Polkadot News Today: Regulators Buy Time as HBAR and DOT ETFs Edge Closer to Approval

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the decision timeline for the Canary HBAR and Grayscale Polkadot (DOT) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to November 8, 2025. The extension follows multiple delays since March, with additional 60-day extensions in April and June for both applications. According to filings, the SEC is seeking more time to finalize the Generic Listing Standards for spot crypto ETFs, a framework it aims to establish before approving any altcoin-based products beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum [1].

The extended timeline for the HBAR ETF application began when Nasdaq filed its proposal in February, with amendments in March triggering the 180-day review period. The SEC’s repeated requests for public comments have centered on whether the ETF should be listed under Nasdaq’s commodity-based trust shares rule. Similar delays have been applied to the Grayscale Polkadot ETF, reflecting a broader regulatory approach to standardizing the listing criteria for crypto ETFs [2].

Despite the regulatory uncertainty, market participants remain optimistic. Bloomberg analysts estimate a 90% probability of approval for both ETFs once the SEC completes its process. Analysts like James Seyffart suggest that the products are "pretty much ready to go" in the next couple of months, particularly given the existing regulated futures markets for HBAR and DOT [3]. This sentiment is echoed by Nate Geraci, co-founder of the ETF Institute, who expects the generic listing standards to be finalized by early October [4].

Market reactions to the delay have been largely positive. HBAR has seen a 1% increase over the past 24 hours, trading at $0.2206, while Polkadot has gained nearly 4%, reaching $4.03. Polkadot’s 24-hour trading volume has surged by 225%, indicating strong investor confidence. This resilience suggests that the delay is viewed as a procedural hurdle rather than a definitive rejection [5]. Analysts have also highlighted the potential for HBAR to rally more than 100% in the event of ETF approval, with price targets as high as $0.50 or even $1 [6].

The SEC’s cautious approach underscores its effort to ensure regulatory alignment as crypto products gain mainstream adoption. While the focus remains on establishing a uniform framework, the November 8 deadline serves as a key catalyst for both the market and investors. If the HBAR and DOT ETFs receive approval, it could signal the start of a broader wave of altcoin ETFs, further bridging the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrency markets [7].

Source:

[1] title1 (https://coingape.com/us-sec-delays-canary-hbar-and-grayscale-polkadot-etf-heres-why/)

[2] title2 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sec-pushes-back-decisions-hbar-104013632.html)

[3] title3 (https://coinpedia.org/news/sec-delays-decision-on-hbar-and-polkadot-etfs-until-november/)

[5] title5 (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/d4355-hbar-etf-approval-odds-hit-90percent-can-the-price-rally-from-here)

[6] title6 (https://coingape.com/markets/hbar-price-forecast-analyst-targets-123-rally-as-etf-approval-odds-hit-90/)