In a move that could redefine the cryptocurrency investment landscape
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is signaling a potential wave of altcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals in the second quarter of 2025. The regulator’s recent statement, in which it clarified that proof-of-work (PoW)-based crypto assets do not qualify as securities under U.S. law, has set a significant precedent, paving the way for new financial products to enter the market.
The SEC’s decision to classify PoW assets like Bitcoin as commodities removes a crucial regulatory hurdle for the approval of altcoin ETFs. This regulatory clarity could prompt asset managers to offer ETFs for coins like LTC, XMR, KAS, which fall under the PoW category.
“It is the [SEC’s] view that mining activities do not involve the offering and sale of securities [and] that participants in such activities do not need to register transactions with the Commission under the Securities Act or fall within one of the Act’s exemptions from registration,” the SEC statement said.
In addition to PoW assets
The SEC has also signaled a more open stance toward other altcoins. The recent declaration that meme cryptocurrencies are not securities, for example, paves the way for the possible approval of an ETF for Dogecoin, the largest meme coin on the market.
The approval of altcoin ETFs could have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market, attracting institutional investors and boosting the adoption of crypto assets. This regulatory change could represent a milestone in the history of cryptocurrencies, opening up new investment opportunities and solidifying the position of crypto assets in the global financial market.
Solana ETF: Volatility Shares launches first futures fund in the US
Volatility Shares has taken a significant step into the US cryptocurrency market, casting the first Solana futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs). According to the company, starting today, March 20, investors will have access to two new options: the Volatility Shares Solana ETF (SOLZ) and the Volatility Shares 2X Solana ETF (SOLT).
SOLZ offers direct exposure to Solana futures contracts and, according to Volatility’s announcement, will have a management fee of 0.95% until June 2026, increasing to 1.15% thereafter. With a management fee of 1.85%, SOLT aims to deliver daily investment results that will be equivalent to twice the return on Solana’s price, thus offering leverage to the fund’s investors.