The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has again postponed its decisions on spot-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposals tied to cryptocurrencies, including XRP and Dogecoin. Among those impacted are filings submitted by Grayscale, 21Shares, and a separate application for the Grayscale Dogecoin Trust.
According to documents recently published on the SEC’s official site, the agency has formally initiated proceedings to assess the proposed products further. As part of this process, the commission is inviting feedback from the public to aid its evaluation of the legal and regulatory implications surrounding these ETF proposals.
Bitwise Ethereum ETF Staking Amendment Also Faces Delay
Also, the SEC has deferred its ruling on an amendment tied to the Bitwise Ethereum ETF. The amendment seeks to include staking options, potentially enabling investors to earn additional returns through network participation. This feature is a step toward increasing investor exposure to yield-generating opportunities in the Ethereum ecosystem.
The agency is delaying its decision and seeking public input, indicating the issue needs more review.
Public Consultation Opens as Regulator Seeks Broader Perspective
The SEC’s call for public input reflects its ongoing effort to navigate the evolving crypto investment landscape. While no formal conclusions have been reached, the regulator emphasized that the proposals raise complex questions deserving of in-depth public discourse.
Stakeholders have 21 days to submit comments and up to 35 days for rebuttal comments after publication in the Federal Register.
Delays Consistent with SEC’s Pattern on Crypto ETFs
For market watchers, the latest round of deferrals comes as no surprise. Over the past several months, the SEC has repeatedly extended review timelines for various crypto-linked ETFs. Notably, in March, the agency delayed rulings on applications from Grayscale, 21Shares, VanEck, and Canary.
At that time, the decision on Grayscale’s XRP Trust ETF was moved to May 21. That deadline has been pushed back further as the commission continues to examine whether the ETF proposals meet regulatory requirements under Section 6(b)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act. These measures aim to shield investors from fraud and ensure fair market practices.
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Experts Predict Extended Review Period Through October
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart noted that these delays align with the SEC’s standard approach to ETF filings, especially those involving spot crypto assets. He stressed that the regulator generally utilizes the entire 240-day review window before making a final decision.
Delays on spot crypto ETFs are expected. A bunch of XRP ETPs have dates in next few days.
If we're gonna see early approvals from the SEC on any of these assets — i wouldn't expect to see them until late June or early July at absolute earliest. More likely to be in early 4Q.
— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) May 20, 2025
Seyffart expects spot-based crypto ETFs to be approved by Q4 2025, ruling out June-July approvals. He highlighted that October remains the most likely timeframe for a final ruling on the XRP ETF proposals.
Industry Leaders Remain Optimistic Despite Regulatory Hurdles
The ETF and crypto industries remain upbeat despite delays. Nate Geraci believes the SEC will approve proposed ETFs, including altcoin-related ones.
Geraci’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment in the crypto industry that regulatory clarity is on the horizon, even if the path involves extended deliberation.
While the SEC’s latest actions add another chapter to its cautious stance on crypto-linked financial products, they also reinforce the agency’s commitment to thorough due diligence and public engagement. As the comment and rebuttal periods unfold, the market will be watching closely for signs of regulatory evolution that could shape the next wave of crypto investment opportunities.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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