The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a landmark update to its rules governing cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), significantly reducing the approval timeline for digital asset listings. Previously, exchanges could wait up to 240 days for approval, but under the new framework, the process may take as little as 75 days.
This reform is expected to open the door for a wider range of crypto ETFs, particularly those tracking assets such as Solana, XRP, and other emerging tokens. The SEC emphasized that the streamlined process maintains rigorous investor protections while fostering innovation and competition in the U.S. financial markets.
Officials from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) also expressed support for the initiative, noting the growing need for consistent oversight of cryptocurrency derivatives and spot trading. This coordinated approach between the SEC and CFTC aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty, encourage institutional participation, and increase transparency across crypto markets.
Market analysts predict that these changes could lead to a surge in new ETF launches by 2026, providing retail and institutional investors with safer, regulated channels to gain exposure to digital assets. “The updated rules reflect the SEC’s acknowledgment that the digital asset market is maturing and requires faster, more efficient pathways for legitimate investment products,” said a senior analyst at a leading investment firm.
