New Listing Regulation from BlackRock and Nasdaq

According to BlackRock’s application to the SEC, Nasdaq intends to integrate iShares Bitcoin Trust and iShares Ethereum Trust ETFs into the new general listing standards. If approved, IBIT and ETHA will trade under standard rules instead of the specific conditions mentioned in the initial applications. Additionally, Nasdaq has requested a waiver from the SEC for the five‑day waiting period stipulated in the 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) rule. The changes are set to take effect in the first quarter of 2026.

Not only Nasdaq but also CBOE BZX Exchange submitted a similar application on September 27. Leading asset management companies such as Fidelity, VanEck, and 21Shares have also applied to the SEC to have their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs regulated under the same standards. With the new rules taking effect from October 1, the approval period for crypto‑based ETFs will drop from 240 days to 75 days, eliminating the need for separate 19b‑4 applications by exchanges for listing spot commodity‑based ETFs.

The SEC’s withdrawal of delay notices for altcoin ETFs, such as Solana, XRP, Hedera, Litecoin and Cardano, indicates progress in their approval process.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Surpasses Deribit

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF attracted institutional investors when the SEC approved options trading earlier this year. According to Bloomberg data, the open position size in IBIT reached $38 billion by month‑end, surpassing Deribit’s $32 billion open position, illustrating Wall Street‑based products’ burgeoning dominance in the crypto derivatives market.

Last Friday’s $23 billion options expiration further bolstered IBIT’s trading volume. The total assets under the ETF’s control rose to $87.71 billion, cementing its status as the world’s largest Bitcoin ETF. Meanwhile, the market awaits the SEC’s decision on allowing staking in Ethereum‑based spot ETFs.

According to Cryptoappsy data, Bitcoin’s price trades at $113,347 following these developments.