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The process for launching crypto-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. has become significantly more streamlined, thanks to updated guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and increased familiarity among market participants. After years of regulatory uncertainty and delays, ETF issuers are now finding it easier to bring digital asset products to market, particularly those that offer futures-based exposure or indirect access to crypto.
One key factor is the growing acceptance of futures-based crypto ETFs, such as those tied to bitcoin or ether. These products have now gone through the SEC’s review process multiple times, giving both regulators and issuers a clearer roadmap. Unlike in previous years, when approvals were sporadic and rules felt ambiguous, recent developments suggest a more predictable framework is taking shape, particularly under the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets.
Another change is that issuers no longer need to file time-consuming exemptive relief requests for many types of crypto ETFs. This reduces bureaucratic friction and shortens the timeline from proposal to listing. While spot bitcoin ETFs remain in regulatory limbo, the path for other crypto-linked funds, especially those that fit within existing 1940 Act structures, is now more straightforward.
This regulatory shift reflects broader institutional acceptance of digital assets and a more mature compliance environment. With multiple ETF issuers, including major asset managers, now actively pursuing crypto strategies, the playing field is expanding. As clarity improves and product pipelines grow, investors can expect more diverse and accessible options for gaining crypto exposure through traditional brokerage channels.
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