- The SEC acknowledged filings for Grayscale’s Solana and Litecoin ETFs and opened them for public feedback.
- This marks a potential shift in crypto regulation, with analysts expecting Litecoin to be next for approval.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provided official approval to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for 19b-4 filings that enable Grayscale to list and trade their Solana and Litecoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The regulatory body launched a public feedback period for proposals on February 6 and documented the proposals through publication within the Federal Register, which started a 21-day designated review time.
Solana ETF has advanced significantly toward its operational goal because the SEC has acknowledged its application for the first time as a digital asset fund.
SEC Acknowledges First-Ever Solana ETF Filing
The SEC approved Solana’s filing following previous instructions for issuers to discard their documents under Gary Gensler’s leadership. According to Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart, Times of Change are approaching, who signaled that this regulatory evolution may soon reshape the regulatory framework. The SEC allowed such development to benefit exchanges facing legal action about classifying Solana as a security.
In an interview, Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett described the SEC move as “very noteworthy.” The SEC’s approval of Solana warrants analysis through Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, who called it ‘new territory’ and attributed this development to current SEC leadership changes.
A new development occurred after Cboe Chicago Board Options Exchange submitted refiled applications for Solana ETFs on behalf of Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital. The analysts predict a final determination regarding Solana ETF applications will be made on October 11.
Litecoin ETF Moves Closer to Potential Approval
In addition to the Solana ETF, the SEC authorized the NYSE to file for the Grayscale Litecoin Trust. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recognition of the Litecoin ETF constitutes its second validation, which indicates approaching approval for a spot Litecoin ETF. Seyfarth had strong indications that Litecoin would receive approval as the next cryptocurrency after Bitcoin.
Nasdaq filed an application with the SEC on the same day to permit in-kind transactions on the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). Nate Geraci from The ETF Store declared that while this step advanced the situation, it should have arrived much earlier, as existing cash-based creation and redemption protocols need modernization.
The SEC’s approval activities regarding these ETF applications signify positive progress for digital asset investment products. However, regulatory approval remains uncertain, and there is uncertainty regarding the speed at which the Trump-led SEC will approve altcoin ETFs.
The U.S. financial products industry linked to cryptocurrency seems bound for more openness because regulatory developments stem from changing leadership and market forces.
