IBIT Position Limits Remain in Place as Nasdaq Levels the Bitcoin ETF Playing Field – Blockonomi

TLDR:

• Nasdaq filing increases limits for FBTC, ARKB and HODL to meet IBIT’s existing 250k position threshold
• IBIT maintains default limit of 250,000 under Option 9 rules, regardless of January regulatory changes
• BlackRock applied in November to increase the IBIT limit to 1 million contracts, pending regulatory approval
• Market analyst warns of AI-generated misinformation on crypto ETF regulatory developments

Rumors claim that Nasdaq has abolished position limits iShares Bitcoin Trust options have been debunked by market analyst Jeff Park. The confusion stems from a January SEC filing that adjusted restrictions on several crypto ETFs.

Park clarified that the regulatory change does not give unlimited influence to Wall Street traders. Instead, the filing addresses position limits for other Bitcoin ETF products.

Regulatory filing focuses on secondary Bitcoin ETFs

The SEC document in question increases the position limits for FBTC, ARKB, HODL and Ethereum ETFs from 25,000 to standard thresholds. IBIT already operates below the 250,000 position limit set by Nasdaq’s Option 9 rules.

IBIT from BlackRock and Bitwise’s BITB have maintained this higher limit since the launch of their options. The January filing aims to level the playing field for Bitcoin ETF issuers.

Park emphasized that the regulatory change removes previous restrictions that penalized crypto assets with non-standard limits. The filing explicitly refers to exchange requirements that prevent unfair discrimination between customers and issuers.

This adjustment brings smaller Bitcoin ETF products in line with established position limit frameworks. Market participants can verify current limits through the Options Clearing Corporation database.

IBIT aims for higher position limit through separate process

A November 2024 filing shows that BlackRock is seeking to increase IBIT’s position limit from 250,000 to one million contracts. This request remains under consideration federal regulators from February 2026.

The proposed expansion would mean a quadrupling of the maximum permitted positions. Park highlighted this separate filing as the actual development worth monitoring for potential changes in leverage.

The analyst cautioned against relying solely on AI chatbots to verify market information. He noted cases where automated tools provided incorrect statements about the regulatory changes.

Independent verification through official sources such as the OCC database provides accurate position limit data. Park encouraged market participants to exercise due diligence when assessing claims about regulatory developments.

The confusion highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the Bitcoin ETF derivatives markets. Position limits serve as risk management tools to prevent excessive concentration in options contracts.

Regulatory adjustments to these limits reflect changing approaches to crypto asset integration in traditional finance. The standardization process continues as more Bitcoin ETF products enter the derivatives market.