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BlockFi and XBTO Complete Second Ever Exchange for Physical (EFP) Futures Transaction Using Bitcoin

Published, 2 August, 2019

BlockFi is excited to announce that it has completed the second ever “Exchange for Physical” (EFP) bitcoin transaction with XBTO, facilitated by ED&F Man Capital Markets Inc.

In September 2018, BlockFi became a pioneer in the institutional lending markets for bitcoin by offering one of the first bitcoin financing transactions structured under the ISDA/CSA documentation standard, which has been historically used in traditional FX & derivatives markets. BlockFi’s most recent transaction continues the trend of bringing traditional finance transactions into the crypto trading markets.

CME Bitcoin Futures provide digital asset market participants exposure to bitcoin without having to own any physical bitcoin. This gives market participants the ability to hedge risk or gain exposure to bitcoin. BlockFi is an active futures market participant for yield generation and commercial hedging purposes. An EFP transaction is important to BlockFi as CME Futures are cash settled, meaning at expiration, settlement is accomplished by transferring cash instead of bitcoin.

By leading the industry in transactions like EFPs, BlockFi continues on its mission to build a bridge between traditional financial markets and crypto. The increasing supply of trading products like EFPs will continue to fuel the adoption of crypto into institutional spaces.

What are Bitcoin EFPs?

Exchange for Physical (EFP) transactions are privately negotiated trades between two parties allowing them to simultaneously transfer a Bitcoin Futures positions for physical bitcoin or vice versa. This offers the flexibility and certainty of an over-the-counter (OTC) market, and the counterparty guarantee of an exchange market. The value of an EFP is determined by the differential between the physical asset versus the futures at any given time.

Why use EFPs?

Exchanging Bitcoin Futures for physical bitcoin is more cost effective and less risky than trying to simultaneously sell a future contract on the CME and buy bitcoin on another crypto exchange. EFPs also act as a mechanism to keep the Bitcoin Futures market connected to the spot market, since the CME Bitcoin Futures are cash settled. Firms like XBTO, which also executed the first ever Bitcoin Futures EFP, provide liquidity for such transactions.

What can you expect going forward?

We believe, with the ability to execute EFP transactions, CME futures are more valuable to institutional investors and will result in more liquidity in this market. Futures prices imply rates for bitcoin borrowing and lending, which are the basis for BlockFi Interest Account yields.

As always, if you have any questions or comments you can reach out to our support team through our contact us page or submit feedback here.

– The BlockFi Team

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Rates for BlockFi products are subject to change. Digital currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and BIA accounts are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections. Crypto assets are deposited into an account with Gemini or BitGo, our primary custodians and licensed depository trusts. For more information, please see BlockFi’s Terms of Service__.

Last updated on August 8th, 2022

As of February 14, 2022, the BlockFi Interest Account (BIA) is no longer available to new clients who are US persons or persons located in the US and existing US clients with BIA accounts are unable to transfer new assets to their BIAs. Learn More.

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Digital currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and crypto accounts held with BlockFi are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections. Digital currency values are not static and fluctuate due to market changes. Not all products and services are available in all geographic areas and are subject to applicable terms and conditions. Eligibility for particular products and services is subject to final determination by BlockFi. Rates for BlockFi products are subject to change.

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BlockFi International Ltd. holds a Class F digital assets business license under the Digital Assets Business Act, 2018 (as amended) and is licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority to conduct the following digital assets business activities: (i) issuing, selling or redeeming virtual coins, tokens or any other form of digital assets (ii) operating as a digital asset exchange (iii) providing custodial wallet services (iv) operating as a digital asset derivative exchange provider and (v) operating as a digital assets services vendor.

See blockfi.com/terms for more information.