The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked crypto ETF issuers to withdraw their 19b-4 filings, a move that could accelerate approval timelines under recently updated rules.
The SEC’s new generic listing standards allow exchanges to list commodity-based ETPs—including crypto ETFs—without separate review for each product, eliminating a major regulatory hurdle. Previously, issuers had to submit 19b-4 filings, requesting exchanges to amend listing rules before launching an ETF. Now, only the S-1 registration statement is needed, detailing the ETF’s structure and strategy.
“Approvals could happen extremely fast if the SEC chooses to move,” said James Seyffart, ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. “It could take days, though timing may depend on first-to-file priority among issuers.”
Asset managers have filed proposals covering coins like Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE). With the 19b-4 step removed, exchanges can list eligible crypto ETFs under generic commodity rules without requesting rule changes, placing the approval focus solely on the S-1.
The change reflects the SEC’s evolving approach to crypto markets and may pave the way for a new wave of digital asset funds, though uncertainties—including potential government disruptions—remain.
