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Asset managers filed a wave of new crypto ETF applications with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week, betting on an eventual approval surge once the federal government shutdown ends and regulators resume reviews.
The most notable filing came from VanEck, which proposed a staked Ethereum ETF tracking Lido’s stETH token—a structure that would allow investors to earn approximately 3.3% annual yield while maintaining liquidity. The filing blitz, which includes leveraged products from 21Shares and yield-generating Bitcoin strategies from ARK Invest, reflects growing institutional confidence that the SEC will greenlight more complex crypto products beyond basic spot ETFs once operations resume.
Beyond VanEck, the week saw an array of crypto ETFs filed by other issuers experimenting with complex structures and new forms of exposure.
21Shares submitted a proposal for a 2x leveraged ETF linked to the Hyperliquid (HYPE) token, giving investors double the daily performance of the asset. The leveraged exposure, however, only applies to single-day returns as a structure designed for high-frequency traders rather than long-term holders.
This one’s so niche… but then you could look up in three or four years and it’s got a few billion, noted Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, describing the current environment as a total land rush.
That “land rush” captures the intensity of competition among issuers who are not waiting for formal approval to innovate. Many are strategically submitting applications now to gain priority when the SEC reopens.
Also joining the filing wave, ARK Invest led by Cathie Wood introduced three new Bitcoin ETFs that merge yield, derivatives, and protection strategies.
The ARK Bitcoin Yield ETF aims to generate returns by writing options and collecting premiums on Bitcoin (BTC) holdings. Meanwhile, the ARK DIET Bitcoin 1 ETF and ARK DIET Bitcoin 2 ETF offer varying levels of downside protection (50% and 10%, respectively) while allowing for upside participation when Bitcoin prices rise.
VanEck also updated its Solana Staking ETF proposal, cutting management fees to 0.3%. This adjustment aligns with growing investor demand for Solana (SOL) staking exposure, reflecting the market’s appetite for diversified yield products within blockchain ecosystems.
Earlier in the week, Volatility Shares submitted filings for new leveraged ETFs offering 3x and 5x exposure to both crypto and traditional equity indices expanding the intersection between digital and conventional markets.
Although the SEC’s review process remains frozen, analysts believe the current flood of crypto ETFs filed represents a calculated bet on timing.
Once the government shutdown ends, spot crypto ETF floodgates open, said Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store. It’s ironic that political gridlock and rising fiscal debt at the very things crypto aims to counter are what’s holding these products back.
Industry researchers agree that the filings illustrate increasing institutional faith in tokenized assets. This is a bet on the future of yield-based crypto exposure, said Tom McLoughlin, head of digital assets research at Bitwise Investments. Issuers aren’t waiting for permission as they’re preparing for inevitability.
Even as Washington remains at a standstill, issuers’ actions point toward an accelerating convergence between decentralized finance (DeFi) and regulated investment vehicles.
The latest crypto ETFs filed show how fund managers are leveraging on-chain staking, synthetic exposure, and derivatives to expand investor access beyond traditional spot Bitcoin or Ethereum products.
VanEck’s proposed staked Ethereum ETF built on the success of Lido’s liquid staking infrastructure could pioneer a new asset class where blockchain yield meets mainstream finance. For institutional investors, these filings suggest that once the SEC reopens, the next wave of approvals could finally bridge DeFi and Wall Street.
