- Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas predicts actively managed memecoin ETFs could launch by 2026, driven by growing investor interest despite regulatory delays.
- However, progress depends heavily on the SEC resolving its ongoing approval backlog and restoring a fair review process.
Memecoin ETFs: A Serious Prospect?
What started as a joke might soon become a financial product traded on Wall Street. According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, the world could see the launch of actively managed memecoin ETFs by 2026. This bold prediction comes amid increasing demand for alternative crypto investment products—and growing investor appetite for speculative digital assets like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and others.
Balchunas believes memecoins are uniquely suited for active management due to their high volatility and lack of traditional financial analysis. In his view, this setup could create an opportunity for a “star fund manager” who thrives on spotting short-term winners in the meme sector.
Also read: Nasdaq Proposes Adding XRP, Solana, Cardano, and Stellar to Crypto Index Amid Growing Institutional Demand
Not Just Hype—Strategy Behind the Memecoin ETF
The idea isn’t just to hold meme tokens and hope for the best. Instead, these proposed ETFs would buy promising memecoins and sell off weaker performers, potentially generating alpha for investors. In fact, some versions may not even hold the tokens directly. Instead, they could gain exposure via other ETFs compliant with SEC regulations under the 1940 or 1933 Acts.
As one crypto enthusiast under the name Vladcoin put it, “There should be an ETF that actively trades memecoins.” The growing belief is that actively managed memecoin ETFs could balance risk and reward more effectively than passive approaches in such a volatile segment.
Regulatory Red Tape Slows Momentum
While the enthusiasm is there, one major hurdle remains: the SEC. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed multiple ETF proposals, including those for well-known tokens like XRP, Solana, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. These delays have frustrated issuers and stifled progress.
In response, industry players such as VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital have called on the SEC to reinstate the “first-to-file” review model, which they argue would create a fairer and more transparent approval process.
The Road to 2026
If regulatory clarity arrives by 2025, the floodgates may open for a wave of actively managed crypto ETFs—including those focused entirely on memecoins. Until then, the memecoin ETF dream remains just over the horizon—not impossible, but still waiting for a green light.
