According to former Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is leaning towards simplifying the approval process for listing spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
🚨SCOOP: The @SECGov is in the early stages of creating a generic listing standard for token-based ETFs in coordination with exchanges.
The thinking, I’m told, is that if a token meets the criteria, issuers could skip the 19b-4 process, file an S-1, wait 75 days, and the…
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) July 1, 2025
Notably, the SEC desk is filled with numerous filings from various asset managers seeking to list a handful of crypto ETFs. Thus, this new approach will make it easier to choose which applications to approve or deny within a short period.
Simplified ETF Listing Incoming
As revealed by Terrett, the SEC would have laid out criteria for tokens that issuers would want to list as investment funds. If these tokens meet the requirements, the asset managers could decide to skip the 19b-4 process and file a direct S-1 application. Thereafter, they’ll wait for about 75 days for exchange listing.
Notably, this approach would save both intending ETF issuers and the securities agency considerable time and resources, reducing paperwork and recurring issues related to commenting and amending ETF filings.
Meanwhile, the famous U.S. ETF issuer Bitwise, which has been applying for a Spot Dogecoin (DOGE) ETF since Q1 2025, has submitted an updated copy of its filing, signaling SEC involvement in the application. Following the amendment, it has introduced “in-kind” creations and redemptions in spot ETFs, allowing holders to exchange their ETFs for underlying assets directly.
Pending ETF Approvals
Following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 and Ether ETFs a few months later, many U.S. asset managers have filed with the U.S. SEC for investment funds tied to various altcoins, including Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and others.
While these applications have not yet been approved, the new pro-crypto SEC administration boosts issuers’ confidence in a forthcoming approval. According to a recent Bloomberg analysis, the chances of a green light for the spot SOL and DOGE ETF have risen to 90% with XRP at 85%.
Meanwhile, the U.S. crypto ETF market remains bullish, with Bitcoin ETFs continuing a 15-day inflow streak.
