155 Crypto ETFs Await SEC Approval: The Full List of 35 Tokens (SOL, XRP, LTC, AVAX…)
- Why Are 155 Crypto ETFs Stuck in Limbo?
- Solana Ties Bitcoin: The Shocking ETF Filing Leaderboard
- The Complete List: 35 Tokens With Pending ETFs
- Altcoin Gold Rush: Why Institutions Are Diversifying
- Shutdown Fallout: How Long Will the Delay Last?
- Memecoins Steal the Spotlight (As Always)
- FAQ: Crypto ETF Standstill
The U.S. SEC is sitting on a backlog of 155 crypto ETF applications, stalled by a government shutdown. Solana has emerged as a surprise leader, tying with bitcoin at 23 filings each, while XRP, Ethereum, and altcoins like AVAX and DOGE follow closely. Here’s the full breakdown of the crypto ETF race—and why institutions are betting big beyond Bitcoin and ETH.
Why Are 155 Crypto ETFs Stuck in Limbo?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a pile of 155 cryptocurrency ETF applications gathering dust—not because of merit, but due to a federal government shutdown. With agencies operating at skeleton crews, approvals for spot Solana, XRP, and even meme coin ETFs are frozen indefinitely. Analysts now predict the queue could stretch past 200 filings by late 2025. "This is a regulatory traffic jam," notes BTCC market strategist Liam Chen. "Projects like Solana that had momentum are now in purgatory."
Solana Ties Bitcoin: The Shocking ETF Filing Leaderboard
Move over, Bitcoin—Solana has pulled off a coup. Both assets lead with 23 ETF filings each, per data from Bloomberg and CoinMarketCap. XRP takes second place (20 filings), followed by Ethereum (10), Litecoin (9), and Avalanche (7). The rankings reveal a clear trend: institutional investors want exposure beyond the "Big Two."
Its cheap, fast transactions and thriving DeFi/NFT ecosystem make it a "tech darling." XRP’s regulatory clarity post-SEC lawsuit gives it an edge, while Ethereum’s maturity means fewer new ETF demands (existing ones cover it).
The Complete List: 35 Tokens With Pending ETFs
Here’s every cryptocurrency with ETF applications filed since January 2025, ranked by filing volume:
| Token | ETF Filings |
|---|---|
| Solana (SOL) | 23 |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 23 |
| XRP | 20 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 10 |
| Litecoin (LTC) | 9 |
| Avalanche (AVAX) | 7 |
Altcoin Gold Rush: Why Institutions Are Diversifying
The ETF filings reveal a hunger for niche bets: memecoins (DOGE, BONK), layer-2 tokens (ARB, OP), and even politically themed coins like "Trump Token." Asset managers are crafting thematic products—imagine an "NFT Ecosystem ETF" or "DeFi Blue Chip Basket." As one trader quipped on Crypto Twitter: "We went from ‘When Bitcoin ETF?’ to ‘Which Solana ETF has the best staking yield?’ real quick."
Shutdown Fallout: How Long Will the Delay Last?
With the U.S. government partially closed, SEC Chair Gary Gensler can’t even get coffee, let alone approve ETFs. Historical shutdowns averaged 2-3 weeks, but 2025’s political gridlock could stretch it to months. "The bottleneck isn’t just at the SEC," explains Chen. "Custodians, market makers—they’re all in holding patterns." Some issuers are pivoting to offshore markets, while others pray for a budget deal.
Memecoins Steal the Spotlight (As Always)
While ETFs wait, degenerate finance marches on. Projects like "Maxi Doge"—a 1000x Leveraged memecoin—are raking in presale cash. Its roadmap? "Moon missions, community battles, and a token burn so hot it’ll melt your Ledger." As one buyer on BTCC put it: "ETFs are for boomers. I’m here for the memes."
FAQ: Crypto ETF Standstill
How many crypto ETF applications are pending?
155 ETF filings tracking 35 different cryptocurrencies await SEC approval as of October 2025.
Which token has the most ETF filings?
Solana (SOL) and Bitcoin (BTC) are tied at 23 filings each, per Bloomberg data.
Why is the SEC delaying approvals?
A U.S. government shutdown has paralyzed non-essential agencies, including the SEC’s ETF review division.
