SEC Clears Path for Commodity-Based Trust Shares, Expands Access to Digital Assets

Quick Breakdown: 

• SEC approves streamlined listing standards for crypto-linked Commodity-Based Trust Shares.
• Exchanges gain the ability to list spot digital asset products without prior rule-change filings.
• Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund and Bitcoin ETF index options receive approval.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved new generic listing standards that allow exchanges to list and trade commodity-based trust shares, including those backed by spot digital assets , without undergoing a lengthy rule-change process.

The move is seen as a major regulatory breakthrough, offering exchanges more flexibility to introduce crypto-linked exchange-traded products (ETPs) while providing investors with greater access to regulated digital asset markets.

WOW. The SEC has approved Generic Listing Standards for “Commodity Based Trust Shares” aka includes crypto ETPs. This is the crypto ETP framework we’ve been waiting for. Get ready for a wave of spot crypto ETP launches in coming weeks and months. pic.twitter.com/xDKCuj41mc

— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) September 17, 2025

Streamlined rules for digital asset products

The approved standards apply to national securities exchanges and simplify the process of bringing spot commodity-based products, including crypto-backed funds, to market. Exchanges can now list qualifying products directly under the generic framework, bypassing the need for separate SEC rule filings.

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said the decision ensures U.S. markets remain a hub for innovation, adding that the change “maximizes investor choice and reduces barriers” to access digital asset investment products under regulated structures.

Division of Trading and Markets Director Jamie Selway noted that the rules provide “much-needed regulatory clarity” through a rules-based approach that balances innovation with investor protection.

Greenlight for grayscale and bitcoin options

Alongside the rule changes, the SEC also approved the listing of the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, which holds spot cryptocurrencies tied to the CoinDesk 5 Index. This marks a milestone for Grayscale, as it extends access to digital asset exposure within the framework of traditional markets.

Additionally, the Commission cleared the listing of options tied to the Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index and the Mini-Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index, with multiple expiration types, including third Fridays, non-standard, and quarterly expirations.

The approvals further solidify the integration of digital assets into mainstream financial markets, signalling a broader acceptance of crypto as a legitimate asset class within U.S. capital markets. Meanwhile, trading firm and market maker Wintermute has urged the SEC to clarify that network tokens such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) should not be treated as securities. 

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