Bitwise: SEC rules to spark 100+ crypto ETP launches in 2026
More than 100 cryptocurrency exchange-traded products could debut in 2026 following recent U.S. regulatory guidance that shortens review timelines for new funds, according to Bitwise researcher Ryan Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said in a Tuesday interview on the Bankless podcast that the pace of product launches is set to accelerate. He projected that in 2026 the market could see over 100 new crypto-linked ETPs spanning spot crypto, index strategies, equities, smart beta, momentum, and other categories.
His outlook follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s issuance of generic listing standards in October, which removed the requirement for individual 19(b) approvals for qualifying crypto ETPs.
Additional crypto ETFs could catalyze an altcoin cycle
Rasmussen described the new framework as a practical guide for issuers, indicating that if an asset meets specified criteria, an ETP can be listed without the prior 240-day waiting period.
Many market participants view the introduction of ETPs tracking a broader range of digital assets as supportive for prices beyond the largest cryptocurrencies.
Bitwise’s Matt Hougan (bottom left) and Ryan Rasmussen (bottom right) were interviewed on the Bankless podcast. Source: Bankless
In August, Bitfinex analysts said altcoins were unlikely to experience a broad, outsized rally until ETFs offering exposure beyond the largest cryptocurrencies receive approval.
Rasmussen noted that nearly 15 years have passed since Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss filed for the first Bitcoin ETF, yet only a limited number of crypto ETPs are available today.
He added that the expanded product set will give investors a wider range of allocation options, likening the forthcoming breadth of offerings to a menu as extensive as the Cheesecake Factory’s.
The number of crypto ETPs currently on the market has recently surpassed 300, according to Fineqia International.
Analysts highlight the positive impact of the SEC’s new standards
Industry analysts expect the generic listing standards to facilitate a wave of additional crypto ETP listings in the near term.
On Sept. 17, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart said the policy change was a constructive step toward a “wave of spot crypto ETP launches.”
Seoyoung Kim, an associate professor of finance at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, said the effect may be limited for already “legitimized” categories such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), but could materially benefit other digital asset products. Kim said that for futures or spot ETFs tied to assets that have not been individually reviewed, the rule changes could shorten approval timelines from years to months, while noting that any proposed ETF must still meet existing formation, listing, and trading standards.
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