Good News For Shiba Inu (SHIB) Holders

The Shiba Inu development team has announced a major recognition for its flagship token, SHIB, marking a significant step forward for the project’s credibility within the global crypto landscape.

The update was shared by the project’s marketing lead, Lucie, who revealed that Shiba Inu has been added to the FTSE Grayscale Crypto Sectors Framework, a joint initiative between Grayscale Investments and FTSE Russell.

According to Lucie’s post on X, the new classification places Shiba Inu under the “Consumer & Culture” category. This designation recognizes SHIB as part of the growing segment of cryptocurrencies that intersect with entertainment, culture, and online communities, an area where Shiba Inu has built one of the strongest global followings.

Expanding Institutional Recognition

The FTSE Grayscale Crypto Sectors Framework was introduced in 2023 to categorize digital assets beyond the scope of traditional large-cap cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The framework divides assets into five distinct segments: Financials, Smart Contract Platforms, Currencies, Utilities & Services, and Consumer & Culture.

When the index was first launched, tokens like ImmutableX (IMX), Decentraland (MANA), and ApeCoin (APE) were included under the Consumer & Culture classification. Shiba Inu was notably absent at the time.

However, in the latest update, Grayscale has officially included SHIB in that category, a move Lucie says reaffirms the token’s staying power and the strength of its community-driven ecosystem. She added that this acknowledgment reflects the project’s long-term potential and confirms that its foundation remains strong and its vision is alive.

SHIB Among Assets Eligible for Spot ETFs

Beyond classification, Shiba Inu’s inclusion in the framework carries further significance. According to Grayscale’s latest report, SHIB is among the cryptocurrencies that satisfy the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Generic Listing Standards (GLS), a regulatory guideline that allows certain crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) to be listed without individual SEC approval.

Under the GLS framework, exchanges can list spot ETFs for assets that meet defined eligibility criteria and have an effective registration statement. Grayscale’s analysis identified 11 cryptocurrencies across four sectors that qualify under these standards.

In the Consumer & Culture category, Shiba Inu and Dogecoin are the only two assets recognized. Other qualifying assets include XRP, Litecoin, Stellar, and Bitcoin Cash from the Currencies sector; Polkadot, Cardano, Solana, and Avalanche from Smart Contract Platforms; and Chainlink from Utilities & Services.

Currently, Solana and Litecoin already have spot ETFs trading in the United States, while applications for Cardano, XRP, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash remain under review.

SHIB Yet to Receive a Standalone ETF Filing

Despite meeting the SEC’s Generic Listing Standards, there is still no individual application for a Shiba Inu spot ETF in the U.S. market. However, industry observers note growing institutional interest in SHIB, particularly following T. Rowe Price’s mention of the token as a possible component in its Active Crypto ETF product lineup.

Outside the United States, the project has already seen success in traditional finance integration. Valour Inc., a European investment firm, previously launched a Swedish krona (SEK)-denominated ETP tracking Shiba Inu’s performance.

While Grayscale’s latest framework update identifies Shiba Inu as eligible for a future ETF under current regulatory standards, it remains uncertain whether the firm intends to proceed with an official filing. Still, the token’s inclusion signals growing acknowledgment of SHIB’s influence and longevity within the broader crypto market.