ECB Officials' Full Statement on Bitcoin's Failed Promise and ETFs

February 22, 2024--In their full blog post, European Central Bank Director General Ulrich Bindseil and Advisor Jürgen Schaaf express their view that Bitcoin has not fulfilled its potential as a global, decentralized digital currency.

Bitcoin has failed on the promise to be a global decentralised digital currency and is still hardly used for legitimate transfers. The latest approval of an ETF doesn’t change the fact that Bitcoin is not suitable as means of payment or as an investment.

On 10 January, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin. For disciples, the formal approval confirms that Bitcoin investments are safe and the preceding rally is proof of an unstoppable triumph. We disagree with both claims and reiterate that the fair value of Bitcoin is still zero. For society, a renewed boom-bust cycle of Bitcoin is a dire perspective.

ESMA publishes latest edition of its newsletter

January 9, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published its latest edition of the Spotlight on Markets Newsletter.

Amundi to shut its original 'multi' smart beta ETF

January 8, 2025--The fund made returns of nearly 20% last year but has failed to retain sufficient assets to be 'economically efficient'
Amundi is to close a multi-strategy smart beta exchange traded fund, the product it launched to enter the space a decade ago.

ESMA launches selection of the Consolidated Tape Provider for bonds

January 3, 2025-- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial markets regulator and supervisor, is launching the first selection procedure for the Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for bonds. Entities interested to apply are encouraged to register and submit their requests to participate in the selection procedure by 7 February 2025.

ECB-Monetary developments in the euro area: November 2024

January 2, 2025--Annual growth rate of broad monetary aggregate M3 increased to 3.8% in November 2024 from 3.4% in October
Annual growth rate of narrower monetary aggregate M1, comprising currency in circulation and overnight deposits, increased to 1.5% in November from 0.2% in October
Annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households stood at 0.9% in November, compared with 0.8% in October