SEC scraps 19b-4 requirement, asks crypto ETF issuers to withdraw their filings

  • SEC adopts generic standards, ending the need for individual 19b-4 filings.
  • Crypto ETF issuers will now focus on S-1 reviews, possibly speeding up the ETF launch timelines.
  • Altcoin ETFs face a six-month futures trading rule before approval.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a decisive step that could reshape the crypto ETF landscape.

The agency has asked issuers of spot cryptocurrency ETFs, including those tied to Litecoin, XRP, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin, to withdraw their pending 19b-4 filings.

Notably, the directive follows the Commission’s recent adoption of generic listing standards, which remove the need for each ETF to undergo a separate regulatory filing process.

Generic standards replace old rules

The shift to generic listing standards, approved on September 17, 2025, allows exchanges to list commodity-based exchange-traded products, including crypto ETFs, without filing individual 19b-4 forms.

The change eliminates a process that often slowed approvals and created uncertainty for fund managers and investors.

Instead, the SEC will require issuers to focus on their S-1 registration statements, which remain a key part of the approval process.

By cutting out the redundant filings, the Commission hopes to streamline procedures and bring crypto ETFs in line with the frameworks already in place for traditional commodities like gold and oil.

What this means for the prospective crypto ETF issuers

For issuers, the immediate effect is a more straightforward path to market.

They no longer need to prepare and wait for 19b-4 reviews, which previously carried deadlines stretching as long as 240 days.

The new system allows exchanges to rely on predefined criteria when listing ETFs, meaning approvals could come much faster, sometimes within days once S-1s are cleared.

This acceleration has prompted optimism in the market, with analysts suggesting that several products could move forward almost immediately.

At the same time, issuers are now in a race to ensure their S-1 filings meet the SEC’s standards, as speed and readiness will determine who is first to market under the new framework.

Timelines and conditions

The framework does not mean every crypto asset can qualify instantly.

One of the key requirements is that futures tied to the asset must have traded for at least six months on a CFTC-regulated exchange.

This condition ensures sufficient market maturity before related ETFs can launch.

For XRP, futures began trading on May 19, 2025, meaning the earliest possible ETF approval under the new standards would be November 19.

Other altcoins, including Litecoin (LTC), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Dogecoin (DOGE), will need to meet the same futures trading requirement before qualifying.

This sets clear benchmarks for when new ETFs tied to these assets might realistically debut.

Market impact and risks

The SEC’s move is widely viewed as a milestone for the industry.

By positioning crypto ETFs alongside established commodity-based products, the agency is offering issuers and investors a clearer and more predictable path to market.

The change could boost institutional demand for altcoin exposure, reinforcing the narrative of digital assets moving deeper into mainstream finance.

However, uncertainties remain. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart has warned that the looming US government shutdown could complicate the timing of approvals.

Polymarket data currently suggests a high probability of a shutdown by October 1, a scenario that may disrupt the SEC’s ability to process filings.

Even without such disruptions, some analysts caution that the hype surrounding ETF approvals could lead to a short-term “sell-the-news” pullback once products go live.

The post SEC scraps 19b-4 requirement, asks crypto ETF issuers to withdraw their filings appeared first on CoinJournal.

Polkadot community votes on pUSD stablecoin proposal

  • Polkadot has opened voting on DOT-backed pUSD amid strong support and sharp criticism.
  • The previous failed aUSD stablecoin project raises doubts over governance and technical trust.
  • Polkadot founder Gavin Wood is pushing the stablecoin strategy to steady validator rewards.

The Polkadot community is weighing one of its most consequential proposals to date, a plan to launch a native stablecoin backed entirely by DOT tokens.

Known as pUSD, the project is being debated through an on-chain referendum that has quickly attracted strong interest, passionate support, and sharp criticism in equal measure.

Polkadot’s push for a native stablecoin

The proposal was introduced by Bryan Chen, co-founder and chief technology officer of Acala, through RFC-155.

