- A memecoin-focused ETF may be launched by 2026, following the rollout of actively managed cryptocurrency funds in late 2025.
- Regulatory obstacles persist, but shifts in SEC leadership could create a more open environment for digital asset ETF approvals.
- Dogecoin’s upcoming ETF filing may serve as a key indicator of how regulators respond to memecoin-specific investment products.
Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas has projected the possibility of a memecoin-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) launching in the United States by 2026. This forecast follows expectations for a wave of actively managed cryptocurrency ETFs to begin emerging by the end of 2025.
According to Balchunas, the future of ETFs may involve niche ideas, for instance, ETFs that track memecoins. There may now be room for these programs as crypto funds see greater popularity among investors. It is believed that these new developments will start in winter 2025, and the company may start offering additional services by 2026.
Active Management Could Suit Memecoin Volatility
Balchunas explained that the sharp differences in the performance of memecoins, along with the limited financial coverage around them, make these assets more suitable for active management strategies. He suggested that a memecoin ETF may not directly hold the tokens but could gain exposure through alternative structures. For instance, such a fund might invest in ETFs registered under the 1940 Act or 1933 Act that already include memecoins in their holdings.
ETF industry expert Dave Nadig weighed in, noting that regulatory classification remains a significant factor. Currently, grantor trusts—often used for crypto ETFs—cannot be actively managed, creating an obstacle for memecoin ETF proposals under existing laws. This limits the format that a memecoin ETF can take at present.
Leadership Shift at SEC May Influence ETF Approval
The possibility of policy shifts at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission could ease these regulatory barriers. Paul Atkins, now chair of the SEC, has expressed support for broader access to digital assets. Experts believe that this leadership stance may accelerate the approval process for memecoin-focused ETFs and related products.
Meanwhile, the SEC has continued to delay key decisions on a range of crypto-related ETFs. Applications involving Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, XRP, Bitcoin, and Dogecoin have all faced extended review timelines. Notably, Dogecoin is considered a likely candidate to serve as a model for future memecoin ETF proposals, especially as its own 33 Act filing gains attention among analysts.
