SEC Chair Atkins Delays Prediction-Market ETFs to Seek Public Comment

The Securities and Exchange Commission is slowing the rollout of a new class of exchange-traded funds tied to prediction markets, as Chairman Paul Atkins asks staff to gather public comment on the proposed products and weigh their regulatory implications. Bloomberg reported that fund sponsors have agreed to delay several ETF launches while the agency considers how far the traditional ETF structure can be stretched to accommodate contracts tied to events such as elections and economic data.