The proposal aims to deploy a DOT-backed stablecoin on Polkadot’s Asset Hub, utilising the Honzon protocol.

For reference, Honzon previously powered Acala’s failed aUSD stablecoin, a connection that has fueled both technical optimism and community mistrust.

Chen has argued that Polkadot must have a native, decentralised stablecoin to reduce reliance on USDT and USDC, which dominate the ecosystem with a combined market share of more than $74 million.

Without such a move, Chen warned, the network risks losing liquidity and strategic advantages to competing chains that already feature their own native stablecoins.

At the time of writing, more than 74.6% of votes are cast in favour of the measure, though it has not yet reached the 79.7% approval threshold required for passage.

Over $5.6 million worth of DOT, amounting to more than 1.4 million tokens, has already been committed to the vote.

The vote remains open for another three weeks, ensuring that the outcome is far from certain.

Acala’s memories and community doubts

While the case for a DOT-backed stablecoin is clear to many, memories of Acala’s collapse in 2022 still hang over the debate.

Acala’s aUSD project was crippled after an exploit, leading to a loss of trust and financial damage that rippled across the ecosystem.

Critics argue that no one involved with Acala should be tasked with launching another stablecoin, no matter the technical merits of the underlying protocol.

Some of the network’s most vocal participants have voted against the measure, pointing to the risk of repeating past mistakes.

The group known as TheGlobedotters stated that Acala should never again be entrusted with a strategic project of this scale, while others stressed the need for strict oversight from Polkadot’s Technical Fellowship before any stablecoin could be deployed.

The White Rabbit, another community member, opposed the proposal but suggested they could support it under conditions that explicitly exclude Acala from development and guarantee robust governance safeguards.

Gavin Wood outlines the broader vision for Polkadot

Polkadot founder Gavin Wood has added weight to the conversation by articulating a wider strategy for stablecoins within the ecosystem.

Earlier this month, Wood argued that Polkadot must pursue multiple approaches, including fully collateralised native stablecoins and what he termed “stable-ish” assets designed to reduce, but not eliminate, DOT’s volatility.

Wood also highlighted validator incentives as a key consideration. He has floated the idea of paying validators directly in a DOT-backed stablecoin such as pUSD, instead of volatile DOT rewards.

This shift, Wood argued, would stabilise validator income, attract institutional participants, and strengthen the network’s long-term security model.

Under the design, DOT would be used as collateral, and PUSD would be minted against it with liquidation mechanisms ensuring the peg remains intact.

Supporters say this could solve a long-standing problem of validator earnings fluctuating sharply as DOT’s price swings.

The post Polkadot community votes on pUSD stablecoin proposal appeared first on CoinJournal.

IBIT surpasses Deribit as largest Bitcoin options venue

  • IBIT surpasses Deribit with $38B in Bitcoin options open interest, reshaping crypto markets.
  • Wall Street’s rise in Bitcoin options brings tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and less volatility.
  • Deribit, now owned by Coinbase, stays popular with crypto-native traders despite losing the top spot.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust has overtaken Coinbase’s Deribit as the leading platform for Bitcoin options, signaling a shift in the center of gravity for crypto trading from offshore hubs to Wall Street.

IBIT takes the lead

Open interest in options tied to the Nasdaq-listed iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) reached nearly $38 billion, outpacing $32 billion on Deribit following Friday’s contract expiry, according to data from Bloomberg and Deribit.

This development marks a significant milestone.

Deribit, founded in 2016, had long dominated Bitcoin options activity and was widely seen as the go-to marketplace for crypto derivatives.

The change comes less than a year after IBIT introduced options in November, underscoring its rapid ascent.

With $84 billion in assets, IBIT is already the world’s largest Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.

The growth of its options market is reinforcing a feedback loop in which deeper liquidity drives legitimacy, attracting more inflows and further strengthening its position.

Wall Street’s growing role in Bitcoin markets

Market participants view the development as part of a broader structural shift in crypto markets.

George Mandres, senior trader at XBTO Trading, said in a Bloomberg report that Wall Street’s increasing participation in Bitcoin options brings “substantial capital and trading expertise.”

