Bitwise Dogecoin ETF Countdown Starts: 20 Days to Potential Launch

• DOGE price falls nearly 50% since September.
• SEC may block ETF before automatic deadline.
• ETF would institutionalize DOGE beyond retail trading.

Bitwise could bring a spot Dogecoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) to market in as little as 20 days. The firm filed a registration statement under Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, a rule that allows such filings to become effective automatically unless the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) objects within that window. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas confirmed the filing, noting the procedural shortcut removes the need for the standard exchange rule change process.

Dogecoin’s market price tells a different story. Since reaching $0.297 in September, the token has dropped to $0.155, a decline of nearly 48%. Retail traders continue to drive most of the volume, and sentiment on social media remains a strong influence on short-term price action.

Meanwhile, institutional infrastructure builds in the background. Grayscale has also updated its Dogecoin ETF paperwork, triggering its own 20-day clock. Last week, ETFs tied to Solana, Litecoin, and Hedera began trading on U.S. exchanges, setting a clear template for other digital assets.

THE SECTION 8(A) ROUTE DOES NOT GUARANTEE SMOOTH SAILING

The SEC can still halt the process if it identifies compliance risks or disclosure gaps. But the agency’s silence so far on Dogecoin filings suggests a growing tolerance for altcoin-based products. Bloomberg estimates a 90% chance the DOGE ETF clears this stage.

An approved ETF would let institutional investors gain exposure without holding the token directly. Creation and redemption mechanisms built into ETFs offer tax and operational benefits that appeal to pension funds, asset managers, and family offices.