By In a landmark regulatory shift, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced new listing standards that dramatically simplify the approval process for cryptocurrency ETFs. This move is expected to ignite a wave of new ETF filings tied to a broader set of digital assets.
Previously, each crypto ETF submission underwent individual SEC review, often stretching approval over 270 days or more. The new framework replaces this with generic listing pathways, cutting approval to as little as 75 days for products meeting specific criteria.
Under the revamped rules, exchanges such as NYSE, Nasdaq, and Cboe can adopt these generic standards, eliminating the dual filing approach previously required. This is expected to broaden access beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The revamped criteria include:
- Underlying crypto must trade on regulated markets,
- Futures contracts regulated by CFTC for at least six months,
- Or existing ETFs with 40% direct holdings in the asset.
Industry players are already acting. Grayscale converted its multi-coin fund to go public within 48 hours of the rule changes. Others like VanEck and Canary Capital are lining up filings.
Still, the path isn’t without uncertainty. It remains to be seen how many less-established tokens can attract meaningful investor flows, and whether all filings will qualify for the expedited route. The first products under the new regime are likely to debut in October 2025.
If executed well, this change could mark a turning point in integrating crypto into mainstream financial markets—opening fresh avenues for institutional and retail participation.