XRP, Solana, and Litecoin ETFs Face SEC Delays Until October 2025
The race to bring altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to the U.S. market has hit another hurdle. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended its review process for proposed spot ETFs tied to XRP, Solana (SOL), and Litecoin (LTC), leaving investors and asset managers waiting until at least October 2025 for a decision.
This delay impacts applications from well-known asset management firms, including Bitwise, Grayscale, and CoinShares. While the SEC did not reject the filings, it exercised its option to push back deadlines—echoing a familiar strategy previously seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. The decision keeps the possibility of approval alive but prolongs the uncertainty hanging over altcoin investors.
Why the SEC Delayed the Decision
The SEC’s cautious approach is not surprising. Regulators continue to highlight concerns around market surveillance, liquidity, custody, and investor protection. In the past, similar delays preceded eventual approvals for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which now see billions in daily trading volumes.
Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, noted that the October 2025 deadline could be pivotal:
“The SEC is conducting careful reviews, but approvals remain possible if regulatory concerns are addressed by October 2025,” he explained.
This signals that regulators are not dismissing the applications outright. Instead, they are carefully assessing whether altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Litecoin have matured enough in terms of liquidity and safeguards to warrant the same treatment as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Institutional Investors Wait on the Sidelines
While delays frustrate retail investors hoping for quick decisions, institutional managers are using the waiting period to prepare infrastructure for potential ETF inflows. Grayscale, Bitwise, and CoinShares have all invested heavily in custody solutions, compliance frameworks, and trading systems that could handle large-scale ETF adoption.
These preparations show that major financial players still expect eventual approval. History provides precedent: once Bitcoin ETFs were approved, they attracted billions in inflows within months, sparking a wave of institutional participation. Ethereum ETFs followed a similar path, creating optimism that XRP, Solana, and Litecoin could experience comparable momentum if given the green light.
Market Reaction: Short-Term Volatility, Long-Term Hopes
The announcement of another delay created minor volatility across the altcoin market. XRP and Solana saw choppy trading in the hours following the SEC’s filing, with prices reflecting investor frustration at the uncertainty.
Still, analysts believe the long-term outlook remains intact. The crypto market has already witnessed how ETF approval can reshape demand dynamics. For instance, Bitcoin’s ETF approval was a milestone that legitimized the asset class for pension funds, hedge funds, and other large-scale investors who previously stayed away due to regulatory ambiguity.
If XRP, Solana, and Litecoin ETFs win approval, analysts expect similar patterns—greater institutional inflows, more liquidity, and potentially more stable long-term price growth.
October 2025: A Defining Moment
The new deadline set by the SEC now looms as a crucial milestone. Approval could mark the start of a broader wave of altcoin ETFs, giving traditional investors new tools to gain exposure to digital assets without directly holding tokens.
Market observers suggest that a positive ruling in October could pave the way for ETFs based on other altcoins as well. Cardano, Avalanche, and Polygon are among those that might seek ETF approval if XRP, Solana, and Litecoin are successful.
Conversely, if the SEC issues another delay or outright denial, it could dampen short-term enthusiasm and push institutional adoption further into the future.
Why Altcoin ETFs Matter
ETFs are important because they bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto. For many institutions, direct custody of tokens like XRP or Solana raises compliance and security challenges. ETFs provide a regulated, accessible alternative that fits neatly into existing financial systems.
Altcoin ETFs also carry symbolic weight. Approvals would demonstrate that U.S. regulators view these digital assets as legitimate investment products worthy of mainstream exposure. That, in turn, could boost confidence across the broader crypto market.
The Road Ahead
For now, the SEC’s decision to delay keeps investors in limbo. Retail traders may continue speculating on short-term movements, but the real story lies in whether October 2025 brings regulatory clarity.
Until then, market participants will closely track SEC communications and updates from asset managers. Institutional players are unlikely to abandon their efforts, given the scale of potential demand once approvals are secured.
In the meantime, XRP, Solana, and Litecoin will remain closely watched assets, with investors weighing short-term uncertainty against long-term optimism.
Final Thoughts
The SEC’s decision to push XRP, Solana, and Litecoin ETF reviews into October 2025 highlights the slow, cautious approach regulators are taking with altcoins. While this creates short-term volatility, the long-term potential remains significant. Institutional investors are preparing, asset managers are building infrastructure, and historical precedent from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs suggests approvals could unlock billions in inflows.
October 2025 may prove to be a defining moment for altcoin ETFs—and by extension, for the next phase of crypto adoption.
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