CoinBureau’s Guy says the SEC just changed crypto forever by fast-tracking altcoin ETFs. With approvals now easier, a real alt season could be around the corner.
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The shift: On September 17, the SEC approved generic listing standards that let major exchanges list spot crypto ETFs without case-by-case approval. This means dozens of altcoins could soon get ETFs.
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First movers: Grayscale’s new “Crypto 5 ETF” (BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, ADA) is live. XRP and Dogecoin ETFs launched too, with XRP posting the strongest first-day inflows of any ETF in 2025.
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Who qualifies: At least 12 altcoins now meet SEC criteria via futures listings, including LTC, BCH, DOGE, DOT, SHIB, AVAX, LINK, XLM, SOL, HBAR, ADA, and XRP. Dozens more are pending.
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October catalyst: Many ETF applications have October decision deadlines, with December 1 as the latest under the new 75-day window. This makes October a likely turning point for altcoins.
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Impact: ETH ETFs disappointed in 2024, showing approvals don’t guarantee inflows. But XRP and DOGE’s strong launches suggest the next wave could attract major capital.
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Regulation opening up: SEC Chair Atkins is floating an “innovation exemption” to give crypto projects breathing room, while the CFTC is working on pathways for spot contracts and offshore exchanges. The Clarity Act could finally split oversight between SEC and CFTC.
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The big picture: ETFs mean altcoins are about to be accessible to traditional investors for the first time at scale. Combined with regulatory clarity, this could unleash a historic rotation out of BTC and into alts.
Outlook: October may be the month altcoins get their spotlight. If approvals stick and inflows come, this could mark the start of a true alt season.