He argued that the presence of large financial institutions is contributing to tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and greater efficiency across the market.

Mandres also suggested that the influence of traditional players could lead to a “volatility of volatility” dampening effect, making Bitcoin price swings less extreme.

As institutional investors weigh Bitcoin alongside traditional assets such as gold or major currencies, he sees the potential for a long-term decline in volatility.

Still, Mandres emphasized that the transition will not result in the complete centralization of liquidity in the US.

Instead, he anticipates the emergence of two parallel ecosystems: one centered around regulated traditional finance (TradFi) products like IBIT, and another in offshore and decentralized finance (DeFi) venues catering to higher-risk traders.

Deribit’s role and the offshore market

Despite losing its top ranking, Deribit remains a key player in Bitcoin derivatives markets.

Acquired by Coinbase for about $2.9 billion in August, the platform continues to attract crypto-native traders drawn to its flexibility and offshore operating model.

For years, Deribit was synonymous with leverage-driven crypto derivatives trading, shaping market dynamics through its dominance.

While IBIT’s rise underscores Wall Street’s growing footprint, Deribit’s continued popularity reflects the enduring demand for less-regulated environments and experimental financial products.

The shift in leadership highlights a fundamental transformation: Bitcoin derivatives are moving closer to the regulated core of the US financial system.

This evolution could reshape how both institutions and retail investors approach the asset class, balancing the appeal of stability and oversight against the appetite for risk and innovation.

As Bitcoin’s role in mainstream finance continues to evolve, the split between regulated and offshore markets may define the next phase of growth in digital assets.

The post IBIT surpasses Deribit as largest Bitcoin options venue appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin surges to $112K as Strategy adds 196 BTC, analysts eye $120K potential

  • Bitcoin hits $112k, fueled by institutional buying.
  • Strategy added 196 BTC, increasing its holdings to 640,031 BTC.
  • Analysts see potential for $120,000 but warn of volatility risks.

Bitcoin (BTC) has surged to $112k, fueled by renewed institutional interest and a significant acquisition by Strategy, the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder.

Strategy acquires 196 BTC, holdings hit 640,031

Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, has announced the acquisition of 196 Bitcoin for an undisclosed amount, bringing its total holdings to 640,031 BTC, according to a Form 8-K filing.

The purchase, funded through the company’s ATM offering programs, outlines Strategy’s position as the leading corporate Bitcoin treasury, with holdings valued at approximately $71.7 billion based on current market prices.

The acquisition follows a pattern of consistent buying, with Strategy adding 850 BTC on September 22, 2025, and 525 BTC on September 15, 2025, at an average price of $114,562 per BTC.

Michael Saylor, the Executive Chairman, has a strategy of leveraging equity and debt financing to accumulate BTC which has solidified the company’s role as a Bitcoin-backed treasury model.

This latest purchase concurs with Bitcoin’s price climbing to $112,500, reflecting a 2.9% increase from $109,525.50 three days prior.

Analysts on BTC price outlook

Analysts are cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin’s price trajectory following its climb to $112,000.

The surge aligns with the Strategy’s aggressive accumulation and broader market momentum, but opinions vary on future movements.

Analysts have projected BTC could reach $150k-$200k in 2025, and institutional adoption and macroeconomic factors are seen as key tailwinds. However, some say volatility means bears may not be done yet.

QCP analysts shared their outlook

“After a volatile September, $BTC is still up more than 3% on the month. Options markets show conviction slowly returning, but the 115k level remains the hurdle to clear for a renewed uptrend.”

Bitcoin at ‘Buy’ for dip level?

According to QCP analysts, the crypto market is showing “signs of recovery” following the carnage seen the previous week. The shakeout that saw BTC trade to under $109k may nonetheless offer a buy-the-dip opportunity.

