Bitcoin ETF may be a ‘limited’ benefit for Coinbase stock: Barclays

• Mike Novogratz expects SEC to approve a Spot Bitcoin ETF by the end of 2023.
• Barclays analyst does not expect the approval to be a huge benefit for Coinbase.
• Coinbase stock is currently down more than 30% versus its year-to-date high.

Mike Novogratz – the Chief Executive of Galaxy Investment Partners expects the Securities & Exchange Commission to approve a Spot Bitcoin ETF by the end of this year.

Here’s what Mike Novogratz said today on CNBC

Last week, the U.S. regulator refrained from appealing a court’s ruling that said it did not have sufficient reason to block Grayscale from converting its flagship trust to an exchange-traded fund.

Note that Galaxy itself has filed for a Spot Bitcoin ETF in collaboration with Invesco. On CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, Novogratz said today:

Dialogue with SEC is heading in right direction. It is no longer talking how Bitcoin works. It’s just a recognised macro asset and that’s a huge psychological shift.

The billionaire investor expects a positive news on the ETF front to lead the market higher. Still, Barclays is not entirely convinced that it will be a material catalyst for Coinbase Global Inc.

Barclays analyst shares his view on Coinbase stock

Analyst Benjamin Budish told clients in a research note today on Wednesday that approval of a Spot Bitcoin ETF will likely be a “limited” benefit for Coinbase.

It is not clear how successful ETF launches would translate into a meaningful P&L benefit for Coinbase despite it being an integral service provider.

He agreed that the Nasdaq-listed firm will serve as custodian for four BTC exchange-traded funds (at least) but said it is unlikely to earn significant custodial and prime brokerage fees.

Barclays has an “underweight” rating on Coinbase stock with a price target of $70 that suggests another 6.0% downside from here. Earlier this week, Cathie Wood – the Founder of Ark Invest also took a positive tone on a Spot Bitcoin ETF approval.