The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a major regulatory shift designed to accelerate the approval of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), setting the stage for a flood of new filings from asset managers.

Under the updated rules, the SEC reduces the approval period from as long as 270 days to 75 days for crypto ETF applications that meet predefined listing standards. The change also removes the need for a case-by-case regulatory review for products that adhere to these standards.

Since the proposal’s unveiling in July 2025, firms have scrambled to adapt their filings. The first wave of newly approved ETFs—likely tied to coins such as Solana and XRP—are anticipated to begin trading in October 2025. Grayscale Investments, for instance, moved quickly to convert its multi-coin fund to a publicly tradable vehicle combining Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano.

To qualify for the streamlined path, a crypto ETF must satisfy one of several criteria:

• The cryptocurrency must already trade on a regulated exchange,

• Or it must have futures contracts regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for at least six months,

• Another route is if an existing ETF holds at least 40% of its assets in that crypto directly (rather than via derivatives).

While enthusiasm is high, challenges remain. It’s unclear how much demand investors will show for ETFs tied to less well-known tokens, and market education will be needed. Some filings may not qualify, and for those outside the new criteria, the traditional approval route still applies.

Overall, this regulatory pivot could usher in a new era of accessibility for digital assets in the U.S. financial markets—but success will depend on issuer discipline, investor appetite, and clarity in execution.