<center>[![IMG_7909.jpg](https://s30.postimg.org/rqajt3hpt/IMG_7909.jpg)](https://postimg.org/image/r0rrgqh65/)</center>
_Image source: @stellabelle remix from YouTube and Pixabay_

In the last few days I kept seeing people online discussing the _Bitcoin ETF_ and to be honest, I had no freaking clue what they were talking about. After 5 hours of research, now I do.

# I’m going to break it down for you in the simplest way possible.

First of all, **ETF** stands for Exchange-Traded Funds. There currently exists a lot of different kinds of ETFs. They’re sort of like Mutual Funds but they can be traded like stocks. I’m sure you know what a Mutual Fund is, so you get a rough idea. At any rate, if a Bitcoin ETF existed, that would mean way more regular investors could invest their money in Bitcoin without having to worry about digital wallets, buying on exchanges and securing their Bitcoins with cryptography. It would give the investor masses a way to enjoy the benefits of Bitcoin without having to go through all the technological hoops in securing those Bitcoins. 

You see, there is currently no Bitcoin ETF and so for regular people who don’t want to bother with learning all the technological stuff that accompanies Bitcoin security, they are just excluded from the Bitcoin market. This Bitcoin ETF could bring in a lot more people from the mainstream. 

# On March 11, 2017 the SEC will make a decision to either accept or reject the Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF. 

![rules-2076442_1280.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVADyDsnSosxdSVFtQNL7HWusR9efcd8nJscZASq4dGMx/rules-2076442_1280.png)

This future ruling is believed to be a major reason that the Bitcoin price has surged in recent weeks. The Winklevoss twins have been trying to get their Bitcoin ETF approved since 2013. See the entire history of SEC filings for the [Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust here](http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/coin/sec-filings). There are two other groups also trying to get Bitcoin ETFs approved by the SEC.

According Bloomberg’s most recent article from March 2, 2017:

> An approved ETF would make bitcoin investing simple for small traders and institutions, while potentially boosting the digital currency just as it’s hitting new highs almost daily. Some $300 million could pour into a bitcoin ETF in its first week, Spencer Bogart, head of research at venture-capital investor Blockchain Capital, said in an interview. -[_Bloomberg_, _Winklevoss Twins Await Imminent SEC Decision on Bitcoin ETF_](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-02/winklevoss-twins-await-imminent-sec-decision-on-bitcoin-etf)

A quick search on several websites gives no certain indication whether the Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF is expected to be approved or rejected by the SEC. It’s anyone’s guess but it definitely would create very big waves within the Bitcoin community and add a layer of trust to Bitcoin’s future. It will be a huge day if the SEC approves it. The Bitcoin world will certainly go nuts since the Winklevoss twins have been trying to get this passed for over 3 years now.

What are your thoughts on the Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF?

_Disclaimer: I am in no way providing financial advice or recommendations to invest in Bitcoin or anything else._