The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed its decision on the 21Shares Spot Polkadot (DOT) ETF until November 8, 2025. This delay is consistent with the SEC's historically cautious stance on approving cryptocurrency-related ETFs and reflects ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
Following the announcement, Polkadot's price increased sharply by approximately 8.5%, demonstrating strong investor optimism despite the extended review period. Analysts remain positive about the eventual approval, with some forecasting a 90% likelihood that the SEC will greenlight the ETF by the revised deadline.
21Shares, the issuer behind the ETF proposal, currently manages over $27 million in assets related to Polkadot products and aims to provide U.S. investors easier access to DOT through a spot ETF. While the SEC has not provided specific commentary on the delay, the extension gives regulators more time to collect information and public feedback necessary for a final decision.
This development notably impacts the Polkadot ecosystem by potentially increasing institutional and retail investor access upon approval. The delay and ensuing price movement reflect broader regulatory dynamics regarding crypto investment products. Market watchers also note that similar SEC reviews are underway for ETFs tied to other major altcoins, such as Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH), though the immediate effect remains confined primarily to Polkadot.
Historically, SEC delays have caused short-term volatility but have often preceded eventual product approvals, maintaining market confidence in regulated crypto investment instruments. Overall, the decision delay underscores ongoing regulatory complexity but is interpreted by analysts and market participants as a temporary hurdle rather than a setback.