The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) extended the timeline to review Franklin Templeton’s proposed spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) for Solana (SOL) and XRP. The agency now plans to release its decision by October 2025 for Solana and by November 2025 for XRP—pushing the announcement later than initially expected.
Franklin Templeton, one of the top asset management firms, proposed these ETFs as part of its broader strategy to expand crypto-focused investment tools for the general public. If regulators grant approval, the funds could become among the first Solana and XRP spot ETFs launched in the U.S., marking a significant step toward the inclusion of altcoins in traditional financial markets.
SEC Postpones Decision Again
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) called for an extended evaluation, citing the need to assess market integrity, investor safeguards, and alignment with the Securities Exchange Act. Officials clarified that this postponement serves as a procedural step rather than a signal of denial. As seen with earlier cryptocurrency ETF evaluations, the SEC is carefully scrutinizing each proposal to ensure adherence to rigorous regulatory criteria, especially regarding custody protocols and manipulation risks.
The extension comes amid the SEC’s cautious stance on financial products tied to cryptocurrencies. Although the agency approved spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year, it continues to apply tighter oversight to altcoin-backed ETFs. Questions about their legal classification and decentralized nature have yet to be fully addressed, prompting regulators to proceed carefully.
The SEC’s delay arrives as both retail and institutional investors show growing enthusiasm for altcoin ETFs, viewing them as a bridge between digital assets and traditional finance. However, with final decisions postponed until late 2025, lingering regulatory ambiguity and tempered expectations continue to influence investor confidence.
At present, the cryptocurrency sector closely monitors the SEC as it continues advancing through the evaluation phase.