Analyst Predicts Memecoin ETFs by 2026 Amid Growing Crypto Product Demand

Memecoin ETFs could debut by 2026, driven by increasing demand for actively managed cryptocurrency products. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas anticipates a wave of actively managed crypto ETFs by late 2025, paving the way for niche offerings like memecoin-focused funds.

The SEC's delays in approving such products have fueled frustration among issuers, who are pushing for a restoration of the "first-to-file" ETF review model. Balchunas projects that a U.S.-listed memecoin ETF may emerge as early as 2026, capitalizing on the uneven performance and lack of sell-side coverage in the memecoin market.

"Really good chance this exists at some point," Balchunas noted, suggesting active management could thrive in this space. The dispersion in returns among memecoins creates ripe conditions for active strategies, potentially producing the next star portfolio manager.