Crypto ETFs Anticipated to Surge in 2026 Amid SEC Changes

According to Cointelegraph, the crypto market is poised for a significant influx of exchange-traded products (ETPs) by 2026, with over 100 expected to launch. However, Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart predicts that many of these will face closures due to insufficient demand. Seyffart concurs with Bitwise's forecast of a surge in crypto ETFs but anticipates a wave of liquidations by the end of 2027. Currently, more than 126 ETP applications are pending approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as issuers continue to introduce a wide array of products to the market. Last year witnessed the closure of 622 ETFs globally, including over 189 in the United States, as reported by The Daily Upside. Morningstar highlighted that in 2023, 244 ETFs in the U.S. ceased operations, with an average lifespan of 5.4 years. The primary reason for these closures was the inability to attract sufficient investor inflows, leading to low assets under management. Notably, several crypto ETPs have already been liquidated this year, including the ARK 21Shares Active Bitcoin Ethereum Strategy ETF and the ARK 21Shares Active On‑Chain Bitcoin Strategy ETF. Industry experts anticipate a substantial increase in the approval of crypto ETPs in 2026, driven by the SEC's new generic listing standards. These standards eliminate the need for individual assessments of each application, potentially accelerating the approval process. Even before these standards were implemented in September, asset managers had begun filing for ETFs linked to more speculative tokens, such as Melania Trump’s memecoin. This year has seen the successful launch of ETFs tracking Litecoin, Solana, and XRP, expanding the market beyond the Bitcoin and Ether ETFs introduced in 2024. Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. have attracted $57.6 billion in inflows since their launch in January 2024, while spot Ether ETFs have garnered $12.6 billion since July 2024, according to Farside Investors data. Additionally, spot Solana ETFs from firms like Bitwise, VanEck, Fidelity, 21Shares, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale have accumulated $725 million since late October. The evolving regulatory landscape and growing interest in diverse crypto assets suggest a dynamic future for crypto ETPs.