‘ETFtober’ gets bigger, more than 5 new crypto ETFs filed this week
This week saw a flurry of activity in the digital-asset fund space as issuers filed for a new wave of crypto ETFs. These filings showcased growing innovation, featuring products with staking exposure, yield-generation strategies, options overlays, downside protection, and even leveraged structures aimed at amplifying returns. The expanding lineup reflects a deepening effort to attract both retail and institutional investors seeking diverse crypto-linked opportunities.
Despite the U.S. SEC’s review process slowing due to a federal shutdown, asset managers pressed ahead, continuing to fill the approval pipeline. Meanwhile, regulatory momentum wasn’t limited to the U.S. overseas authorities also advanced their frameworks, with Ghana signaling plans to finalize crypto rules by the end of the year. The global coordination highlights the maturing landscape of regulated digital finance.
What’s new this week
VanEck files & fee cuts
Lido staked Ethereum concept
Multiple crypto trade outlets reported VanEck submitted an S-1 for a Lido staked ETH ETF that would reference stETH and accrue protocol rewards. (Verification via SEC accession link not yet surfaced in EDGAR; see “Clarifications Needed.”) TradingViewSolana Staking ETF fee to 0.30%
VanEck updated its Solana ETF filing, trimming the fee; ETF analysts noted the change publicly.Background step already taken
Earlier this month VanEck registered a Delaware trust for the stETH concept, a common precursor to filing.
ARK Invest’s new BTC proposals
ARK Bitcoin Yield ETF: Seeks income via option-writing strategies on Bitcoin exposure.
ARK “DIET” Bitcoin 1 & 2 ETFs: Structured for partial downside buffers with rules-based upside participation; recent filings confirm the DIET series.
Leveraged & niche products multiply
Hyperliquid (HYPE) 2x exposure
21Shares filed for a daily 2x leveraged HYPE ETF, expanding DeFi-linked access (ETP exists in Europe; U.S. filing would be an ETF).Arms race for higher leverage
Volatility Shares proposed multiple 3x/5x strategies; regulators signaled uncertainty about approving >2x leverage.
Policy watch: Ghana
By December target
Bank of Ghana’s governor said the country aims to have crypto regulations in place by year-end, following months of technical work and IMF engagement.
Market context & why it matters
Issuers are iterating beyond plain-vanilla spot exposure toward:
Yield (covered calls/premiums),
Buffers (structured downside protection),
Staking-linked exposures (subject to separate regulatory questions), and
Leverage (heightened risk, tighter rule scrutiny)
The SEC has flagged uncertainty around extreme leverage, and any stETH-style fund would raise distinct issues (custody, valuation, reward treatment). Meanwhile, fee competition (e.g., 0.30% on Solana) underscores a maturing, price-sensitive market.
Tracker new crypto ETF filings this week
VanEck: stETH S-1 reported; Solana fee amendment to 0.30%.
ARK Invest: Bitcoin Yield ETF; DIET Bitcoin 1 & 2 series filed.
21Shares: 2x Hyperliquid (HYPE) ETF filing.
Volatility Shares: 3x/5x proposals.
Context & Analysis
The mix of buffered BTC strategies, option-income funds, staking-linked proposals, and high-leverage concepts suggests a maturing product stack catering to distinct risk budgets. Fee compression (e.g., 0.30%) hints at a price war for flows. The gating factors now look more structural (leverage rules, treatment of staking rewards) than purely market appetite.
Conclusion
The surge in filings during “ETFtober” highlights the accelerating institutional adoption of crypto-based investment products. Asset managers are increasingly exploring diverse strategies from staking integration to structured yield and leverage products signaling growing confidence in regulated digital-asset exposure.
Once the U.S. federal shutdown ends, the SEC is expected to resume reviews with renewed focus, potentially triggering a wave of approvals or clarifications. Key developments to watch include clearer leverage limits, updated risk disclosures, and formal guidance on how staking-linked ETFs will function within existing frameworks. Together, these moves could shape the next phase of crypto’s evolution in mainstream finance.
FAQs
Q : What are the standout proposals among new crypto ETF filings this week?
A : VanEck’s staking-linked concepts, ARK’s DIET buffered BTC funds, and 21Shares’ 2x HYPE ETF stand out among the latest filings.
Q : How would a staked ETH ETF work?
A : It would reference assets like stETH that accrue staking rewards, meaning valuation and tax treatment could differ from traditional spot ETH ETFs.
Q : Are 3x or 5x leveraged crypto ETFs likely to be approved soon?
A : It’s uncertain; the SEC highlighted ambiguity around such leverage levels during the federal shutdown.
Q : What is ARK’s “DIET” Bitcoin ETF idea?
A : It features rule-based downside buffers and conditional upside participation, as outlined in ARK’s recent filings.
Q : Does the U.S. shutdown halt all ETF decisions?
A : Not completely it slows or defers reviews, but issuers are still allowed to file new proposals.
Q : How does Ghana’s move matter to investors?
A : It signals growing regulatory normalization beyond the U.S., potentially broadening compliant crypto market access worldwide.
Q : Does any FAQ include the exact keyword “new crypto ETF filings this week”?
A : Yes see FAQ #1 above.
Facts
Event
Flurry of U.S. crypto ETF proposals and fee updates; Ghana sets year-end crypto-rules target.Date/Time
2025-10-17T12:00:00+05:00Entities
VanEck; ARK Invest; 21Shares; Volatility Shares; U.S. SEC; Bank of Ghana.Figures
Solana ETF fee 0.30% (VanEck filing/analyst note); proposed leverage up to 5x (issuer filings). X (formerly Twitter)+1Quotes
“Unclear if… 3x and 5x leveraged ETFs would be approved” SEC context reports. “Once [the] government shutdown ends, spot crypto ETF floodgates open” industry commentary. Reuters+1Sources
Reuters; SEC EDGAR; CoinDesk; The Block; Cointelegraph (via TradingView). TradingView+4Reuters+4Securities and Exchange Commission+4