The SEC may streamline the ETF approval process

According to various reports on X, including from Eleanor Terrett, the SEC is currently trying to find ways to streamline the approval process for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), especially those related to cryptocurrency-related products. 

The agency, which just came under new leadership, has been swamped with crypto ETFs that need approval and has been criticized for dragging its feet on the filings before it. However, if the rumors circulating on X are true, the SEC may be getting ready to clear the backlog of ETFs on its plate, essentially ushering the industry into a new age.

5. “The outcome of our rules is not effective when companies require highly specialized lawyers and compensation consultants to prepare disclosure that the reasonable investor struggles to understand.”

— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) June 26, 2025

The SEC may streamline the ETF approval process

According to Eleanor Terrett, the SEC’s plan to create a generic listing standard for token-based ETFs in coordination with exchanges is still in the early stages.

“The thinking, I’m told, is that if a token meets the criteria, issuers could skip the 19b-4 process, file an S-1, wait 75 days, and the exchange could list it,” she wrote. The reporter went on to highlight how the approach has the potential to save the issuers and spare the regulator the horror of doing all that paperwork or going back and forth on comments.

Terrett also clarified that the listing standards that will determine if a token meets the criteria are not yet known; however, market cap, trading volume and liquidity are reportedly all under consideration.

The SEC has declined to comment on the topic, but speculation has continued on X with users weighing in with thoughts on the odds of it really happening.

Sentiment is optimistic, but more critical users have highlighted the importance of clarity, especially where factors like the market cap, trading volume, and liquidity are concerned. Others are just curious to see what tokens, if any, will meet the criteria, whatever they are.

Approval odds for crypto ETFs, especially Solana-based ones, are soaring

As things stand, nine Solana-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been filed with the SEC from issuers like VanEck, 21Shares, Bitwise Asset Management, Canary Capital, among others.

The filings primarily focus on spot Solana ETFs, with some including provisions for staking Solana tokens to generate yield. Last month saw the SEC request amended S-1 filings from Solana ETF issuers within a week, causing some to speculate that an approval timeline as early as July is possible.

Bloomberg analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart have also just raised their approval odds for altcoin ETFs to over 90% by the end of 2025, thanks to constructive engagement with the SEC.

Analysts also revealed that among the ETFs currently awaiting approval, most have above 90% chances of getting approved, with the exception of the Sui ETF, which has 60% odds, and Tron/Pengu ETFs with their respective 50% chances.

The Solana ETF filings that now seem to be on the verge of being fast-tracked for approval were initially met with skepticism since Solana was classified as a potential security in lawsuits against exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken.

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