The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s decisions in October could be a critical turning point for the crypto market. As the deadlines for 16 different crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications approach throughout the month, investors are debating whether a new altcoin rally is imminent.
Litecoin, Solana, XRP: ETF applications have been filed for numerous altcoins.
The first application to stand out on the calendar is decentralized exchange Canary's Litecoin ETF. The deadline for a final decision is October 2nd. Grayscale's request to convert its Solana and Litecoin trusts into an ETF will then be considered on October 10th. Later in the month, WisdomTree's XRP ETF application will be on the table. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart notes that the SEC could announce its decisions before the deadlines. This situation is adding uncertainty and excitement to the markets. Investors are particularly keen on popular altcoins like Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. Bitfinex analysts predict that the approvals could usher in a new altcoin season by offering safe and regulated investment opportunities. ETF expert Nate Geraci says October is "a huge period for the crypto ETF market." However, the absence of applications from major players like Fidelity and BlackRock suggests that this wave could be a significant, though not yet definitive, development.
Signs of a softening of the SEC's approach are also notable. With the new regulation announced on September 17, listing standards for commodity-based trust funds were updated. This step could shorten the spot crypto ETF approval process. Bloomberg's Seyffart describes this move as "the precursor to a wave of launches," while his colleague Eric Balchunas states that more than 20 crypto assets with futures on Coinbase could be included in the spot ETF process. Indeed, Hashdex's recent expansion of its portfolio to include XRP, Solana, and Stellar demonstrated the market's rapid adaptation. Major exchanges such as Nasdaq, NYSE Arca, and CBOE BZX have also updated their applications to adapt their existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs to the new standards.
However, criticism is not without its drawbacks. SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw argues that the new regulations could bypass some key investor protections. Crenshaw stated that these products are "new and untested" and could increase risks for small investors.
However, optimism prevails among market participants. Investors believe October could be a "watershed month" for crypto ETFs. Approvals could facilitate access to the spot market, generating a new influx of capital into altcoins. However, rejected applications or delayed decisions carry the potential to disappoint expectations.
Consequently, October appears poised to be a test case for crypto ETFs. A succession of approvals could see significant market momentum; But cautious experts caution that this alone doesn't guarantee a sustained altcoin rally. All eyes are now on the SEC's decisions.
