SEC Scrutinizes 90+ Crypto ETF Filings as Institutional Floodgates Prepare to Open

Wall Street's waiting game hits fever pitch as regulators wrestle with avalanche of digital asset applications.

The Approval Stampede

More than ninety cryptocurrency ETF proposals now sit on the SEC's desk—each one representing billions in potential institutional capital waiting to flood digital markets. Traditional finance giants and crypto-native firms alike jockey for position in what could become the largest asset class rollout of the decade.

Regulatory Gridlock or Calculated Delay?

Sources close to the process describe a deliberation marked by unprecedented complexity rather than outright opposition. The commission faces mounting pressure to establish clear frameworks for custody, market surveillance, and investor protections—all while avoiding another 'too little, too late' regulatory approach that typically follows financial innovation.

Market Implications

Approval could trigger immediate capital inflows exceeding early bitcoin ETF launches, while rejection might reinforce crypto's outsider status. Either way, the sheer volume of applications signals that institutional demand can no longer be ignored—even by regulators who still can't decide whether crypto is the future of finance or just a speculative toy for the wealthy.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) currently reviews over 90 cryptocurrency ETF applications, involving Bitcoin$0.000017, Ethereum$4,416, and various altcoins. As listed by Bloomberg Intelligence, experts anticipate a favorable decision by the SEC to coincide with the Federal Reserve’s potential interest rate cuts. Such regulatory developments could usher in a new era for the cryptocurrency market.

Pending Altcoin ETF Applications

Among the ETF applications awaiting SEC approval are those related to ethereum staking, XRP, Solana$225, Injective, SUI, Near, Ondo, Aptos, Chainlink$24, Avalanche, Trump Coin, BNB, Cardano$0.88511, Polkadot, SEI, Litecoin, AXL, Bonk, Melania Coin, Dogecoin$0.000012, and Hedera. Notably, many of these applications have final decision dates scheduled for the last quarter of the year.

Beyond single asset-linked ETFs, applications include “basket” categories that aggregate multiple cryptocurrencies in a single fund. Such structures stand out by offering investors a diversified product. Approval of these ETFs is expected to diversify the altcoin market with new product offerings.

BlackRock’s Position on Altcoin ETFs

Despite being the world’s largest asset management firm, BlackRock has yet to submit an ETF application for altcoins to the SEC, maintaining focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum. Meanwhile, other prominent fund managers like Franklin, VanEck, Grayscale, and ProShares have their altcoin ETF applications pending with the SEC.

Approval of these altcoin ETF applications could significantly boost institutional investor interest, marking a crucial development. The SEC’s decisions will be pivotal in shaping future regulatory landscapes and market dynamics.