- SEC postpones CoinShares’ XRP and Litecoin ETF rulings to August 24, citing the need for more public input and review.
- Similar delays affect ETF filings by Grayscale, Bitwise, and 21Shares, showing a broader regulatory slowdown.
- Analysts project ETF approvals may come in Q4 2025, with Litecoin seen having a slightly higher approval chance than XRP.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has extended its pattern of delays regarding crypto ETF applications. This time, the regulatory body postponed its decision on CoinShares’ XRP and Litecoin ETF filings.
The rulings were originally expected by May 26 but have now been pushed to August 24. The Commission instead called for public input, requesting further comments and rebuttals on both proposals. This move continues a series of similar delays for other crypto ETF applications.
CoinShares Faces Same Setbacks as Grayscale and Bitwise
CoinShares isn’t the only firm facing regulatory holdups. Earlier this week, the SEC also delayed rulings on XRP ETF filings from Grayscale and 21Shares. In a separate release, the agency confirmed a similar delay for Bitwise’s application involving the same digital asset.
Upcoming decisions for Canary Capital and WisdomTree, also linked to XRP ETFs, were originally due by May 26 and 27. However, analysts now expect these decisions to be postponed in line with other filings.
The regulatory body has also not acted on Solana ETF applications from Bitwise and 21Shares. These repeated delays show the Commission’s cautious approach to crypto backed funds. Instead of issuing timely decisions, the agency continues to push for extended comment periods and added reviews.
Analyst Forecasts Point to Q4 2025 Approval
Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart believes that while approvals may eventually come, they could be delayed until late in the year. He suggests the SEC might wait until the final deadline in Q4 2025 before taking action.
However, he does not rule out the possibility of a decision emerging as early as late June or early July. Polymarket prediction data currently shows an 83% probability of XRP ETF approval before the end of the year. Litecoin’s approval odds are listed slightly lower at 79%.
Litecoin’s Slight Edge Over XRP in Approval Odds
Despite the prediction markets, Bloomberg’s Seyffart and fellow analyst Eric Balchunas both put higher odds to Litecoin ETF approval. Seyffart places Litecoin’s chances at 90%, while XRP at 85%, according to the duo’s estimates.
Seyffart reiterated his view in a recent post on X, stating that Litecoin will likely be approved before XRP. Balchunas also commented on the movement of other ETFs, stating that BlackRock’s IBIT could surpass Satoshi Nakamoto’s BTC holdings by next summer.
The SEC’s continued delays on crypto ETFs reflect a pattern of regulatory caution. Upcoming deadlines for XRP and Litecoin ETFs have now been extended to August 24, joining postponed decisions on Solana-based proposals. These developments indicate that while momentum is building, definitive regulatory action remains on hold.
