Bitcoin futures contracts are similar to gold futures contracts in the sense that they are both financial derivatives that allow investors to speculate on the future price of the underlying asset (Bitcoin or gold) without needing to own the asset itself[1][2][4].
However, it's important to note that futures contracts do not represent ownership in the underlying asset. Instead, they represent a contractual obligation to buy or sell the asset at a predetermined price at a specific future date. Therefore, while the issuance of futures contracts can increase the number of financial claims on the underlying asset, it does not dilute the value of the asset in the same way that issuing new shares dilutes the value of existing shares in a company[1][2][4].
In other words, while the issuance of Bitcoin or gold futures contracts can affect the market perception and price of the underlying asset, it does not directly affect the value of existing Bitcoins or gold. This is because each Bitcoin or ounce of gold remains distinct and does not confer ownership or claim on any other Bitcoin or ounce of gold, whereas shareholders in a company have a claim on the company's total assets and earnings[1][2][4].
I'm not so sure that a derivative that trades the actual product, not shares of it, would be considered dilution. How so?
here's what I found out:
Bitcoin futures contracts are similar to gold futures contracts in the sense that they are both financial derivatives that allow investors to speculate on the future price of the underlying asset (Bitcoin or gold) without needing to own the asset itself[1][2][4].
However, it's important to note that futures contracts do not represent ownership in the underlying asset. Instead, they represent a contractual obligation to buy or sell the asset at a predetermined price at a specific future date. Therefore, while the issuance of futures contracts can increase the number of financial claims on the underlying asset, it does not dilute the value of the asset in the same way that issuing new shares dilutes the value of existing shares in a company[1][2][4].
In other words, while the issuance of Bitcoin or gold futures contracts can affect the market perception and price of the underlying asset, it does not directly affect the value of existing Bitcoins or gold. This is because each Bitcoin or ounce of gold remains distinct and does not confer ownership or claim on any other Bitcoin or ounce of gold, whereas shareholders in a company have a claim on the company's total assets and earnings[1][2][4].
Citations:
[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/investing-gold-wealthyhood-invest
[2] https://www.bullionvault.co.uk/gold-guide/gold-futures
[3] https://www.gold.org/sites/default/files/documents/gold-investment-research/liquidity_in_the_global_gold_market.pdf
[4] https://www.kraken.com/features/futures/bitcoin-gold
[5] https://sprott.com/insights/sprott-gold-report-gold-vs-gold-stocks-an-unresolved-incongruity/
Ah, thanks.
I believe you're correct. Damn, and here I was thinking I'm savvy enough to spot such things.
Thanks!