T. Rowe Price Files for Actively Managed Crypto ETF, Surprising Analysts

Quick Breakdown

T. Rowe Price has filed with the SEC to launch an actively managed crypto ETF holding 5–15 major cryptocurrencies.
The move marks a significant shift from its mutual fund-dominated portfolio and conservative stance.
Analysts say the filing shows legacy firms are racing to secure a foothold in the booming digital asset ETF market.

T. Rowe price makes nold entry into Crypto ETF market

In a surprising twist, trillion-dollar asset manager T. Rowe Price has filed to launch an actively managed cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States. The move marks a dramatic pivot for the 87-year-old investment firm, which has traditionally focused on mutual funds and remained cautious toward digital assets.

The filing, submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday, outlines plans for an “Active Crypto ETF” that will invest in five to fifteen cryptocurrencies approved under the SEC’s generic listing standards. Eligible assets include Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, among others.

The filing has drawn strong reactions from industry observers. Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth Management, described the move as “completely from left field,” suggesting that traditional investment giants that missed the first wave of crypto ETFs are now racing to establish their positions.

Similarly, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas labeled the filing a “semi-shock,” noting that T. Rowe Price’s $1.8 trillion portfolio has long been centered around mutual funds. “Did not expect it, but I get it. There’s gonna be a land rush for this space too,” he said.

Active management and broader token exposure

Unlike single-asset ETF applications currently awaiting SEC approval, T. Rowe’s proposed fund aims to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index. Its asset weighting will be determined by fundamentals, valuation, and momentum rather than purely by market capitalization.

Other cryptocurrencies considered for inclusion include Cardano (ADA), Avalanche (AVAX), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Hedera (HBAR), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), and Shiba Inu (SHIB).

The fund’s diversified approach could give investors broader exposure to the crypto market without concentrating risk in a single token.

Notably, The U.S. SEC) is set to rule on 16 cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications in October. The pending decisions cover major tokens such as Solana (SOL), XRP, Litecoin (LTC), Cardano (ADA), Hedera (HBAR), and Dogecoin (DOGE), with final deadlines staggered across the month.

If you would like to read more articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and CoinMarketCap Community.