The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering a major shift in how crypto ETFs could be brought to market, according to new reporting and regulatory sources. A simplified process might soon allow token-based ETFs to bypass the traditional bureaucratic hurdles and reach exchanges in just 75 days.
This potential reform, still in early stages, could represent a turning point for digital asset adoption in the U.S. financial system.
SEC Plans to Streamline ETF Listings
According to a recent scoop by Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, the SEC is working with exchanges to develop generic listing standards for crypto ETFs. If implemented, this would allow issuers to skip the burdensome 19b-4 process—currently required for each new ETF—by simply filing an S-1 registration statement, waiting the mandatory 75-day period, and then listing the product.
The aim? Reduce the regulatory back-and-forth and paperwork that has historically slowed down the launch of crypto-backed exchange-traded products.
New Criteria Likely Include Market Cap and Liquidity
While specific standards are yet to be defined, insiders suggest that metrics such as market capitalization, trading volume, and liquidity thresholds could play a central role. Tokens meeting these benchmarks would qualify for automatic listing once the S-1 is cleared.
Although the SEC has not publicly confirmed the proposal, its willingness to explore a fast-track process signals growing recognition of crypto ETFs as a legitimate financial product category—one that institutional investors are eager to access.
Why This Matters for the Crypto Industry
The crypto industry has long argued that ETFs are crucial to mainstream adoption. They offer traditional investors exposure to digital assets without the hassle of wallets or private keys, all within familiar brokerage environments.
Removing the 19b-4 requirement could dramatically speed up the introduction of multiple crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, and potentially open the door for layer-1 tokens, stablecoins, and DeFi assets to enter regulated markets.
A spokesperson for the SEC declined to comment officially on the development, as the proposal remains speculative at this stage.
