
Timeline for New Crypto ETF Launches
Industry experts are predicting a wave of new cryptocurrency exchange-traded products could hit the market within the coming months. According to Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan, investors might see multiple crypto ETPs available by Thanksgiving, possibly even by Halloween. He told Blockworks that he doesn’t think people will have to wait until Christmas for these products to arrive.
Bloomberg Intelligence research analyst James Seyffart shares this optimistic timeline, expecting “dozens of products” to launch “probably within the next month or two” and definitely before the year ends. However, both analysts acknowledge that a potential government shutdown could delay the approval process, as regulatory agencies typically halt operations during such events.
Regulatory Shift and Market Impact
The landscape changed significantly in September when the Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards for crypto ETPs. This move signaled the SEC’s transition into what Seyffart described as a “disclosure regulator” role, marking a new era in crypto regulation. While previous bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals took years of scrutiny under former SEC Commissioner Gary Gensler, the process appears to be accelerating for newer assets.
Seyffart specifically mentioned Litecoin and Solana as likely candidates for upcoming ETF launches, with XRP potentially following later. The assumption among industry watchers is that the SEC’s new listing standards cover approximately 12 different crypto assets, including SOL and XRP.
Market Demand and Product Types
Hougan believes ETF issuers will launch “everything they can” in this space. While single-asset ETPs will likely dominate initial launches, both analysts expressed particular interest in index and thematic products. Hougan anticipates that as crypto ETP buyers shift from crypto-native users to the general population, demand will grow for broader exposure rather than individual asset investments.
“As the average buyer of a crypto ETP moves from someone who’s more crypto native to the general population, which I think is like a multi-year transition, but it’s happening, right? It’s moving from crypto Twitter to my uncle,” Hougan explained. He compared this trend to the popularity of thematic ETFs like Invesco’s QQQ.
Seyffart echoed this sentiment, stating he’s “most bullish on these index-type products” while also expecting significant interest in Solana and XRP ETFs based on market patterns observed elsewhere.
Staking Features and Market Evolution
One notable development is the potential inclusion of staking features in upcoming products. Seyffart indicated that SOL ETFs are “most likely” going to launch with staking capabilities, though he cautioned that nothing is guaranteed until official approvals are granted.
Hougan noted the long-awaited nature of these developments, suggesting that most investors will prefer staked exposure, similar to how traditional investors seek dividend-paying stocks. The market will ultimately determine which products succeed based on trading volume and assets under management, with Seyffart emphasizing that “the market will decide what has value.”