The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed its decisions on three highly anticipated crypto ETFs, moving all of them into October deadlines. The move shows once again that regulators want more time before giving the green light to new products tied to digital assets.
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SEC Pushes Back Crypto ETF Deadlines
In filings dated Aug. 18, the SEC said it will not decide on these ETFs until October. The new deadlines are Oct. 8 for Truth Social’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, Oct. 16 for Solana (SOL-USD) ETFs from 21Shares and Bitwise, and Oct. 19 for the 21Shares Core XRP Trust.
The Truth Social ETF was first filed in June. Despite its branding under former President Donald Trump’s media company, it functions like other crypto ETFs already on the market. It is designed as a trust that directly holds Bitcoin and Ether and issues shares backed by those assets.
The Solana ETF applications are the first of their kind in the United States. If approved, they would allow investors to gain exposure to Solana’s price through regulated shares rather than holding the token directly.
The Core XRP Trust from 21Shares is structured in the same way. It would hold XRP (XRP-USD) and track its market value. The application was approaching its original deadline this week until the SEC gave itself another 60 days to review.
SEC Leans on Extensions to Buy Time
October is shaping up to be a decisive month for crypto ETFs. Over the summer, the SEC has repeatedly delayed decisions on products tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum , XRP, Litecoin (LTC-USD), and even Dogecoin (DOGE-USD). Extensions like these are common. The agency often takes the full period allowed under its rules to review applications and gather public feedback.
ETF analyst James Seyffart explained earlier this year that the SEC “almost always” uses the maximum review window. He added that most crypto ETF proposals now line up for final rulings in October, meaning a cluster of decisions could hit the market at once.
ETF Market Keeps Growing Despite Delays
While the SEC waits, the market for crypto ETFs keeps expanding. In the United States, investors already have access to multiple spot Bitcoin funds and several Ether products. Globally, more than 100 crypto-related ETFs are listed.
BlackRock (BLK) remains the dominant player. Its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) alone manages more than $87 billion in assets, far outpacing smaller rivals. That scale gives it unmatched liquidity and investor confidence, which competitors have struggled to match.
What It Means Going Forward
The SEC’s delays do not mean rejection is certain. It simply means the agency wants more time before making its calls. But for investors, the message is clear. The crypto ETF boom is growing, yet the regulator is still cautious about approving products tied to tokens beyond Bitcoin and Ether.
Investors who want to compare existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs side by side can use TipRanks’ ETF Comparison tool for a closer look at performance, fees, and returns. Click on the images below to explore the tools.
