Launches Pre-Launch Markets Feature for Some Traders

‘Ethereum Survives the SEC’: Consensys Declares as Regulator Drops Probe

Consensys Software, the blockchain technology company behind the popular cryptocurrency wallet MetaMask, has revealed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission closed its investigation into Ethereum 2.0 in what it described as a “major win” for the industry.

On social media, the company wrote “Ethereum survives the SEC,” before adding that this means “the SEC will not bring charges alleging that sales of ETH are securities transactions.”

The company said that the regulator’s decision comes in response to a letter it sent earlier this month requesting confirmation the agency would close its investigation into Ethereum 2.0, based on the premise that the SEC’s approval of spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last month was an indication it considered ETH a commodity.

In April, Consensys received a Wells notice from the SEC, which is used by the regulator to inform entities of possible enforcement action. After receiving a Wells notice, companies have a chance to write back to the SEC and explain why they should not move forward with a lawsuit

SEC Chairman Gary Gensler has avoided explicitly stating whether the regulator sees Ether as a commodity or a security, while Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Rostin Behnam has categorized the cryptocurrency as a commodity.

Consensys has underscored its commitment to fighting for regulatory clarity, pointing to its lawsuit against the SEC seeking a declaration affirming that offering user interface software like MetaMask Swaps and Staking does not violate securities laws.

Hashdex Files to Launch Combined Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETF on Nasdaq

Brazilian asset manager Hashdex has filed with the U.S. SEC to launch a combined spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded fund on the Nasdaq exchange

The proposed ETF, detailed in a June 18 filing, would offer investors exposure to the two leading cryptocurrencies based on their current market capitalization, with the filing citing 70.54% BTC and 29.46% ETH. It would passively track the Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price Index, without trying to beat its performance.

The filing clarifies that the ETF would initially focus solely on Bitcoin and Ether, but leaves room for future inclusions based on specific criteria, including being listed on a U.S.-regulated digital asset trading platform or serving as the underlying asset for a derivative instrument on a U.S.-regulated platform.

Coinbase and BitGo would act as custodians for the fund’s Bitcoin and Ether holdings, offering segregated accounts for individual shareholders.

Coinbase Launches Pre-Launch Markets Feature for Some Traders

Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is now allowing some institutional and retail to enter positions on cryptocurrencies that haven't launched yet through a pre-launch markets feature.

The exchange’s international division launched the new feature, allowing some traders to take on perpetual futures contracts on tokens that aren’t yet listed on spot cryptocurrency exchanges. Essentially, these contracts allow traders to bet on the future value of upcoming crypto projects before they officially go live.

Participation in this new market is limited, and currently unavailable in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Eligible institutional investors can access it through Coinbase International Exchange, while qualified retail traders can use Coinbase Advanced.

Coinbase, in a blog post outlining the new feature, emphasized the role it plays in facilitating price discovery for upcoming projects and added that once the underlying token launches, the pre-launch futures contract will convert into a standard perpetual contract.

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