SEC Puts Nasdaq's QBTC Bitcoin Index Options Approval on Hold After CME Challenge

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has paused and is re-examining its approval of Nasdaq's cash-settled Bitcoin index option, QBTC, after a legal objection from CME Group, CoinDesk reported, citing ChainThink. The SEC order was published July 31. The SEC had granted conditional approval in May for QBTC to be listed on Nasdaq PHLX, though the product would still need an exemption from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission before it could launch. CME filed its objection in June, arguing that bitcoin is a commodity and that options directly tied to its value fall under the CFTC's exclusive jurisdiction rather than the SEC's. If regulators accept CME's argument, the SEC would lack authority to approve QBTC. Nasdaq would then need to register under the CFTC regime as a regulated futures or swap trading venue, or restructure the contract so it tracks securities-like assets, such as a spot Bitcoin ETF. The SEC's order keeps the approval in a frozen status and opens a comment period through August 24 for parties to submit views for or against the objection. The suspension has been in place since CME filed its notice of objection on June 11.