SEC Reviews Nasdaq Bitcoin Index Options as Nasdaq Seeks FLEX for BlackRock, iShares ETFs
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is proceeding with a review of a plan to list and trade options tied to the Nasdaq Bitcoin Index, and Nasdaq has separately requested permission to list FLEX options on BlackRock’s IBIT and the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF. The submissions come as exchanges and issuers report a marked increase in demand for bitcoin-linked derivatives, prompting efforts to broaden the suite of tradable instruments tied to spot bitcoin exposure.
Approval would give traders access to both standardized index options and customizable FLEX contracts, enhancing hedging, yield-generation and risk-management choices for institutional and retail market participants. Wider option availability could also boost liquidity and price discovery in the bitcoin market, signaling further institutionalization — though final SEC sign-off is still required and timing remains uncertain.