Issuers Ramp Up Filings as Crypto ETF Launch Frenzy Looms

Wall Street's rushing to secure pole position in the coming crypto ETF gold rush—paperwork's flying as asset managers scramble for first-mover advantage.

The Filing Blitz

Major institutions keep submitting amended applications ahead of anticipated regulatory approvals. They're positioning products across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets—hedging bets that the floodgates finally open this cycle.

Behind the Scenes

Teams work overtime drafting prospectuses, structuring custody solutions, and negotiating market-maker agreements. It's a logistical marathon—because being second in finance might as well mean being last.

The Real Play

They're not just betting on crypto—they're betting on lazy capital. Why bother with private keys when you can get exposure through your retirement account? Another innovation in making investing easier… and less profitable for the average Joe.

Another point Brokate made last August? Advisers in the US are likely going to one day be the biggest buyer of crypto ETFs. Those financial pros don’t want to have to pick winners and losers. 

As Hashdex CIO Samir Kerbage told me: “When multiple assets become investable, crypto index investing will be the natural path forward — offering diversification, risk mitigation and a simpler way for advisers and investors to gain exposure to the crypto economy.”

Hashdex has sought to expand the investment universe for its crypto index fund that currently just holds BTC and ETH. Crypto index funds by Grayscale and Bitwise gained SEC approval — but the agency issued stay orders to prevent them from listing for now.

You might recall Bitwise’s Ryan Rasmussen telling me earlier this week that index funds will be all the rage on the crypto stock side too as more segment firms go public.

Investors just want easy and ample access to a market poised to benefit from more institutional adoption and (buzz phrase incoming) regulatory tailwinds. From an index of 10 crypto tokens to Dogecoin leverage, there will be plenty to choose from. 

With how nascent this industry is, issuers might as well try to bring to market as many tools as possible. They can always cull their lineups later on once we see how the industry evolves.

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