Nasdaq, VanEck Partner to Launch 'Crypto 2.0' Futures Contracts

The second-largest stock exchange in the world is partnering with investment management firm VanEck to bring a host of new cryptocurrency financial products to market.

According to Gurbacs, what they're planning to release early next year is to be the first of several such products.

In a follow-up interview, Gurbacs told CoinDesk that these futures products could be thought of as an "Upgrade" to current regulatory standards that surround bitcoin futures products.

Calling it the "Big policeman engine," Gurbacs explained the technology would ensure bitcoin futures trading "In a fair and orderly fashion."

As it stands, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has approved two bitcoin futures products to date - one operated by the Chicago Board Options Exchange in partnership with Gemini Exchange and the other operated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in partnership with Crypto Facilities.

These futures contracts are cash-settled, meaning that at expiration no "Physical" bitcoins need to be moved in order to settle accounts.

In contrast, a concurrent bitcoin futures product expected to launch in January of next year operated by the Intercontinental Exchange-backed company Bakkt will be physically-settled, meaning investors holding these contracts at expiration would receive payment in bitcoin.

Gurbacs didn't disclose whether the anticipated bitcoin futures product between Nasdaq and VanEck's price indexing arm MVIS would be similarly cash-backed.

Still, Gurbacs hinted that "There's lots to look forward to in 2019," emphasizing a hopeful launch date for the bitcoin futures product in Q1 of next year.

What's more, the physical-backed bitcoin exchange-traded fund proposed by VanEck in partnership with blockchain technology company SolidX is also expected to reach a final decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission by February 27, 2019.