Crypto ETP Boom Set To Go Into Overdrive In 2026, Bitwise Says
More than 100 new crypto exchange-traded products could hit the market in 2026 after a recent rule change by the US securities regulator, a researcher at Bitwise said. According to Ryan Rasmussen, that drop in red tape will let firms file many more ETPs without the long, individual approval process that slowed launches in the past.
Regulatory Shift Lowers Bar
The SEC issued generic listing standards in October that remove the need for separate 19(b) approvals for qualifying crypto ETPs. That step cuts out a process some issuers had to wait through — a delay that could stretch to a 240-day clock under earlier practice.
Reports have disclosed that the number of crypto ETPs already sits above 300, based on data from Fineqia International, which shows the market is no longer limited to just a few funds.
Institutional Appetite
Market watchers say new listings make it easier for issuers. But easier access is not the same thing as strong buying. Bitfinex analysts warned in August that altcoins are unlikely to enjoy a major rally until ETFs that track assets beyond the largest coins are available and attract real money. Liquidity, investor interest, and clear use cases still matter a lot. An ETF wrapper does not fix those basic needs by itself.
Rasmussen said issuers can now plan a variety of products — spot crypto, index funds, equity-linked ETPs, smart beta strategies and momentum plays.
He compared the change to moving from a tiny menu to a much larger one, saying investors will have more choices about where to put money. He also noted it has been about 15 years since the Winklevoss twins first filed for a Bitcoin ETF, and yet only a handful of crypto ETPs are widely held today.
Many New Products, Few Big WinnersExpect a wave of filings. But expect concentration too. In the wider ETF market, most assets gather in a few large funds while many other listings see thin trading.
That pattern is likely to repeat in crypto: dozens of niche products may be launched, while a smaller group gathers most assets under management. Issuers get to plant flags quickly. Investors will sort the winners from the rest over time.
Market Reaction Hinges On DemandOn Sept. 17, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart said the rule change could trigger a “wave of spot crypto ETP launches.”
He added that clearer rules could lead to several similar products being rolled out around the same time, raising competition among issuers while making it harder for weaker funds to gain traction.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
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