“Despite sizable ETF outflows, particularly on Friday, spot managed to hold sideways through the weekend. This points to quarter-end basis unwinds as a key driver of redemptions, with markets absorbing the selling pressure more smoothly than expected,” QCP wrote. “With spot rebounding, this week’s ETF flows could set the tone for institutional demand heading into a seasonally bullish month.”

Strategy’s consistent buying is seen as a bullish signal, with potential U.S. policies on digital assets influencing long-term price stability.

If bulls rally, Bitcoin’s ability to break past $117k will be crucial. The level marks a sizable supply wall area and will b pivotal for a breakout above $118k and retest of the $120k mark.

The post Bitcoin surges to $112K as Strategy adds 196 BTC, analysts eye $120K potential appeared first on CoinJournal.

Trump affiliated World Liberty Financial executes $1.43M token burn amid WLFI market volatility

  • WLFI burns 7.89M tokens ($1.43M) following $1.06M buyback to reduce circulating supply.
  • 99% of WLFI holders approved burn plan; program excludes community liquidity pools.
  • Trump family controls $5B in WLFI; token trades at $0.2049 after recent market volatility.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance (DeFi) project affiliated with US President Donald Trump, has executed a significant token burn, removing 7.89 million WLFI tokens from circulation, valued at roughly $1.43 million.

The burn follows a $1.06 million buyback across multiple blockchain networks, part of a strategy approved by WLFI holders to stabilize token supply and market dynamics.

WLFI token burn and buyback details

According to onchain data compiled by Lookonchain, the WLFI team collected 4.91 million WLFI (approximately $1.01 million) along with $1.06 million in fees and earnings from liquidity operations.

These funds were used to repurchase 6.04 million WLFI on the open market.

Following these transactions, the team burned 7.89 million WLFI tokens on both the BNB Smart Chain (BNB) and Ethereum (ETH) networks.

A total of 3.06 million WLFI ($638,000) remains on Solana (SOL), with the project indicating that further burns may occur.

The token burn program aims to permanently reduce WLFI’s circulating supply, thereby alleviating selling pressure and supporting market stability.

Community and third-party liquidity pools are not included in the burn process, with the initiative relying solely on fees generated from WLFI-managed liquidity pools.

Governance approval and market context

The burn plan was approved via governance vote earlier this month, with overwhelming support: 99% of WLFI holders voted in favor.

This approval demonstrates strong alignment between the community and the project’s management regarding strategies to manage token supply and enhance long-term value.

The WLFI price has experienced significant fluctuations, falling roughly 33% over the past month.

As of Saturday, the token was trading at $0.2049, marking a 6% increase over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko.

Despite this rebound, WLFI remains down more than 38% from its all-time high.

Market analysts and onchain observers have noted that the burn could potentially remove up to 4 million WLFI per day, translating to nearly 2% of the total supply annually, although exact figures have yet to be confirmed.

Trump family holdings and token unlocks

The WLFI project has drawn additional attention due to its connection with the Trump family.

Entities linked to President Donald Trump reportedly control around $5 billion worth of WLFI tokens following a scheduled unlock of 24.6 billion tokens earlier this month.

Initial holders listed on the project’s website include DT Marks DEFI LLC and family members Donald Jr., Barron, and Eric Trump, who collectively held 22.5 billion WLFI.

The token experienced a brief spike to $0.40 following the unlock before retreating to around $0.21.

This volatility highlights both the influence of large token holders and the potential impact of strategic buybacks and burns on market sentiment.

Outlook and implications

The WLFI token burn and repurchase program represents a deliberate effort by the project to strengthen market confidence and mitigate price declines amid recent volatility.

By leveraging governance-approved strategies and onchain revenue streams, WLFI aims to create a sustainable framework for value appreciation.

The project will likely continue monitoring supply and demand dynamics, with future burns on Solana pending further action.

For investors and observers, the ongoing management of WLFI supply, combined with significant holdings by high-profile individuals, underscores the complex interplay of DeFi mechanics and market sentiment in shaping token performance.

The post Trump affiliated World Liberty Financial executes $1.43M token burn amid WLFI market volatility appeared first on CoinJournal.