Dogecoin ETF set for launch next week as REX shares skip delays with 40 act filing

The long-awaited Dogecoin ETF is on the verge of approval, with issuer REX Shares signaling that trading could begin as early as next week. Filed under the ticker $DOJE in partnership with Osprey Funds, the Dogecoin ETF would give investors regulated exposure to the world’s most popular memecoin—potentially making it the first of its kind in the booming digital asset ETF market.

Dogecoin ETF strategy: Using the 40 act to bypass delays

The filing stands out because REX Shares is leveraging the Investment Company Act of 1940 (40 Act), a regulatory framework rarely used for crypto ETFs.

Unlike spot Bitcoin or Ethereum ETFs that undergo the drawn-out Form S-1 and 19b-4 process, the 40 Act route lets REX sidestep lengthy SEC debates and fast-track its Dogecoin ETF to market.

Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart explained the move:

“These ETFs are structured as C-Corps and don’t go through the 19b-4 process, which is usually required for crypto funds that track spot prices. That gives REX a faster lane, as we saw with their Solana staking ETFs earlier this year.”

Industry analysts are already buzzing. Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg, suggested that approval is close:

“Looks like REX is going to launch a Dogecoin ETF via the 40 Act a la $SSK… Doge looks like the first one to go out.”

Balchunas also noted that REX’s filing includes references to other memecoin-themed ETFs tied to XRP, TRUMP, and BONK, signaling that this might just be the beginning of a broader memecoin ETF lineup.

Dogecoin ETF: High risk, high reward

While the Dogecoin ETF could excite both retail traders and institutional investors, REX itself has warned about the risks.

In its prospectus, the company wrote that Dogecoin is “subject to unique and substantial risks,” citing extreme volatility, unpredictable price swings, and market uncertainty.

Still, by launching first, REX is making a bold bet that investor demand for memecoins will spill over into the ETF market.

While REX surges ahead, other potential Dogecoin ETF issuers remain stalled. 21Shares, Bitwise, and Grayscale have all submitted filings for DOGE ETFs this year, but the SEC has yet to issue approvals.

Current deadlines stand at October 18 for Bitwise and Grayscale, and January 9 for 21Shares. In contrast, REX’s regulatory shortcut could let it scoop the market before these rivals get the green light.

Market betting big on Dogecoin ETF

Speculation is heating up. On Polymarket, the odds of a spot Dogecoin ETF approval have surged to 80%, reflecting increased confidence among traders that a DOGE fund will finally make it to market.

If REX’s $DOJE launches next week as expected, it would mark the first official Dogecoin ETF, potentially paving the way for a new wave of crypto investment products.

What a Dogecoin ETF could mean for investors

A live Dogecoin ETF would be a turning point for the memecoin, legitimizing it in the eyes of more traditional investors.

By packaging DOGE into a regulated fund structure, REX makes it easier for institutional players and retail investors alike to gain exposure without having to directly buy or store Dogecoin.

As Seyffart put it:

“A Dogecoin ETF under the 40 Act is about accessibility. It gives everyday investors the ability to tap into DOGE’s upside without needing to mess with wallets or exchanges.”

If REX’s gamble pays off, the Dogecoin ETF won’t just be a first for DOGE—it could open the door for an entire category of memecoin ETFs.

Analysts believe that if regulators permit this launch, other issuers will quickly follow with products tied to meme assets, altcoins, and speculative niches.

For now, all eyes are on REX-Osprey’s $DOGE ETF. If it hits the market next week, it will mark the official dawn of the Dogecoin ETF era, cementing Dogecoin’s place not just as a memecoin, but as a mainstream investment vehicle.