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by Thorrez 1233 days ago
Why would you redeem it for BTC instead of selling it on the stock market? If you sell it on the market you get 10%-50% more than if you redeem it then sell the bitcoins.

Also, I don't see how shorting gives you immediate profit. You still have to give back the stock later (you're in debt). If the stock goes up, you lose. If the stock goes down, you gain. I don't see how it's immediate profit.
1 comments
Majromax 1233 days ago
GBTC is a form of "locked bitcoin," and it currently trades at a discount to the equivalent amount of ordinary bitcoin. If redemption were possible, the profitable arbitrage trade would be:

1. Use cash to buy Y GBTC at $X 2. Redeem those GBTC for Y bitcoin. 3. Sell those bitcoin for $Z > $X

Short selling isn't necessary, but it would sidestep the "use cash" part of step 1.

This trade is not currently possible because GBTC does not allow people to trade in GBTC shares for the equivalent bitcoin.

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Thorrez 1232 days ago
Yes, when it's at a discount, redemption is useful.

But the quote I was quoting was only talking about when it was trading at a premium. That's when I don't see how redemption could be useful.

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