ETFtober Explodes: VanEck, ARK, 21Shares Flood SEC With Crypto ETF Applications

The regulatory gates are swinging open as investment giants place their biggest bets yet on digital assets.

Wall Street's Crypto Gold Rush

VanEck doubles down on its Ethereum strategy while ARK Invest partners with 21Shares for a diversified crypto basket. These aren't tentative probes—they're full-scale assaults on traditional finance's last bastions of resistance.

The Institutional Floodgates

Each filing represents billions in potential capital waiting to pour into digital markets. The paperwork stacks higher than a Bitcoin miner's electricity bill during a bull run.

Regulatory Chess Match

The SEC's inbox now resembles a crypto trader's portfolio—overstuffed and volatile. Watch for approval timelines that move slower than a banker understanding DeFi.

Traditional finance finally discovered FOMO, and they're bringing their entire retirement fund with them.

TLDR

• VanEck filed for a Lido Staked Ethereum ETF that will track stETH and offer staking rewards.
• ARK Invest submitted three new Bitcoin ETFs, including two with downside protection features.
• 21Shares filed for a leveraged crypto ETF offering 2x exposure to the Hyperliquid token HYPE.
• Volatility Shares proposed 3x and 5x leveraged ETFs tied to crypto assets and major US stocks.
• The filings were submitted despite the ongoing 17-day US government shutdown that is delaying SEC decisions.

At least five new crypto ETFs were filed this week despite a 17-day US government shutdown. ETF issuers continue to expand aggressively, targeting niche markets and advanced strategies. Major players including VanEck, 21Shares, ARK Invest, and Volatility Shares submitted new applications with the US SEC.

VanEck Files Lido Staked Ethereum ETF

VanEck filed an S-1 form for the VanEck Lido Staked ethereum ETF on Thursday. The proposed crypto ETF will track stETH, Lido’s liquid staking token, and collect staking rewards. According to the filing, “the trust expects to accrue certain staking rewards through its ownership of stETH.”

VanEck registered a statutory trust in Delaware on October 2 to launch the product. stETH represents staked Ethereum and offers holders access to yield while maintaining liquidity. Lido currently manages 8.5 million ETH, valued at approximately $33 billion, with a staking yield of 3.3%.

The VanEck Lido Staked Ethereum ETF aims to combine staking yields with daily liquidity. This makes it distinct from traditional crypto ETFs, which focus solely on asset tracking. It also marks a strategic MOVE toward Ethereum-based income products.

ARK Invest Unveils Three Bitcoin Yield ETFs

ARK Invest submitted applications for three new Bitcoin-based crypto ETFs this Tuesday. The ARK Bitcoin Yield ETF seeks to generate returns through option selling and other income-based strategies. This approach offers investors potential yield alongside exposure to Bitcoin price action.

Additionally, ARK filed for two DIET Bitcoin ETFs with built-in downside protection features. DIET Bitcoin 1 offers 50% downside protection and provides access to upside opportunities after a 5% price rise each quarter. Meanwhile, DIET Bitcoin 2 offers 10% protection and more upside potential beyond Bitcoin’s starting price.

These filings expand ARK’s crypto ETF suite with more risk-managed options. They exhibit a shift toward structured products that cater to cautious institutional demand. This comes even as SEC decision-making remains stalled by the government shutdown.

Leveraged Crypto ETFs Gain Filing Momentum

On Thursday, 21Shares filed for a 2x leveraged crypto ETF tied to the Hyperliquid native token, HYPE. The product offers exposure to the token’s daily performance with amplified returns. It adds another niche instrument to the expanding list of crypto ETFs.

Volatility Shares submitted plans for 3x and 5x Leveraged ETFs earlier this week. These will target both crypto assets and major US equities. The move reflects growing interest in high-risk, high-reward strategies despite regulatory uncertainty.

VanEck also updated its solana Staking ETF filing on Wednesday, lowering the proposed fee to 0.3%. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart confirmed the update. As Nate Geraci stated, “Once the government shutdown ends, spot crypto ETF floodgates open.”