Which country enabled spot BTC ETFs?

TLDR

The United States enabled spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs, and Hong Kong also approved them; South Korea has announced plans to allow spot BTC ETFs in 2026. The U.S. move is confirmed by the SECs approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, and Hong Kongs regulator allowed spot crypto ETFs in April 2024. South Koreas government has outlined its approval timeline in 2026.

1. United States: spot BTC ETFs were approved in 2024, confirmed by an SEC approval reference in a Reuters report via finance news.
2. Hong Kong: spot BTC and ETH ETFs were allowed in April 2024 per a market update.
3. South Korea: plans to allow spot crypto ETFs (including BTC) in 2026 per a regulatory update.

Deep Dive

1. United States

The pivotal change came when the U.S. SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, opening mainstream brokerage and retirement platforms to BTC exposure within regulated wrappers. This is referenced in a Reuters summary noting the SECs approval two years prior to Morgan Stanleys new filings (finance news).

2. Hong Kong

Hong Kongs Securities and Futures Commission allowed spot ETF products tied to Bitcoin and Ether in April 2024, establishing a second major venue for regulated spot crypto ETFs in Asia. Coverage explicitly cites Hong Kongs approval alongside the U.S. precedent (market update).

3. South Korea Plan

South Korea has announced that spot crypto ETFs, including spot BTC ETFs, are part of its 2026 Economic Growth Strategy. Authorities plan to amend capital markets rules to recognize digital assets as ETF underlyings and coordinate stablecoin oversight, aiming to curb offshore flows and retain domestic investment (regulatory update).

Conclusion

Answer: the United States enabled spot BTC ETFs first among major markets, and Hong Kong also approved them; South Korea has publicly targeted a 2026 rollout. The U.S. and Hong Kong approvals brought BTC into mainstream portfolio formats, and Koreas plan signals further institutionalization of crypto access in Asia.