ETF Month: 16 Crypto Funds Await SEC Final Decision

ETF Month: 16 Crypto Funds Await SEC Final Decision

The cryptocurrency industry could see a veritable avalanche of new cryptocurrency ETFs in October. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to issue final rulings on a total of 16 applications for spot ETFs focused on cryptocurrencies next month. Many analysts see this as a major milestone that could spark a new market rally and boost investors’ exposure to lower-risk digital assets.

Who and what’s in the package?

The list of proposed ETF approvals was compiled by Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart and highlights several key items. Among the top candidates is Canary’s decentralized Litecoin ETF, with a decision deadline of October 2. Next up is Grayscale’s Solana and the Litecoin Trust Conversion on October 10. Closing out October is WisdomTree’s XRP fund, with a final deadline of October 24. Although the deadlines are set, the SEC itself can make a decision any time before or after the deadline.

Why is this important? The approval or rejection of individual funds is expected to have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market by providing traditional investors with an easy way to gain exposure to selected coins without having to trade on cryptocurrency exchanges. A Bitfinex analyst and market representative speculated that the new ETF season could provoke a rally in altcoins thanks to broader interest from both institutional and retail investors.

What do the experts say?

Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, sums it up as “a huge next few weeks” for spot cryptocurrency ETFs. In a post on X, he noted that the SEC’s decision applies to the entire package and that it could come at any time within the specified deadlines for individual applications. From his perspective, we are therefore watching intensive questioning and conclusions throughout October.

Daan Crypto Trades also has its say on the crypto market, calling October “ETF month.” However, he points out that two major players are missing from the expected candidates – Fidelity and BlackRock. Regardless, he adds with caution that these October dates are important for investors and worth watching closely.

How are the rules changing to support faster approval?

The SEC has already postponed decisions on some ETFs several times during 2025 and set new dates at the same time. At the same time, the regulator has taken steps that could accelerate the path to the launch of spot cryptocurrency ETFs on the market. An important milestone was September 17, when the SEC approved a new standard for listing shares of commodity trusts. According to Seyffart, this policy change is proving to be a positive step towards “breaking into” a larger series of spot cryptocurrency ETFs.

Further developments and prospects

Market observers point out that since the change in listing standards, some asset managers have already expanded their ETF portfolios to include other cryptocurrencies, including XRP, Solana and Stellar. Meanwhile, analysts warn that the winning approval of individual funds could open the door to a number of similar products in the coming months, including min:coin with futures on Coinbase, which could theoretically be eligible for spot ETF-ization.

What does this mean for investors?

For investors looking for a legal and regulated way to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies within a traditional investment framework, spot ETFs represent an attractive option. Approval of more of these funds could bring greater liquidity, transparency, and simplified tax and administrative frameworks. On the other hand, the rejection of some applications could mean delays and further uncertainty in the market.

Conclusion

October promises to be a game-changer for the entire cryptocurrency sector. 16 pending applications for spot ETFs could be game-changing, giving institutional and retail investors access to select coins and starting a new wave of active trading. Whether the SEC approves all, some, or none of these funds, expectations remain high and October will be the real test for the future of cryptocurrency ETFs.

*This is not investment advice.

The Coingarage Team