The number of cryptocurrency ETF applications surges to 130, with new opportunities for SOL and XRP in 2026

According to the latest news, Nate Geraci, President of The ETF Store, recently stated on the X platform that more than 130 cryptocurrency-related ETF applications have been submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This figure not only reflects the ongoing growth in market demand for crypto asset allocation but also signals that the cryptocurrency ETF sector may enter a new differentiated stage by 2026.

Market Signals Behind the Surge in ETF Applications

What does 130+ applications indicate?

The over 130 ETF applications demonstrate an unprecedented enthusiasm among market participants for the tokenization of cryptocurrencies. This includes not only traditional financial institutions but also emerging crypto companies’ attempts. This “explosive” growth is closely linked to the solid foundation of the BTC market.

According to the latest data, Bitcoin (BTC) currently has a market capitalization of $1.86 trillion, accounting for 58.64% of the entire cryptocurrency market. The 24-hour trading volume is $3.305 billion, indicating ample market liquidity. This stability in fundamentals provides a solid basis for the launch of numerous ETF products.

Spot BTC and ETH ETFs have matured

Nate Geraci believes that spot BTC and ETH ETFs will become more mainstream by 2026. This means these two products have moved beyond the “novelty” stage and are becoming standard components of traditional investment portfolios. From market performance, BTC has increased by 4.37% over the past 7 days and 4.05% over the past 30 days, with stable gains reflecting ongoing demand for such products.

New Coin ETFs Become Growth Focus

Opportunities in SOL and XRP ETFs

Unlike BTC and ETH, ETF applications for SOL and XRP represent new growth directions. Nate Geraci explicitly states that market interest in ETFs for these two coins is increasing. The logic behind this is clear:

• The ETF market for BTC and ETH is relatively saturated, and new growth points are likely to target other leading coins
• SOL and XRP both have clear use cases and ecosystem support
• Investors’ demand for diversified crypto asset allocation is rising

Significant Growth in Cryptocurrency Index ETFs

Nate Geraci specifically mentions that cryptocurrency index ETFs are expected to see significant growth by 2026. These products track the performance of the entire crypto market or specific segments, offering lower risk and better diversification compared to single-coin ETFs. This reflects a market shift from “coin selection” to “asset allocation.”

Major Trends for Cryptocurrency ETFs in 2026

Summary

The surge to over 130 ETF applications is not accidental but an inevitable result of accelerated market institutionalization. By 2026, the cryptocurrency ETF market is expected to present a “two-tiered differentiation” pattern: one layer being the further mainstreaming of BTC and ETH, becoming standard in traditional portfolios; the other being the rapid expansion of new coin ETFs represented by SOL and XRP, exploring incremental markets. In this process, cryptocurrency index ETFs are likely to serve as an important bridge connecting traditional investors and the crypto market. For market participants, the key is to understand this differentiation trend rather than blindly chase individual products.