Wintermute Clears SEC Hurdle to Target Crypto ETF Market

Crypto market maker Wintermute has taken a major step toward traditional finance by securing a crucial foothold in US securities markets. Its American subsidiary, Wintermute USA LLC, is now officially registered as a broker dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has gained membership with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

This new status lets the proprietary trading firm handle equities, provide liquidity, and serve as an authorized participant for exchange traded products tied to digital assets. Wintermute already facilitates billions in daily trading volume across global exchanges, and CEO Evgeny Gaevoy notes that traditional finance and digital assets are steadily moving toward deeper integration.

While the firm does not yet offer customer brokerage or custody services, the regulatory approval closes a key gap in its institutional business. The company still needs to join the Depository Trust Company and secure agreements with specific fund distributors before joining the official creation and redemption process for major funds.

Traders should watch for Wintermute to announce its first official issuer partnerships in the coming months. This move highlights how major crypto native firms continue building bridges into regulated Wall Street products.