CBOE CEO Blasts 'Uncalled For' Bitcoin Futures Critiques

CBOE's chief executive is pushing back at suggestions that the exchange's newly-launched bitcoin futures market was hastily done.

AccessTimeIconDec 11, 2017 at 6:40 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 7:40 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

CBOE's chief executive is pushing back at suggestions that the exchange's newly-launched bitcoin futures market was hastily done.

Speaking to Financial News, Edward Tilly said that objections like those raised by the Futures Industry Association in an open letter last week are "uncalled for" and doesn't reflect the reality of the regulatory approval process. As an institution that trades commodity-backed derivatives, the CBOE is overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC),

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • He told the publication:

    "I think letters like that and cheap shots to our regulator, the CFTC, are uncalled for to make it seem this was an overnight self-certification without the proper amount of CFTC involvement. This is just irresponsible. I respect all the concerns that the industry has but when it's articulated in the way the FIA did, not so much."

    In that letter, released last week, FIA chief executive Walt Lukken said that members are concerned about the volatility around cryptocurrency prices, while also attacking the process that led to the yesterday's futures launch.

    "A public discussion should have been had on whether a separate guarantee fund for this product was appropriate or whether exchanges put additional capital in front of the clearing member guarantee fund," Lukken wrote at the time.

    Similar objections were previously raised by Interactive Brokers founder Thomas Peterffy who, in an ad in the Wall Street Journal, argued that bitcoin derivatives activity should be siloed off from the broader market.

    Tilly explained that the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), a clearinghouse focused on equities derivatives, clears the contracts for CBOE.

    "Again, I default to their expertise and I'm comfortable with their decision," he told the publication.

    Image via MarketsWiki

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.