EU Regulator Evaluates Authorization of Bitcoin for UCITS Products

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's financial watchdog, is currently assessing the possibility of allowing Bitcoin to be included in the €12 trillion mutual fund market in the region.

Review of Eligible Assets for UCITS

ESMA is seeking feedback on expanding the range of eligible assets for Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS). These widely used retail investment products represent over 75% of funds held by EU citizens.

Potential Implications of Bitcoin Approval

If Bitcoin gets the green light for UCITS, it would mark Europe's first significant entry into the mainstream market. This would mean that fund managers could incorporate small Bitcoin portfolios within the existing extensive framework.

ESMA's Timetable and Considerations

ESMA is inviting input until August 7 before finalizing any recommendations. This move comes in the wake of recent approvals for Bitcoin ETFs in the US and Hong Kong, indicating a more favorable global regulatory stance.

Remaining Challenges

Despite these positive developments, challenges persist in terms of Bitcoin custody under current EU regulations. Compliance with upcoming legislation like the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) rules may necessitate careful asset segregation.

Recognizing Bitcoin's Growing Importance

ESMA's proactive stance acknowledges the increasing significance of Bitcoin across Europe. Legal expert Andrea Pantaleo believes that the impact of Bitcoin approval for UCITS could surpass that of recent Bitcoin ETF launches.

Potential Benefits and Road Ahead

While approval may not lead to the creation of standalone Bitcoin funds within UCITS, it could open up trillions in assets for modest Bitcoin exposure. This move could enhance liquidity and promote wider adoption of Bitcoin in the EU, albeit with significant regulatory hurdles to overcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold a gold ETF in a Roth IRA?

This option may not be available in a 401(k), but you should look into other options such as an Individual Retirement account (IRA).

A traditional IRA allows for contributions from both employer and employee. Another option is to invest in publicly traded corporations with an Employee Stockownership Plan (ESOP).

An ESOP is a tax-saving tool because employees have a share of company stock as well as the profits that the business generates. The money invested in the ESOP is then taxed at lower rates than if it were held directly in the hands of the employee.

Also available is an Individual Retirement Annuity. An IRA lets you make regular, income-generating payments to yourself over your life. Contributions to IRAs can be made without tax.

Is gold a good choice for an investment IRA?

Gold is an excellent investment for any person who wants to save money. You can diversify your portfolio with gold. There's more to gold that meets the eye.

It has been used throughout the history of currency and remains a popular payment method. It is often called “the oldest currency in the world.”

But gold is mined from the earth, unlike paper currencies that governments create. This makes it highly valuable as it is hard and rare to produce.

Gold prices fluctuate based on demand and supply. If the economy is strong, people will spend more money which means less people can mine gold. The result is that gold's value increases.

On the flip side, people save cash for emergencies and don't spend it. This causes more gold to be produced, which lowers its value.

It is this reason that gold investing makes sense for businesses and individuals. If you make an investment in gold, you can reap the economic benefits whenever the economy is growing.

Additionally, you'll earn interest on your investments which will help you grow your wealth. Additionally, you won't lose cash if the gold price falls.

What precious metals can you invest in for retirement?

It is gold and silver that are the best precious metal investment. They are both easy to trade and have been around for years. Consider adding them to the list if you're looking to diversify and expand your portfolio.

Gold: One of the oldest forms of currency, gold, is one of mankind's most valuable. It is stable and very secure. It's a great way to protect wealth in times of uncertainty.

Silver: Investors have always loved silver. This is a great choice for people who want to avoid volatility. Silver is more volatile than gold. It tends to rise rather than fall.

Platinium is another precious metal that is becoming increasingly popular. It is very durable and resistant against corrosion, much like silver and gold. However, it's much more expensive than either of its counterparts.

Rhodium: Rhodium can be used in catalytic convertors. It is also used in jewelry-making. And, it's relatively cheap compared to other types of precious metals.

Palladium (or Palladium): Palladium can be compared to platinum, but is much more common. It's also much more affordable. It is a preferred choice among investors who are looking to add precious materials to their portfolios.

Statistics

  • You can only purchase gold bars at least 99.5% purity. (forbes.com)
  • (Basically, if your GDP grows by 2%, you need miners to dig 2% more gold out of the ground every year to keep prices steady.) (smartasset.com)
  • This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)
  • Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
  • If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal, so you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)

External Links

investopedia.com

bbb.org

irs.gov

wsj.com

How To

Investing gold vs. stocks

It might seem risky to invest in gold as an investment vehicle these days. This is because many people believe that gold investment is no longer profitable. This belief is based on the fact that gold prices are being driven down by global economic conditions. People believe that investing in gold would result in them losing money. There are many benefits to investing in gold. Below are some of them.

Gold is the oldest known form of currency. It has been in use for thousands of year. It was used all around the world as a reserve of value. It continues to be used in South Africa, as a way of paying their citizens.

You must first decide how much you are willing and able to pay per gram to decide whether or not gold should be your investment. The first thing you should do when considering buying gold bullion is to decide how much you will spend per gram. If you don’t know the current market rate for gold bullion, you can always consult a local jeweler to get their opinion.

Noting that gold prices have fallen in recent years, it is worth noting that the cost to produce gold has gone up. So, although gold prices have declined in recent years, the cost of producing it has not changed.

You should also consider the amount of your intended purchase when considering whether you should buy or not. It makes sense to save any gold you don't need to purchase if your goal is to use it for wedding rings. If you plan to do so as long-term investments, it is worth looking into. You can profit if you sell your gold at a higher price than you bought it.

We hope our article has given you a better understanding of gold as an investment tool. We recommend you do your research before making any final decisions. Only after you have done this can you make an informed choice.

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By: Vivek Sen
Title: EU Regulator Evaluates Authorization of Bitcoin for UCITS Products
Sourced From: bitcoinmagazine.com/business/eu-regulator-considers-approving-bitcoin-for-ucits-products
Published Date: Thu, 09 May 2024 12:51:18 GMT

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