Dogecoin News Today: Dogecoin's ETF Gamble: Could a Meme Coin Go Mainstream?

REX Shares is poised to launch the first Dogecoin (DOGE) exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States as early as next week, according to Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas. The firm has adopted the 1940 Act regulatory framework for the ETF, a strategy it previously used for its Solana staking ETF. This route bypasses the more conventional and time-consuming Form S-1 and Form 19b-4 processes typically required for crypto ETFs. In its prospectus filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), REX warned that Dogecoin remains a "relatively new innovation" and is subject to substantial risks, including rapid price swings and market uncertainty [1].

The REX-Osprey DOGE ETF, named DOJE, has been structured as an open-end investment company, allowing it to qualify for faster regulatory approval compared to traditional spot crypto ETFs. The fund is set to allocate at least 80% of its assets to Dogecoin or DOGE-linked securities such as futures, swaps, and direct token exposure, with the remaining 20% held in U.S. Treasuries or cash equivalents to manage liquidity and reduce volatility. The product was initially filed with the SEC on January 21, 2025, under the ETF Opportunities Trust, and the prospectus was declared effective by the SEC via Post-Effective Amendment No. 367 [2].

The DOJE ETF will likely launch on a major exchange such as NYSE Arca, providing access for both retail and institutional investors. It will also be eligible for inclusion in retirement accounts like IRAs, broadening its appeal. If approved, the DOGE ETF would position Dogecoin ahead of more than 95 competing crypto ETF applications that remain pending due to the more complex regulatory processes. By leveraging the 1940 Act, the DOJE ETF avoids the delays associated with the S-1 and 19b-4 processes, which are currently stalling applications from rivals such as Bitwise, Grayscale, and 21Shares [1].

Dogecoin has experienced a 116.67% increase in price over the past year, according to CoinMarketCap, but it has since fallen 54% from its 2024 high of $0.4672 to $0.2129 at the time of publication. Despite this volatility, the coin has maintained mainstream media attention over the years, largely driven by its association with billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has previously referred to himself as the “Dogefather,” has also seen his attorney Alex Spiro reportedly chair a public company seeking to raise $200 million to invest in Dogecoin [1].

The approval of a Dogecoin ETF would represent another step in the institutionalization of crypto markets. Following the launches of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, a DOGE ETF would signal the SEC's openness to expanding the ETF landscape beyond the two largest cryptocurrencies. For investors, this would mark a transformation of Dogecoin from a speculative memecoin into a regulated financial product. It would also set a precedent for faster approvals of other crypto assets, provided they follow similar regulatory strategies [2].

Source: [1] Dogecoin may see first-ever ETF launch next week: Analyst (https://cointelegraph.com/news/dogecoin-etf-united-states-launch-next-week-analyst) [2] Dogecoin ETF Could Win Approval Ahead of 95 Other (https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/dogecoin-etf-win-approval-ahead-95-crypto-funds/)