Winklevoss twins bitcoin ETF rejected by SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission rejected a second attempt by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of crypto exchange Gemini, to list the first-ever cryptocurrency ETF on a regulated exchange.
The U.S. financial watchdog has yet to approve a cryptocurrency-based ETF and in the release Thursday highlights issues with security, market manipulation and investor protection issues.
Bitcoin fell below $7,900 following the news after hitting a two-month high this week, which was partially fueled by rumors that the SEC could approve a similar trading vehicle as early as August

The SEC noted that more than three-fourths of the volume in bitcoin occurs outside the United States, and that 95 percent of the volume occurred on non-U.S. exchanges.

The bid-ask spreads varied widely across exchanges, the SEC said. The volume in bitcoin futures markets are small: 20 percent the volume of platinum, and 2.5 percent that of silver.

This week, the agency SEC delayed deliberations on five other bitcoin ETFs filed by NYSE Arca, Inc. Asset manager Bitwise joined the list of hopefuls on Tuesday, and filed for an ETF that would track a basket of cryptocurrencies