The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is exploring the automation of its approval process for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), potentially eliminating the need for 19b-4 filings. (Source: News from Japan, Date: Not specified) Instead, issuers would submit a Form S-1 and wait 75 days, with the ETF becoming effective if the SEC doesn't object.
This change could significantly reduce the back-and-forth between fund managers and regulators. Approval of crypto ETFs is a major theme, with the potential for new capital to enter the altcoin market. The SEC recently approved the first U.S. staking-based crypto ETF, REX Shares Solana ETF (STAK).
The SEC is currently delaying final decisions on several crypto-related ETFs, with deadlines for many applications approaching in the second half of 2025. These include ETFs holding Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP), and those with staking features for Ethereum (ETH) funds.