The year 2024 marked a historic milestone for the cryptocurrency ecosystem. It witnessed the approval of the first Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling a seismic shift in institutional adoption. If January’s approval rate is anything to go by, coupled with the current US political stance on digital assets, Crypto ETFs are poised for a transformative 2025.
Since spot crypto ETFs were approved, the investment vehicles have garnered more than 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply, a figure surpassing even the estimated 1.1 million BTC associated with Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Since January, the story of the crypto ETFs has been one of continued market maturation. The launch of Bitcoin ETFs in January, followed by Ethereum ETFs in July, has set the stage for a more diversified crypto ETF landscape in 2025.
Analysts predict a wave of new ETF offerings for top crypto protocols, including Solana, XRP, Litecoin (LTC), Hedera (HBAR), and others.
The changing regulatory environment also plays a critical role. With the departure of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, a figure known for his “unfair” stance on crypto assets, and the nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins by President-elect Donald Trump, the outlook for crypto ETFs in 2025 appears significantly brighter.
A lighter regulatory approach could pave the way for broader approval of ETFs linked to various cryptocurrencies, further integrating digital assets into mainstream financial markets.
Spotlight on Solana ETFs
Solana, a high-performance blockchain with a robust ecosystem spanning decentralized finance, NFTs, and gaming, is a prime candidate for ETF inclusion. In December, the SEC rejected applications for spot Solana ETFs from several issuers, citing regulatory hurdles.
🚨SCOOP: I’ve confirmed that the @SECGov has notified at least two of the five prospective issuers that it will reject their 19b4 filings for the $SOL spot ETFs.
The consensus here, I’m told, is that the SEC won’t entertain any new #crypto ETFs under the current administration.
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) December 6, 2024
Despite this, optimism remains high for 2025, especially following Trump’s electoral win and the anticipated regulatory shift under Paul Atkins.
Major asset management firms like VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital have filed for Solana ETFs, with applications gaining traction post-election.
“It appears the SEC is now engaging with issuers on this product, which is obviously a positive sign,” noted Nate Geraci.
Industry insiders believe Solana’s success, alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, will set a precedent for its approval by the end of 2025. However, analysts from JPMorgan caution that pending lawsuits regarding unregistered securities could delay Solana’s ETF timeline.
XRP: Legal clarity could build ETF approval potential
Ripple’s XRP has long been at the center of regulatory battles, with the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs serving as a touchstone for broader crypto regulation. Despite this, analysts believe XRP ETFs are on the horizon, contingent on the resolution of its legal disputes.
WisdomTree, Bitwise, and Canary Capital have already filed for XRP ETFs, signaling growing institutional interest in the asset.
Bloomberg’s James Seyffart suggests that while Litecoin and Hedera ETFs might gain approval sooner, XRP’s potential ETF launch will attract significant investor attention. With its ongoing legal challenges nearing a curtain draw, XRP is poised to reenter the spotlight, bolstered by ETF filings and growing market demand.
Dogecoin and Hedera ETFs: Speculation meets reality
Dogecoin’s journey to ETF consideration, much like its whole crypto market journey, has been full of humor and speculation. The memecoin has won the hearts of netizens, and as funny as this sounds, inspired the naming of an Elon Musk-led unofficial US government office named the Department of Government Efficiency, acronymed as the coin itself, D.O.G.E.
I still can’t believe @DOGE is real 🤣🤣
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2024
Eric Balchunas had humorously hinted at the possibility of a Dogecoin ETF, but industry observers note that the concentrated holdings of DOGE present challenges for fair market assessments. Nevertheless, the more permissive regulatory stance anticipated in 2025 may open doors for DOGE-focused products.
Hedera, by contrast, stands on firmer ground. Its native token, HBAR, has not been classified as a security, giving it a regulatory edge. That said, only Canary Capital has made an application for a Hedera ETF. Bloomberg analysts suggest Hedera is among the most likely candidates to secure ETF approval among the likes of XRP, DOGE and ADA.
Cardano ETFs: A rising contender
Cardano (ADA) saw a surge in interest following its inclusion in Bitwise’s 10 Crypto Index Fund ETF application. The announcement triggered a seven-month high in ADA trading volume, alongside increased whale activity.
ETF expert Geraci also predicts that Cardano could join the US spot ETF market as soon as Solana and XRP get approved, further cementing its position as a top-tier cryptocurrency.
Crypto Capital Venture founder Dan Gambardello believes Cardano’s ecosystem developments and potential ETF approval could propel its price significantly. While regulatory clarity remains a prerequisite, Cardano’s growing institutional appeal positions it as a strong contender for ETF approval in 2025.
2025 is the year for crypto ETFs
As the crypto industry enters 2025, the rise of ETFs signals a new era of growth and maturity. Bitcoin is slowly solidifying its role as a global reserve asset, which is forcing watchdogs to clear the air on regulatory frameworks. It’s only a matter of time before the stage is set for widespread adoption.
The exponential growth of DeFi, stablecoins, and crypto ETFs highlights the transformative potential of digital assets in global finance. Supported by a more crypto-friendly administration, the industry is poised to render boundaries obsolete, which is why we believe 2025 could be the year for Crypto ETFs.
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