BREAKING: Solana & XRP ETFs Poised for Launch as SEC Backs Down—Next Crypto Bull Run Catalyst?

The SEC just blinked—and the crypto world is scrambling to capitalize. With regulators softening their stance, Solana and XRP ETFs are now front-runners in the race for mainstream financial adoption. Here’s why Wall Street’s about to get a crypto makeover.

The ETF Gold Rush 2.0

After years of stonewalling, the SEC’s sudden pivot has traders betting big on altcoin ETFs. Solana’s blistering speed and XRP’s legal clarity make them prime candidates—while Bitcoin maximalists seethe in the corner.

Institutional FOMO Hits Overdrive

BlackRock’s crypto desk is reportedly dusting off old Solana whitepapers as asset managers rush to stake claims. Meanwhile, banks are quietly rebranding their ‘risk departments’ as ‘digital asset opportunity teams.’

The Fine Print Nobody’s Reading

Buried in the SEC’s 300-page memo: a clause allowing ‘alternative digital asset vehicles’ (translation: loopholes big enough to drive a blockchain through). Cynics note the timing—just as election campaigns discover crypto donations.

This isn’t just approval—it’s an arms race. The real question isn’t if these ETFs launch, but which hedge fund manager will be first to tweet ‘WAGMI’ from their Hamptons estate.

A Bank’s Take: The Top Four Cryptos

According to Yanowitz, during the meeting, the bank divided the crypto world into two groups: “the top four” and “everything else.” In their view, the top four crypto assets include Bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL). This suggests these assets have achieved a level of credibility and importance that sets them apart from the rest of the crypto market.

Interestingly, this bank’s ranking doesn’t rely solely on market capitalization. While Bitcoin and Ethereum clearly lead the pack, XRP and Solana have also been identified as key players — despite other tokens occasionally outranking them in daily market charts. The bank’s classification likely reflects their focus on regulatory clarity, adoption potential, and institutional interest.

Spot ETFs: Bitcoin and Ethereum Set the Stage

Spot ETFs have been one of the hottest topics in the crypto world since the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year. These financial products allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually buying the asset directly, offering a more traditional investment route through the stock market.

Ethereum followed shortly after, with major financial firms started Ethereum ETFs as well. This has sparked interest from asset managers who are now looking to expand ETF offerings to other digital currencies, including solana and XRP.

Why Solana and XRP?

Solana and XRP are strong candidates for ETF approval for several reasons. Both are widely used, have large market caps, and serve unique purposes in the blockchain ecosystem.

• Solana is known for its high-speed transactions and low fees, making it popular for DeFi projects, NFTs, and dApps.

• XRP, operated on the XRP Ledger by Ripple Labs, focuses on fast and low-cost cross-border payments and has long been a favorite among banks and financial institutions.

Another reason is their improved standing with regulators. In the past, the SEC labeled both XRP and Solana as securities in enforcement actions. However, in recent developments, the agency dropped these allegations, which has improved the chances of both tokens being accepted for spot ETFs.

ETF Approval Odds Rising

Initially, Bloomberg ETF analysts gave XRP and Solana spot ETFs only a 65–70% chance of approval due to ongoing legal uncertainties. But since the SEC dropped the security classification for both tokens, their approval odds have jumped to 85% for XRP and 90% for Solana.

Yanowitz believes the SEC could greenlight Solana ETFs within the next few months, with XRP following shortly after. This timeline lines up with regulatory deadlines published by Bloomberg Intelligence.

ETF Decision Timeline

According to Bloomberg, the SEC is expected to make decisions on spot ETF filings for these two cryptocurrencies later this year:

• Solana ETFs: Deadline by October 10, 2025

• XRP ETFs: Deadline by October 17, 2025

• Litecoin ETFs, which were also considered strong candidates, have an earlier deadline of October 2, 2025

Although Litecoin was initially seen as a likely next choice for ETF approval, Solana and XRP may now be taking the lead, especially given their wider institutional support and technology use cases.

What It Means for Crypto Investors

If the SEC approves ETFs for Solana and XRP, it would mark a major milestone for both assets and the broader crypto industry. ETF approvals could bring in new institutional investors, boost market legitimacy, and increase liquidity — all positive signs for long-term growth.

It also reflects a shift in how traditional financial institutions view digital assets. With a top-five bank recognizing XRP and Solana as part of the “top four,” it’s clear that these tokens are no longer seen as niche assets but rather as major players in the future of finance.

Final Thoughts

The potential approval of Solana and XRP spot ETFs is generating a lot of excitement in the crypto space. With regulatory clarity improving and large banks acknowledging their significance, these tokens are poised to enter a new phase of institutional adoption.

For crypto holders and traders, this could be an opportunity to watch closely. If spot ETFs for Solana and XRP do receive approval, it could open the door to a wave of capital inflows — and possibly a fresh bull run in altcoins.