Crypto ETFs: What to Expect from Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP in May 2025

Crypto ETFs Are Heating Up — But We’re Still in the First Season

Call it Wall Street’s new favorite drama: “Crypto ETFs — The Approval Games.” It all kicked off with a bang when the SEC finally greenlit spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs, and later, Ethereum (ETH) ETFs tiptoed onto the scene. Those moves cracked open the regulatory door, and now we’ve got a full-on parade of crypto ETF applications—72 and counting—lined up outside the SEC like Swifties waiting for concert tickets.

Sure, only two have gotten the golden ticket so far, but the rest—including the much-hyped XRP ETF—are waiting for their close-up. With decisions expected throughout 2025, industry watchers say we’re only in Act I. One crypto analyst summed it up perfectly on X (formerly Twitter):

There are 72 ETF filings for Crypto ETFs, with a decision due this year.

We are FAR from being done. pic.twitter.com/RREDBa1JS6

— THG (@CryptoTHG) April 23, 2025

The SEC Hits Snooze on More Crypto ETFs

After the SEC finally said “yes” to BTC and ETH ETFs, the crypto community was buzzing with “who’s next?” energy. Franklin Templeton’s XRP spot ETF and Fidelity’s Ethereum staking ETF were among the hopefuls expected to get answers by April. But in true SEC fashion, the decision-making process has turned into one long coffee break. We’re now looking at June—or later—for updates.

And that’s not all. Bloomberg’s ETF whisperer, James Seyffart, recently warned that delays could stretch into the spooky season—or even 2026. Yep, the SEC is basically the George R.R. Martin of financial regulation: they’ll get there when they get there. Some analysts speculate that approvals might start moving faster once Paul Atkins settles into his role at the SEC, potentially ushering in a new wave of conditional green lights in Q3 or Q4 2025.

We also had the SEC delay decisions on Ethereum Staking and Dogecoin ETFs today. I am expecting more delays today or at least this week on some Solana and Hedera/HBAR ETF filings. This is expected IMO. Final deadlines for most of this stuff is in October 2025 or later. https://t.co/kOZNCSjy6c

— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) April 29, 2025

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Are Back in the Game, but XRP’s Still Waiting for Its Spotlight

Remember when the Bitcoin ETF finally came to life in early 2024, and the crypto market collectively screamed “Let’s goooo!”? That ETF has since raked in a massive $2.54 billion in volume, with total assets under management (AUM) reaching $113.62 billion. The fanfare surrounding its launch even helped catapult BTC to new Price highs, proving once again that institutional dollars can move markets faster than Elon Musk’s tweets.

Ethereum’s ETF, while not quite as flashy, still held its own. With a market cap of $177.15 billion and a growing AUM of $8.69 billion, ETH is far from being the Jan Brady to Bitcoin’s Marcia. That said, the recent crypto downturn—fueled in part by geopolitical tensions and the ongoing “Trump Trade War” storyline—did slow things down. But like any good comeback story, inflows have started rebounding.

Recent data shows that Bitcoin spot ETFs pulled in $591 million on Monday and $172.8 million on Tuesday, while Ethereum ETFs saw more modest inflows of $35.81K and $10.23K. Not blockbuster numbers for ETH, but with bullish investor sentiment on the rise, brighter days may be ahead—especially if the SEC can stop ghosting everyone.

May 2025: XRP’s Futures Debut and a Whole Lot of Waiting

So what’s on the crypto ETF calendar for May 2025? Well, it’s not exactly packed with fireworks, but there is one moment worth marking: the launch of the CME XRP futures ETF, scheduled for May 19. While it’s not the spot ETF XRP fans have been begging for, it’s still a step forward—and could help nudge other applications along the pipeline.

Meanwhile, the SEC’s tone toward crypto seems to be shifting—albeit slower than your grandma switching from dial-up to fiber internet. If the regulatory winds continue to blow in favor of innovation, we could see altcoin ETFs (think Solana, Dogecoin, and Hedera) start to gain steam later this year. And with central banks hinting at rate cuts and financial markets stabilizing, current ETFs might start seeing a serious inflow renaissance.

FAQ: Your Crypto ETF Cheat Sheet

🪙 What’s the current status of crypto ETFs in the U.S.?

Only two spot ETFs—Bitcoin and Ethereum—have been approved so far. Over 70 others are still under review by the SEC, including XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin ETFs.

⏳ Why is the SEC taking so long to approve more ETFs?

The SEC is notoriously cautious and seems to be reviewing these applications with the pace of a tortoise in a marathon. Political turnover and shifting regulatory attitudes are also contributing to the delays.

📈 Are Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs performing well?

Yes, especially Bitcoin ETFs, which have seen strong inflows and helped drive BTC prices higher. Ethereum ETFs have had a slower start, but are gaining traction, especially as market conditions improve.

📅 What should I watch for in May 2025?

Keep an eye on the CME XRP futures ETF launch on May 19. It could be a catalyst for movement on other XRP-related filings. Also, monitor SEC announcements—more delays or surprise approvals could shake things up.

🚀 When can we expect more ETF approvals?

The earliest we might see more movement is June 2025, with the majority of decisions potentially coming in Q3 or Q4—especially if new SEC leadership brings a more crypto-friendly approach.

Final Thoughts: The ETF Saga Continues

If you thought the crypto ETF storyline was reaching its climax, think again. We’re still in the middle of a long, twist-filled series, with plenty of plot developments ahead. From potential altcoin ETF approvals to institutional inflows gaining momentum, the stage is set for a dramatic second half of 2025. Until then, keep your eyes on the charts, your popcorn ready, and your regulatory expectations in check.

Because in the world of crypto ETFs, the only thing more unpredictable than the SEC’s timeline is Dogecoin’s next meme-fueled rally.