Altcoin ETF season: which crypto fund is next?

As a seasoned crypto investor with years of experience in this dynamic market, I’m thrilled about the recent approval of spot Ethereum ETFs by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This landmark decision not only marks a new chapter for Ethereum but also paves the way for other altcoin-based funds, including potential Solana ETFs.


The approval of an Ethereum ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) has rekindled optimism within the cryptocurrency community regarding the potential introduction of similar funds based on other altcoins.

Last week, the SEC in the United States gave its green light to proposals for launching Ethereum spot ETFs. This decision has fueled optimism within the cryptocurrency realm, as it could pave the way for the creation of funds based on other prominent altcoins, such as Solana.

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How a spot ETF works

An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) focused on a specific spot allows investors to gain exposure to the value of a digital cryptocurrency without actually owning the asset physically. The investment works by following the real-time market price of the cryptocurrency.

When an investor buys shares in a spot ETF for cryptocurrencies, they gain ownership of a proportional interest in the underlying fund. This fund holds actual cryptocurrencies in their physical form. The experts overseeing the fund handle its management and portfolio.

Investors can effortlessly access the Bitcoin market by owning a place in the Bitcoin ETF. This eliminates the requirement of personally acquiring, storing, and managing Bitcoin or portfolio, potentially leading to a surge in Bitcoin investment interest.

Acceptance of Crypto ETFs in the U.S.

Towards the close of 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave its approval for the initiation of Bitcoin futures ETFs for the first time. Later, in January 2024, the SEC endorsed the first 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs following a landmark lawsuit filed by Grayscale against the regulatory body. The legal action brought about a shift in the SEC’s stance.

The triumphant outcome in the court case and the subsequent validation of spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) paved the way for a narrower gap between digital and conventional assets. As a result, Grayscale, which previously managed the Bitcoin Trust under certain limitations, now holds the potential to evolve into a fully-fledged ETF.

Altcoin ETFs

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted approval for eight Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from Grayscale, Bitwise, BlackRock, VanEck, ARK 21Shares, Invesco, Fidelity, and Franklin, in a single ruling. This landmark decision signifies the commencement of altcoin ETFs on U.S. markets.

As an analyst, I’ve noticed a surge of curiosity within the crypto community regarding the potential approval of ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) based on popular altcoins, following Ethereum’s recent success.

Solana ETF

As a researcher studying the burgeoning blockchain landscape, I’ve noticed Solana (SOL) making waves in the industry. A potential next step for this promising cryptocurrency could be the creation of an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). However, it is important to note that the establishment of a Solana ETF is contingent upon regulatory approval. In order to secure this approval, the fund issuer must meticulously prove that all regulations concerning investor protection and market integrity are being adhered to.

Experts predict that Solana may join the cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) market in the near future, although the precise timeline for approval is still uncertain.

What industry participants are saying

As a crypto investor, I’ve taken note of Brian Kelly, the CEO of BKCM, sharing his perspective that the approval of spot Ethereum ETFs in the US market is a significant development. He further anticipates that Solana ETFs will soon follow suit. With this entry into the American stock market, Solana is poised to emerge as a formidable competitor to Ethereum in my investment portfolio.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ethereum’s status, unlike with Solana (SOL). The lawsuits against Coinbase, Kraken, and others clearly label Solana as a security. This classification could potentially lead to a bumpy journey ahead.— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) May 22, 2024

James Seyffart, an analyst at Bloomberg for Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), pointed out that following the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, providers are expected to explore the creation of Solana ETFs next.

As a researcher studying the crypto derivatives market, I’ve come across Seyffart’s perspective that it will take a few years before this market is fully regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). He highlighted the significance of the passage of the “Financial Innovation and Technologies for the 21st Century” (FIT21) bill in expediting this process.

According to existing trends and requirements, a CFTC-regulated futures market for a specific digital asset, such as SOL, is likely to be established within a few years. However, legislation like the FIT21 market structure bills could potentially expedite this process.— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) May 22, 2024

As a crypto investor, I’m excited about Hunter Horsley’s prediction that by the end of 2024, numerous traditional financial institutions will have jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon and begun investing in Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). This shift may come as a surprise to those within the crypto community.

The leader of Bitwise firmly believes that introducing a fresh category of digital assets into the market will make crypto investing even more alluring for potential investors.

By the end of 2024, I believe it will come as a surprise to many how numerous wealth management firms have acquired a bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) in their portfolios. These firms are intelligent and well-informed individuals, and an increasing number of us share a strong belief in Bitcoin’s potential. We are long-term investors, making the addition of a bitcoin ETF an exciting new constituent in our investment strategies.

— Hunter Horsley (@HHorsley) April 20, 2024

Tristan Frizza, the founder of Zeta Markets, shared his perspective with crypto.news. He noted that Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) are currently seen as the most important cryptocurrencies during this market cycle. As a result, given the recent approval of the ETH Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), it is expected that Solana could be the next cryptocurrency to receive an ETF.

“While Bitcoin has been touted as ‘digital gold’ and Ethereum has institutional focus, Solana is the network embraced by retail users with consistently among the highest activity metrics. The recent booms of protocol launches and token TGEs on Solana have also brought a lot of attention, users, and capital inflow to the network, and the anticipation of further growth will make it seem more than likely to place Solana as a lead asset to be considered for the ETF.”

Tristan Frizza, Zeta Markets founder

As a researcher studying the Solana ecosystem, I can’t definitively predict the outcome of an ETF approval just yet. However, I believe this development could generate significant interest, investment, and engagement from various stakeholders. This influx of attention could in turn accelerate Solana’s growth trajectory, further fueling its flywheel effect. This is a scenario that many network supporters are hoping for.

The news outlet, crypto.news, has asked for a response from the Solana Foundation team concerning the potential approval of a Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF).

Conclusion: will the crypto industry see Solana ETFs?

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granting its approval for Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) has ignited speculation about the possibility of Solana-based ETFs. Such ETFs could make it easier for a wider audience to invest in the SOL token.

As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency market, I can tell you that approving an altcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) would represent a substantial achievement, much like the approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs before it. This development could draw in more institutional investors to the world of cryptocurrencies, expanding their presence and influence within this dynamic market.

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2024-05-31 16:38