Bitwise Files for Dogecoin ETF – Here’s the Expected Launch Timeline

Wall Street's latest crypto play: A meme coin gets the ETF treatment.

Bitwise just dropped the regulatory paperwork for a Dogecoin-focused exchange-traded fund, sending the OG meme coin's price bouncing. The filing update hints at a potential Q1 2026 launch—just in time for the next crypto bull run.

Why it matters: Institutional DOGE exposure without the wallet headaches. Though let's be real—after the Bitcoin ETF gold rush, every asset manager's suddenly a 'crypto believer' when there's fees to harvest.

Key details buried in the SEC filing suggest a physically-backed structure. No word yet on whether Elon Musk will tweet this into existence faster than the SEC can review it.

Bottom line: The same traders who mocked DOGE in 2020 will now pitch it as 'strategic altcoin exposure' to their clients. Such is the circle of crypto life.

Automatic Effectiveness Could Trigger Launch

The filing change relies on a mechanism allowed under Section 8(a) of the US Securities Act. Reports say that removing the delaying language starts a 20 calendar-day countdown.

If the US Securities and Exchange Commission does not act during that period, the registration could become effective around November 26, 2025. That is why several outlets have used that specific date when describing the move.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Bitwise has taken out the “delaying amendment” from its S-1 filing.

Looks like Bitwise is doing the 8(a) move for their spot dogecoin ETF, which basically means they plan on going effective in 20 days barring an intervention. pic.twitter.com/y8jyxbYKXQ

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) November 6, 2025

Custody And Structure Details Provided

According to the prospectus excerpts cited in multiple reports, the fund WOULD hold actual Dogecoin — not futures contracts. Custody arrangements listed include Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC for DOGE and BNY Mellon for cash holdings.

The ETF’s net asset value would be tied to the CF Dogecoin-Dollar Settlement Price, the filing shows. Reports also indicate the product is expected to list on NYSE Arca, though a final ticker symbol and fee schedule have not been published.

Even with the 20-day clock ticking, approval is not guaranteed. The SEC can step in during that window to delay or require further disclosures, and officials have done so in other cases. Market participants also note that an effective registration is only one step.

Exchange listing mechanics, market-maker arrangements and custodial confirmations can affect when shares actually begin trading. As a result, an effective date and a trading launch date may differ.

A spot ETF for Dogecoin would be a continuation of a wave of spot crypto products that have sought to gain access to mainstream distribution. Reports indicate the move signifies heightened institutional demand to expand regulated access to altcoins in addition to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Still, the filing itself warns of usual risks: token price swings, liquidity concerns and competition from other funds. No specific expense ratio or seed capital figures were disclosed in the filings cited by the press.

Public statements from the SEC, formal confirmation of the effective date on regulatory filings, and notices from NYSE Arca are expected to outline the next steps. Details such as the ETF’s ticker symbol, expense ratio, and participation from market makers are likely to surface as the launch process continues.

Featured image from WallpaperCG, chart from TradingView