T. Rowe Price Seeks Approval for Active Crypto ETF Featuring Bitcoin Amid Shutdown Delays

T. Rowe Price has filed with the SEC for an actively managed T. Rowe Price crypto ETF, marking its entry into digital assets with exposure to up to 15 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ether. This fund aims to outperform benchmarks through active selection based on fundamentals and momentum, amid delays from the U.S. government shutdown.

• T. Rowe Price, managing $1.77 trillion in assets, surprises analysts with its first multi-asset crypto ETF filing.

• The fund will track 5-15 eligible cryptocurrencies meeting SEC standards, beyond just market cap leaders.

• Approval timelines remain uncertain due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown lasting over three weeks, delaying multiple ETF decisions.

Discover T. Rowe Price’s bold move into crypto with its new actively managed ETF filing. Gain exposure to top digital assets like Bitcoin and Solana. Stay ahead in the evolving crypto market—explore investment opportunities today.

What is the T. Rowe Price Crypto ETF?

The T. Rowe Price crypto ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with diversified exposure to a basket of cryptocurrencies. Filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it represents the firm’s first foray into offering a multi-asset digital currency product in the U.S. The fund will select between five and fifteen cryptocurrencies based on SEC listing requirements, focusing on assets like Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Litecoin, Avalanche, Hedera, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Stellar, Chainlink, and Shiba Inu.

How Does the Fund Select Its Cryptocurrencies?

The T. Rowe Price crypto ETF employs an active management strategy to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index. Fund managers evaluate cryptocurrencies using criteria such as fundamentals, valuation, and momentum, rather than relying solely on market capitalization. This approach allows for dynamic allocation, adjusting holdings to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the digital asset space. According to the SEC filing, eligible assets must comply with established listing standards to ensure regulatory adherence and investor protection.

Industry observers note that this differentiated strategy sets the fund apart from passive, single-asset ETFs dominating recent filings. Morningstar analyst Bryan Armour highlighted that traditional firms like T. Rowe Price are seeking innovative niches amid ongoing outflows from mutual funds, which totaled significant billions in recent years. Armour emphasized the pressure on asset managers to diversify into high-growth areas like cryptocurrencies to attract new capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cryptocurrencies will the T. Rowe Price crypto ETF include?

The T. Rowe Price crypto ETF will potentially include up to 15 digital assets that meet SEC listing rules, such as Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Litecoin, Avalanche, Hedera, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Stellar, Chainlink, and Shiba Inu. Selections prioritize quality and performance metrics for optimal portfolio construction.

Why is the approval of the T. Rowe Price crypto ETF delayed?

Approval for the T. Rowe Price crypto ETF faces delays due to the U.S. government shutdown, now exceeding three weeks, which has halted SEC operations on several applications. Economic adviser Kevin Hassett indicated the shutdown could resolve soon, potentially clearing the path for decisions on pending crypto ETF filings.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government is still shutdown, which has delayed several crypto ETF approvals and left companies waiting for decisions.

T. Rowe Price has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch an actively managed crypto exchange-traded fund. This is the first time the firm will offer a product tied to multiple digital assets at once in the country.

The firm, which manages about $1.77 to $1.8 trillion in assets, is seeking approval this week in the United States and this is a surprise to analysts who did not expect the filing from this location at this time because of the government shutdown.

A Traditional Giant Jumps Into Digital Coins

According to the SEC filing, the new fund will give investors exposure to between five and fifteen different cryptocurrencies, as long as they meet requirements that follow SEC listing rules. These coins eligible for the fund include Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Litecoin, Avalanche, Hedera, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Stellar, Chainlink, and Shiba Inu.

A company spokesman explained that the fund aims to beat the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index by looking at factors such as fundamentals, valuation, and momentum when deciding which assets to hold and how much of each to include. The filing also states that decisions will not be based only on market size.

Industry Experts React With Surprise

Some analysts reacted with surprise because T. Rowe Price has been known for being conservative and focused heavily on mutual funds over its eighty-seven-year history.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas described the move as a “SEMI-SHOCK,” suggesting it signals a rush for market share in digital assets.

SEMI-SHOCK: T Rowe Price just filed for an Active Crypto ETF. They are a Top 5 active manager by assets (mostly mutual funds). Did not expect it but I get it. There’s gonna be land rush for this space too. pic.twitter.com/gXbCsll9kG

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) October 22, 2025

ETFs Approval Still Delayed Amid Government Shutdown

Most new ETF filings in recent months focus on just one coin, so an actively managed fund with many coins is still uncommon. Morningstar analyst Bryan Armour said the firm is planning “something differentiated to try and break into the space,” while noting that many investors still want new options. Armour also stated that the company is “looking for new niches” because outflows from mutual funds continue, causing pressure to diversify.

Meanwhile, Approval timelines are unclear because several crypto ETF applications have been delayed by a U.S. government shutdown, which has now lasted over three weeks.Recently, Kevin Hassett, an economic adviser to the U.S. President Donald Trump said the shutdown “likely to end sometime this week.”

Key Takeaways

• T. Rowe Price’s Entry into Crypto: The filing for an actively managed ETF underscores the firm’s strategic pivot toward digital assets, leveraging its $1.77 trillion asset base for innovation.
• Diversified Exposure: Unlike single-asset funds, this ETF will hold 5-15 cryptocurrencies selected via rigorous criteria, aiming to outperform benchmarks.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Investors should monitor the U.S. government shutdown’s resolution, as it impacts SEC approvals and could accelerate market access to new crypto products.

Conclusion

T. Rowe Price’s filing for its crypto ETF highlights the accelerating integration of traditional finance with digital assets, offering investors diversified access to leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Solana under active management. As regulatory clarity emerges post-shutdown, this move could catalyze broader adoption. Financial advisors recommend evaluating such funds within a balanced portfolio to navigate the volatile yet promising crypto landscape.