Altcoin ETF applications surge as SEC softens crypto stance

This year has seen an uptick in the number of altcoin ETF applications, with at least 31 filed in the first half of 2025, Cointelegraph Research found.

Regulatory optimism in the US has led to at least 31 altcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications to the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the first half of 2025.

The SEC has approved futures and spot ETFs for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), but past attempts to list altcoin-related instruments have withered on the vine. Now, renewed optimism after the 2024 elections has led to several new applications that are expected to be approved.

The list includes filings from familiar names such as VanEck, which applied to list ETFs in BNB (BNB) and Avalanche (AVAX). WisdomTree and Franklin Templeton both have XRP (XRP) ETFs pending. Memecoins are also represented, with REX-Osprey applying to list an ETF of US President Donald Trump’s token.

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