The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warming up to the idea of expanding the crypto ETF landscape beyond Bitcoin, with 72 crypto-related ETF proposals now awaiting review.
While this signals growing interest in altcoin-based investment products, Bitcoin remains the undisputed heavyweight—claiming roughly 90% of global crypto ETF assets. Despite the surge in filings, analysts caution that no new altcoin ETF is likely to match the scale or impact of Bitcoin’s. Since their debut, Bitcoin ETFs have reshaped the institutional crypto space, pulling in nearly $95 billion in net assets in the U.S. alone—even amid periods of outflows. The launch of BlackRock’s Bitcoin fund was even dubbed the most successful ETF debut in history.
Asset managers have responded with a wave of applications, seeking approval for a variety of new products—from ETFs based on Ethereum, Solana, and XRP to more niche proposals involving meme coins and leverage-based instruments. According to ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, the range is broad and unusual: “Everything from XRP and Litecoin to Penguins and 2x MELANIA.”
However, even with this burst of creativity, Bitcoin’s dominance is unlikely to be challenged anytime soon. Only 23 of the current filings involve altcoins beyond the usual names, and most are variations on existing ETF structures rather than entirely new plays. Ethereum’s ETF options have attracted meaningful liquidity, demonstrating that altcoin-focused products can generate interest. But the scale and brand power of Bitcoin continue to overshadow these attempts. Analysts estimate that even if all the pending altcoin ETFs launched successfully, they might only capture 5–10% of Bitcoin’s current ETF market share.
Still, altcoin ETFs aren’t without merit. They can serve as catalysts for renewed interest in their underlying assets and help introduce new capital to the market. While Bitcoin holds the crown, products centered on Solana or XRP could still ignite smaller bullish waves—just not enough to shake Bitcoin’s stronghold as the institutional favorite.
