The chief executive of the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Intercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE), has discussed the company’s decision not to launch bitcoin futures markets. Jeff Sprecher of ICE described the opacity of the bitcoin markets as a driving factor behind the company’s decision.

Speaking at a financial services conference hosted by Goldman Sachs earlier this week, ICE’s chief executive, Jeff Sprecher, stated “I don’t know what to make of cryptocurrencies,” adding “We didn’t think it was obvious to rush out a product and be first and settle against an index on a lot of exchanges that are not particularly transparent.”

Mr. Sprecher conceded that “We may be stupid for not being first” to launch bitcoin futures, but reaffirmed the company’s wary position regarding cryptocurrencies. “To short that would mean that they have decided to exit and through a legitimate, high-standing, regulated venue, they are exiting, and I look at that and just say, is that going to work out well for me as a venue?”

Do you think it is a mistake for the NYSE not to launch bitcoin futures contracts?