BlackRock Pushes for ETF Rule Changes 

Global asset manager BlackRock is taking another major step in the crypto market. The company submitted applications to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise its iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum ETF (ETHA). The amendments aim to bring both funds under Nasdaq’s general listing standards rather than the original application terms. 

According to Nasdaq filings, the proposed changes are expected to take effect in the first quarter of 2026. In addition, the exchange requested that the SEC waive the five-day pre-filing notice period, which would accelerate the listing process for crypto ETFs. 

SEC Approves New General Listing Standards for Crypto ETFs 

On October 1, the SEC officially approved new General Listing Standards for crypto exchange-traded funds. With this rule in place, exchanges such as Nasdaq, NYSE, and Cboe can now list commodity-based trust shares—including those tied to digital assets—without filing a 19b-4 form. 

This regulatory shift shortens the ETF approval timeline from 240 days to just 75 days. Furthermore, the SEC withdrew all delay notices on altcoin ETF applications, including those tied to Solana, XRP, HBAR, and Litecoin. Analysts suggest this signals progress toward the approval of the first altcoin ETFs under the Securities Act of 1933. 

Meanwhile, the Cboe BZX Exchange has also filed for amendments to ETFs from Fidelity, VanEck, and 21Shares, further expanding the scope of crypto ETF accessibility. 

IBIT Overtakes Deribit as Top BTC Options Platform 

According to Bloomberg, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has overtaken Deribit to become the largest BTC options platform. This milestone follows the SEC’s earlier approval of IBIT options, which enabled greater institutional participation. 

Last week, $23 billion worth of crypto options expired, with IBIT’s open interest on Nasdaq reaching $38 billion compared to Deribit’s $32 billion. This marks a clear paradigm shift as Wall Street deepens its involvement in the crypto derivatives market. 

Currently, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF manages $87.71 billion in assets, making it the largest Bitcoin ETF worldwide. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading above $114,100, reflecting continued investor demand. 

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