Crypto markets quietly cooking a storm while Washington naps through a government shutdown.
Bitcoin just smashed a new ATH at $125K , sending the entire crypto market cap growing to $4.4 trillion.
Yet, despite this frenzy, the promised altcoin ETF tsunami stayed frustratingly dry, thanks to Uncle Sam hitting the pause button.
A big regulatory wait
The US government shutdown turned out to be the ultimate party pooper, freezing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ability to greenlight those shiny new altcoin ETFs.
According to the SEC’s August “Operations Plan Under a Lapse in Appropriations,” they halted all reviews and approvals on new financial products, including over 100 crypto-related filings stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
That meant no expedited registration statements, no approvals, no sparkle, just a big regulatory wait.
Nate Geraci, NovaDius Wealth’s chief, called it bluntly, “ETF Cryptober” is stuck in the slow lane until the shutdown is over.
Looks like a prolonged government shutdown would definitely impact the launch of new spot crypto ETFs…
ETF Cryptober might be on hold for a bit.
From SEC's "Operations Plan Under a Lapse in Appropriations & Government Shutdown"… pic.twitter.com/Z6gY1bJbUt
— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) October 1, 2025
The irony? Right before the shutdown, the SEC actually simplified the launch process by adopting a generic listing standard for crypto exchange-traded products.
No more jumping through hoops with token-specific filings. Yet, none of that mattered with the government on ice.
No resolution before October 15?
Optimists whispered that Solana spot ETFs might snag approval between October 6 and 10, with some insiders boasting high conviction about a green light for SOL ETFs in early October.
Bloomberg ETF ace Eric Balchunas even declared altcoin ETF approval odds were now at 100%.
But with the shutdown’s chokehold still strong, and odds pointing to no resolution before October 15, the approvals looked more like a mid-October to late-October event.
So mark your calendars, Solana ETFs, and with them, other altcoin ETFs, should see the light of day around October 16 to 20.
The generic standards mean regulators can hit the ground running once the government engine sputters back to life.
Solana leads the pack, but the ripple effect could usher in a flood of altcoin ETFs in the near future.
Ethereum ETF with staking
On the innovation front, Grayscale is tearing up the rulebook. They announced that their Ethereum Mini Trust ETF and Ethereum Trust ETF became the first US-listed spot crypto exchange-traded products to enable staking.
Grayscale’s Solana Trust is also staking-enabled, positioning itself perfectly to turn into one of the first Solana spot ETFs giving investors yield from staking once regulatory thumbs up arrives.
This sweet combo, staking plus potential altcoin ETF approval, could make the upcoming launch irresistibly juicy, especially if US treasury yields decide to chill.
The takeaway? October’s crypto scene is staging a comeback worthy of a prime-time show.
The regulatory floodgates are cracking open, and if timing holds, a stronger Uptober will roll out with altcoin ETFs finally strutting onto the stage. Can’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why haven’t altcoin ETFs launched yet?
The US government shutdown froze SEC operations, halting approvals and reviews for new crypto ETFs, delaying launches until mid-October.
Which altcoins are likely to get ETFs first?
Solana (SOL) is leading the pack, with Ethereum ETFs also expected to launch soon, particularly those offering staking benefits.
How does staking work in these new ETFs?
Staking-enabled ETFs allow investors to earn yield directly from their crypto holdings within the fund, increasing potential returns beyond price appreciation.
When can we expect ETF approvals to resume?
If the government shutdown ends by mid-October, altcoin ETF approvals could begin rolling out between October 16–20, with regulatory floodgates opening quickly afterward.
Cryptocurrency and Web3 expert, founder of Kriptoworld
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With years of experience covering the blockchain space, András delivers insightful reporting on DeFi, tokenization, altcoins, and crypto regulations shaping the digital economy.
