According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the US SEC is considering 155 applications for cryptocurrency-based ETFs, and by the end of 2026, their number is expected to exceed 200. This is a record figure, reflecting not only growing interest from investors, but also a radical change in regulators’ attitudes towards digital assets.
Just a few years ago, the idea of mass crypto ETFs seemed a distant prospect. But after the launch of Bitcoin ETFs in the US in early 2024, the situation changed – the emergence of regulated products gave conservative investors a ‘legal entry’ into the market.
Crypto asset ETFs are becoming the norm – transparent, regulated, and accessible. All of this points to 2026 as a potential turning point – the year when crypto ETFs become mainstream and gain widespread acceptance.
From expectations to the launch of the first ETF
In 2023, the market experienced another “winter”, exacerbated by the collapse of the FTX exchange and, earlier, the TerraUST stablecoin. Optimism began to return in the autumn when the US SEC began seriously considering applications to launch Bitcoin-based ETFs.
The regulator discussed issues of investor protection and the likely volatility. The public and analysts followed every step: the media predicted both a positive impact on the market and potential risks associated with insufficient liquidity and manipulation. Large investment funds were actively preparing the infrastructure for the future product, while investors waited for the moment when cryptocurrencies would gain recognition within the traditional market
The first Bitcoin ETF was launched in January 2024.
For the crypto market, this was a wake-up call. The period of minimal activity was replaced by growing interest in BTC and other assets. Large investors began to actively consider participating in the new financial instrument, which led to an increase in trading volumes and liquidity. The ETF became more than just a trading product – it symbolised legalisation at the level of financial institutions and strengthened confidence in the market even before the SEC revised its policy on assets in 2025.
It should be noted that Bitcoin ETFs already existed in a number of countries, but it was their launch in the US that set an important precedent, signalling “legalisation” on the world’s largest trading platform.
The first ETFs proved the importance of institutional trust for the crypto market. They paved the way for new products, a range of investments, and the preparation of infrastructure for mass adoption. These steps laid the foundation for 2026 to become the year of the mass launch of cryptocurrency ETFs – a paradigm shift.
Growth of cryptocurrency ETFs
After spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in the United States, there was a surge of interest in this new type of asset. Over the 2 years following the ETF launch, growth remained steady.
- A year later, the total trading volume of exchange-traded funds reached $660 billion. And the twelve largest issuers managed more 1.13m BTC – 5.4% of the total supply.
- In July 2024, against the backdrop of the success of Bitcoin ETF, Ethereum-based products appeared. Then, discussions about new potential funds began.
- By the end of 2025, the IBIT product had shown tremendous growth in assets under management since its launch, reaching nearly $100 billion. In total, the assets of spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs in the United States exceeded $170 billion.
With the launch of a new type of ETF, both institutional and private investors gained the opportunity to indirectly invest in cryptocurrencies, receiving all the income from owning them but excluding the risks of a volatile market. After the launch, many companies, US pension funds and institutions started talking about buying BTC (in ETF format).
Scaling and mass launch in 2026
The market is entering a phase where the boundaries between digital and traditional finance are blurring. This is evidenced by the increasing amount of news from the end of 2025.
- In September 2025, ETF trading was launched, the first in the US to offer spot exposure to XRP and Dogecoin ($65 million on the first day of trading).
- On 6 Oct, Grayscale introduced new investment products with staking functionality: Ethereum Trust (ETHE), Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH) and Solana Trust (GSOL).
- At the end of October, ETFs for three more altcoins debuted: Litecoin, Hedera, and Solana ($68 million on the first day of trading).
- The potential of future SOL-based ETFs was estimated at $1.5 billion in investments in the first year after launch – about seven times less than Ethereum ETFs.
Another symbol of this convergence was the launch of ETF trading directly in Telegram: on 27 October 2025, TON Wallet integrated from Kraken and Backed, allowing users to invest in familiar exchange assets without leaving the messenger. This event is a landmark example of how digital instruments are becoming as accessible and hybrid as possible.
At this point in the story, we come to the news mentioned at the beginning: in 2026, the number of applications under consideration by the SEC will exceed 200 potential ETFs. This level indicates not only the interest of issuers, but also the willingness of regulators to develop a systematic approach to crypto – a transition from experimentation to scaling.
But why is 2026 a turning point?
- Firstly, the regulatory framework has matured – the SEC and major financial institutions have gained experience in working with the first funds, which allows for faster approval of new applications.
- Secondly, attitudes towards cryptocurrencies have changed with the arrival of Trump and the first pro-cryptocurrency Congress in the United States. This has influenced recognition from both institutional investors and the conservative community.
- Thirdly, the infrastructure for mass investment has emerged: brokers, custodial services and payment platforms have adapted to work with tokenised assets.
What’s more, the emergence of universal solutions such as TON Wallet and Trustee Plus shows that security and custodial storage infrastructure has caught up with the requirements of institutional investors. They don’t just preserve the technology and its advantages, but allow it to be used in a convenient and familiar format.
Potential effects on the market
The expansion of the cryptocurrency ETF range and its integration with familiar services opens up new opportunities: increased liquidity, greater transparency and lower barriers create conditions for capital inflows into the market. At the same time, cryptocurrencies themselves are beginning to be perceived not as a speculative asset, but as part of the economy, accelerating the mass adoption of Bitcoin in its original form.
These factors — from technological platforms to the maturity of regulators – form the basis for the mass launch of cryptocurrency ETFs in 2026. These are no longer isolated initiatives, but a transition to a new financial reality, where crypto assets cease to be an “alternative” and become part of the mainstream investment landscape.
Ivan Ordenko serves as the Head of Partnerships & Marketing at Trustee Plus, bringing over three years of experience in accelerating business growth, forging strategic B2B partnerships, and scaling marketing initiatives in fast-paced fintech environments. He focuses on developing tailored solutions for teams that require fast mass payouts, transparent payment flows, and seamless integration with crypto-card services.
