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SEC Approves Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options, Bloomberg Reports

SEC Approves Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options, Bloomberg Reports

The SEC has approved Nasdaq Bitcoin index options for trading, but the product may still face additional regulatory steps before institutions can use it for Bitcoin hedging.

BTC

Fact Check
The claim is strongly supported by multiple independent, contemporaneous reports from May 22, 2026. CoinMarketCap, Cointelegraph, Cryptopolitan, and other outlets all reported the SEC approval of Nasdaq Bitcoin Index options on that date, explicitly citing Bloomberg as the primary source. The regulatory background is well-documented: the Federal Register shows the rule filing (SR-PHLX-2025-50) was submitted in August/September 2024 and had a final SEC decision deadline of May 27, 2026, making an approval on May 22, 2026 entirely consistent. The @cryptounfolded post adds that the options are cash-settled and track the CME CF Bitcoin Real-Time Index, with launch pending CFTC exemptive relief. No conflicting reports were found. The only minor caveat is that the Bloomberg original article was not directly fetched, but the convergence of multiple credible outlets all citing Bloomberg on the same day with consistent details makes the claim highly credible.
Summary

The SEC has approved Nasdaq Bitcoin index options for trading, a move that could simplify Bitcoin hedging for institutional investors. Earlier reporting specified that the approval covered Nasdaq’s proposed rule change for QBTC Bitcoin index options, which are structured as cash-settled, European-style contracts. However, despite the SEC approval, the product may still face further regulatory delays before listing, including the previously reported need for separate exemptive approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Terms & Concepts
  • European-style: An options structure that is generally exercisable only at expiration rather than at any point before the contract ends.
  • Cash-settled: A settlement method in which profits or losses are paid in cash instead of delivering the underlying asset.
  • CFTC: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. regulator whose separate exemptive approval is still needed before the product can be listed.