The crypto market is on edge as October is set to kick off a decisive month for cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will rule on 16 cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that could open the door for mainstream access to major altcoins. These include heavyweights like Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and even the popular memecoin Dogecoin.
As per James Seyffart’s August post, 16 ETF filings have an approval deadline in October. In his list, James highlighted 92 active crypto filings in the U.S., including spot, futures, and staking-based products.
ETF race heats up
The list shows several key asset managers driving the rush. Grayscale is pushing multiple trust-to-ETF conversions, including Solana and XRP. Meanwhile, Franklin Templeton and Hashdex remain focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum products. ProShares has expanded into leveraged and inverse ETFs for Solana and XRP, while Tuttle Capital has filed niche ETFs tied to tokens like Bonk and BNB.
The first decision arrives on October 2 with Canary’s Litecoin ETF. Grayscale’s Solana and Litecoin trust conversions follow on October 10. The month closes with WisdomTree’s XRP ETF deadline on October 24. Consequently, the wave of approvals could diversify crypto investment opportunities far beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Uptober and the altseason narrative
October has long been called “Uptober” by the crypto community, symbolizing seasonal strength in digital assets. ETF analyst Nate Geraci emphasized, “Enormous next few weeks for spot crypto ETFs… SEC final deadlines approaching on numerous filings.”
Analyst Gordon added a longer-term perspective. He argued that whales are preparing for another altseason. “Altseason will happen in Q4. Get ready for Uptober, Moonvember, and Pumpcember,” he wrote. His chart compared current trends with the 2016–2017 and 2020–2021 cycles, both of which sparked massive altcoin rallies.
As per the chart, the total altcoin market cap sits near $1.53 trillion. If historical cycles repeat, 2025 is expected to experience the next explosive surge.
The SEC’s decisions in October could kick off the next big crypto surge. If these ETFs get approved, more money could flow into altcoins. This may boost prices and possibly spark a strong rally before the year ends.