In one of its most sweeping regulatory shifts in years, the SEC has paved the way for broader cryptocurrency ETF issuance by simplifying listing requirements and approval procedures. The decision is expected to catalyze a surge of applications from asset managers eager to capitalize on digital asset demand.
The new regime eliminates the burdensome case-by-case reviews previously required, reducing approval time from up to 270 days down to 75 days for eligible funds. Exchanges such as NYSE, Nasdaq, and Cboe are now authorized to adopt these “generic listing” standards, reducing duplicated filings.
To quality, a crypto ETF must meet one of several criteria: listed on a regulated exchange, futures regulated by CFTC for six months, or backed by existing ETFs with at least 40% direct holdings. Grayscale quickly seized the opportunity, launching a multi-coin ETF that includes Bitcoin, Ether, SOL, XRP, and Cardano.
Other asset managers are currently working to revise filings. VanEck, Canary Capital, and others expect a wave of new products to hit the market in Q4 2025.
Still, questions remain over liquidity, investor appetite, and regulatory interpretation. ETFs tied to lesser-known coins may face uphill battles. Even so, the move marks an inflection point in how digital assets may be woven into mainstream finance.
