• Bitwise’s 8(a) filing could fast-track Dogecoin ETF approval, signaling stronger mainstream acceptance for the memecoin in finance.
• The SEC’s shutdown-era filing changes give Bitwise a 20-day window, allowing the DOGE ETF to launch without lengthy delays.
• The REX-Osprey DOGE ETF’s strong debut shows massive investor appetite, setting the stage for Bitwise’s upcoming DOGE fund.

Bitwise has taken a bold step toward launching a spot Dogecoin ETF, filing an 8(a) form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. The filing indicates that the SEC could approve another DOGE-backed exchange-traded fund soon, signaling further mainstream adoption for the popular memecoin. According to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas, the fund could begin trading within 20 days, making it one of the fastest ETF approvals in the crypto market this year.

Bitwise’s 8(a) filing could fast-track Dogecoin ETF approval, signaling stronger mainstream acceptance for the memecoin in finance.The SEC’s shutdown-era filing changes give Bitwise a 20-day window, allowing the DOGE ETF to launch without lengthy delays.The REX-Osprey DOGE ETF’s strong debut shows massive investor appetite, setting the stage for Bitwise’s upcoming DOGE fund.Bitwise has taken a bold step toward launching a spot Dogecoin ETF, filing an 8(a) form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. The filing indicates that the SEC could approve another DOGE-backed exchange-traded fund soon, signaling further mainstream adoption for the popular memecoin. According to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas, the fund could begin trading within 20 days, making it one of the fastest ETF approvals in the crypto market this year.

Bitwise’s Strategic Move Toward Speedy Approval

The Bitwise Dogecoin ETF filing comes at a time when the SEC’s approval pipeline has been slowed by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Despite that, Bitwise is navigating the system cleverly by using the 8(a) process, which automatically takes effect after 20 days unless the SEC intervenes. This move bypasses the usual bureaucratic review that often delays ETF launches.

Bitwise’s Strategic Move Toward Speedy ApprovalThe Bitwise Dogecoin ETF filing comes at a time when the SEC’s approval pipeline has been slowed by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Despite that, Bitwise is navigating the system cleverly by using the 8(a) process, which automatically takes effect after 20 days unless the SEC intervenes. This move bypasses the usual bureaucratic review that often delays ETF launches.

Moreover, Bitwise has already shown strong performance with its Staking Solana ETF, which recently crossed $500 million in assets. The success of that fund appears to have encouraged Bitwise to push forward with the Dogecoin product. According to the company’s S-1 and 19b-4 filings, the DOGE ETF will hold Dogecoin as its primary asset and use the CF Dogecoin-Dollar Settlement Price to calculate its Net Asset Value (NAV) daily.

Moreover, Bitwise has already shown strong performance with its Staking Solana ETF, which recently crossed $500 million in assets. The success of that fund appears to have encouraged Bitwise to push forward with the Dogecoin product. According to the company’s S-1 and 19b-4 filings, the DOGE ETF will hold Dogecoin as its primary asset and use the CF Dogecoin-Dollar Settlement Price to calculate its Net Asset Value (NAV) daily.

Regulatory Timing and Broader Context

Interestingly, the SEC had previously delayed Bitwise’s Dogecoin ETF decision in June, shortly after also postponing Grayscale’s Dogecoin Trust application. However, the latest 8(a) filing changes the dynamics completely. Since the form allows ETFs to go effective automatically, Bitwise may launch without the SEC’s formal sign-off, provided the listing standards are met.

Regulatory Timing and Broader ContextInterestingly, the SEC had previously delayed Bitwise’s Dogecoin ETF decision in June, shortly after also postponing Grayscale’s Dogecoin Trust application. However, the latest 8(a) filing changes the dynamics completely. Since the form allows ETFs to go effective automatically, Bitwise may launch without the SEC’s formal sign-off, provided the listing standards are met.

The timing is strategic. Following the October 1 government shutdown, the SEC implemented a revised shutdown plan that left many staff members furloughed. Yet, it also issued new guidance allowing companies to file S-1 registrations without delaying amendments. 

The timing is strategic. Following the October 1 government shutdown, the SEC implemented a revised shutdown plan that left many staff members furloughed. Yet, it also issued new guidance allowing companies to file S-1 registrations without delaying amendments. 

Consequently, firms can now launch ETFs 20 days after filing unless the SEC halts them. This streamlined process is creating a fast track for crypto-related ETFs, especially those backed by spot assets like Bitcoin, Solana, and now Dogecoin.

Consequently, firms can now launch ETFs 20 days after filing unless the SEC halts them. This streamlined process is creating a fast track for crypto-related ETFs, especially those backed by spot assets like Bitcoin, Solana, and now Dogecoin.

Rising Competition in Dogecoin ETFs

Bitwise isn’t the first to bring Dogecoin into the ETF spotlight. The REX-Osprey Dogecoin ETF (DOJE) launched on September 18, becoming the first U.S. spot DOGE ETF. The fund saw explosive interest on day one, recording $24 million in trading volume within hours. Balchunas commented that the launch “was five times greater than any of the XRP futures ETFs achieved on day one.”

Rising Competition in Dogecoin ETFsBitwise isn’t the first to bring Dogecoin into the ETF spotlight. The REX-Osprey Dogecoin ETF (DOJE) launched on September 18, becoming the first U.S. spot DOGE ETF. The fund saw explosive interest on day one, recording $24 million in trading volume within hours. Balchunas commented that the launch “was five times greater than any of the XRP futures ETFs achieved on day one.”

However, DOJE’s inflows have cooled, dropping from $35 million to $27 million. Despite this, its strong debut proves the market’s appetite for DOGE-linked investment products. Balchunas added that the performance “blew past expectations,” as DOJE crossed $6 million in trading volume within the first hour—far exceeding his initial $2.5 million benchmark.

However, DOJE’s inflows have cooled, dropping from $35 million to $27 million. Despite this, its strong debut proves the market’s appetite for DOGE-linked investment products. Balchunas added that the performance “blew past expectations,” as DOJE crossed $6 million in trading volume within the first hour—far exceeding his initial $2.5 million benchmark.