The booming memecoin market could soon inspire the launch of active memecoin ETFs, with analysts pointing to 2026 as a likely debut year.
Key Points:
A Bloomberg analyst predicts a high chance of memecoin ETFs launching in 2026.
Memecoin market cap exceeds $60 billion, surpassing Tron and Cardano combined.
Dogecoin ETF filings may serve as a key litmus test for broader altcoin ETF approval.
Memecoin ETFs Likely by 2026, Analyst Predicts
The surging popularity of memecoins may soon translate into a new wave of crypto investment products. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas says there’s a "really good chance" that actively managed memecoin-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will debut by 2026.
“First, we’ll get a slew of active crypto ETFs,” Balchunas wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on June 7. “Then a memecoin-only fund will follow.”
The prediction comes as memecoin trading volumes skyrocket in 2025, driven by retail enthusiasm and speculative interest. With the sector’s market capitalization now topping $60 billion — more than Tron (TRX) and Cardano (ADA) combined — asset managers may look to capitalize on investor demand with targeted ETF offerings.
Actively Managed Memecoin Funds Could Disrupt the Market
Balchunas responded to a post from the Vladcoin team, who proposed a dynamic memecoin ETF that “actively trades, buys the promising ones and sells the weaker ones.”
Unlike passive ETFs that track a single asset or index, active ETFs provide flexibility to adjust holdings based on performance. This approach could be particularly useful in the volatile and fast-moving memecoin sector, where many tokens rise and fall on social sentiment and celebrity endorsements.
Dogecoin ETF May Be the Tipping Point
The success or failure of a spot Dogecoin (DOGE) ETF could pave the way for broader memecoin ETF adoption. Several issuers — including Grayscale, Bitwise, 21Shares, Osprey Funds, and Rex Shares — have filed applications with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch spot ETFs tied to Dogecoin, TRUMP, and Bonk (BONK).
“The Dogecoin ETF filing will tell us a lot,” Balchunas noted, especially as crypto tokens wait for exemption from the 1933 Securities Act — a key hurdle to inclusion in active ETFs.
Polymarket Odds Drop, SEC Approval Still Uncertain
Although Balchunas previously gave a 75% probability of SEC approval for a Dogecoin ETF in 2025, the outlook has cooled. On blockchain prediction market Polymarket, odds for DOGE ETF approval have dropped to 44%.
To date, the SEC has not approved any memecoin or altcoin ETFs — including those tied to Solana (SOL), XRP, or Litecoin (LTC). According to Bloomberg, more than 70 U.S. crypto ETFs are awaiting regulatory decisions this year.
Memecoin Prices Drop Sharply From 2025 Highs
Despite strong investor interest, the memecoin sector has seen steep declines since its January peak. Dogecoin is down 75% from its high, Shiba Inu (SHIB) has dropped 85%, and PEPE is down nearly 60%.
The TRUMP token, which recently gained attention after former President Donald Trump’s son hinted at an acquisition, has fallen 86% from its all-time high.
The memecoin boom may be cooling, but analysts say investor appetite — and ETF innovation — could heat up again if the broader crypto market stabilizes.
