Major Moves: Coinbase and 21Shares Submit Applications for SOL Coin and 5 Altcoins Futures

• Coinbase, a leading player in the cryptocurrency world, is poised to deepen its involvement in the U.S. futures market.
• The company has submitted five new applications to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
• These applications aim to list futures contracts for popular altcoins including Shiba Inu (SHIB), Chainlink (LINK), Avalanche (AVAX), Stellar Lumens (XLM), and Polkadot (DOT).

Discover the latest developments as Coinbase aims to broaden its footprint in the U.S. crypto futures market with new CFTC applications, alongside 21Shares’ intriguing Solana ETF pursuit.

Coinbase Moves to List Futures for Five Altcoins

Coinbase had previously provided futures trading services for Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin, predominantly via its global platform, Coinbase International. However, the company is now shifting its focus towards the U.S. market, seeking critical approval from the CFTC to offer futures for SHIB, LINK, AVAX, XLM, and DOT. This regulatory approval is essential for the future trajectories of these altcoins within the U.S., potentially driving heightened investor interest and market activity.

Impact on Market Dynamics

If approved, these futures contracts may commence trading around July 15, potentially invigorating investor enthusiasm and market volatility. In a U.S. crypto market heavily monitored by regulations, the CFTC’s approval process remains an uncertain yet powerful indicator of the market’s expansion potential.

21Shares Eyes Solana ETF Approval

In a parallel development, asset management firm 21Shares has submitted a Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Dubbed as 21Shares Core Solana ETF, the fund aims to consolidate SOL transactions across major U.S. exchanges, mirroring Solana’s price performance. This follows a trend of increased regulatory filings, signaling growing institutional interest in integrating cryptocurrency assets with traditional finance.

Challenges and Expectations

The custodianship of the fund will be managed by Coinbase Custody Trust Company. However, the absence of Solana futures products could pose challenges to the ETF’s approval. Experts suggest that potential shifts in U.S. regulatory landscapes, including possible regulatory relaxations and classification of Solana as a commodity post Ethereum 2.0 investigation, might expedite the approval process.

Conclusion

Coinbase’s initiative to penetrate deeper into the U.S. futures market, coupled with increasing Solana ETF applications by firms like 21Shares, signifies a notable trend towards the integration of cryptocurrency with traditional financial systems. These developments mark critical milestones for both the market and investors, warranting close monitoring in the forthcoming weeks.