Issuers Told to Withdraw 19b-4 Filings; SEC Suggests ETFs Could Be Approved Extremely Quickly

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has instructed crypto ETF issuers to withdraw their 19b-4 filings, a shift that could significantly speed up approvals under the agency’s new rules.

The updated framework allows exchanges to list commodity-based exchange-traded products, including crypto ETFs, without seeking individual review for each product. Previously, issuers had to submit 19b-4 filings to amend exchange rules—a process that could take months. Now, only an S-1 registration statement, detailing the ETF’s structure and strategy, is required.

“Approvals could happen very quickly if the SEC decides to move fast,” said James Seyffart, Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst. “While it’s possible we could see launches in days, timing may vary based on first-to-file precedence among issuers.”

Over the past months, asset managers have proposed spot crypto ETFs covering tokens such as Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE). The removal of the 19b-4 requirement allows exchanges to list eligible ETFs directly under generic commodity rules, leaving the approval process focused solely on the S-1 filing.

The change marks a potential turning point for the U.S. crypto ETF market, though broader uncertainties, including a possible government shutdown, could still affect timelines.