Wall Street Poised for ‘Altcoin ETF Summer’ as SEC Approvals Loom

Wall Street Poised for ‘Altcoin ETF Summer’ as SEC Approvals Loom

Analysts Predict July Launch for Solana, Crypto Index, and Staking ETFs

NEW YORK, June 11 – Financial markets may be entering a new phase of cryptocurrency integration as ETF analysts predict a wave of altcoin-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could win U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval as early as July 2025.

In a research note shared by Bloomberg’s ETF analyst James Seyffart, investors were advised to prepare for “a potential altcoin ETF summer,” with Solana positioned to lead the charge. Seyffart and fellow analyst Eric Balchunas said the SEC could greenlight crypto index ETFs, Solana funds, and products with staking features as soon as next month.

SEC Facing July 2 Decision on Crypto Index Funds

Several asset managers — including Grayscale and Bitwise — have pending ETF applications that aim to track a bundle of cryptocurrencies, giving investors diversified exposure to the broader market. According to Bloomberg’s analysis, there is a 90% chance the SEC will approve such crypto index ETFs by July 2.

In addition to the basket funds, the SEC is also evaluating potential ETFs for Solana (SOL), XRP, and staking-linked products. Though decisions on those could come later in the year, early movement is possible.

“Basket Products Are a No-Brainer,” Says 21Shares President

Speaking at the Proof of Talk conference in Paris, 21Shares President Duncan Moir emphasized the appeal of bundled crypto investment products.

“It’s like you don’t know which one is going to be the winner. So you buy a basket — it’s a no-brainer,” Moir said.

Moir believes basket-style ETFs could become a defining trend in the U.S. as institutional demand for diversified crypto exposure continues to rise.

Solana and Ether Staking Could Lead the Pack

Seyffart also said that Solana ETFs and Ether staking ETFs might be the first new wave of crypto funds to gain traction, especially after Blockworks reported that the SEC had begun reviewing updated registration filings from Solana ETF hopefuls.

“Conversations around the nuances of staking Solana in ETFs are getting underway between the SEC and hopeful Solana ETF issuers,” the report stated.

This reflects growing regulatory openness to staking mechanisms — once a controversial topic — being incorporated into tradable financial instruments.

SEC May Be Opening the Crypto Floodgates

In a related development, ETF Store President Nate Geraci noted on June 11 that the SEC appears ready to “open the floodgates on crypto ETFs,” describing this as “the last step before all major brokerages offer direct spot crypto trading.”

Memecoin ETFs Could Follow by 2026

While memecoins like Dogecoin and Pepe remain speculative, analysts believe that actively managed crypto ETFs, including memecoin-only funds, are likely to debut by 2026.

Balchunas recently commented that, although a memecoin ETF isn’t imminent, it’s “a really good chance” it will exist in the future — just after a flurry of more traditional active crypto ETFs launches.

Outlook: A Summer That Could Reshape the Crypto Investment Landscape

If approvals proceed as predicted, the U.S. market could see its most significant expansion in crypto financial products since the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs. This could open the door to institutional-grade exposure to digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum — reshaping how mainstream investors participate in the crypto economy.