Altcoins Could Surge If October 2025 ETFs Receive Approval

The crypto market is awaiting a pivotal decision from U.S. regulators (SEC) regarding the approval of altcoin-based Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). If the green light is given this October, several digital assets are expected to post significant gains, potentially delivering a major surprise for investors.

October: A Crucial Month for Crypto ETFs

October 2025 has become a defining moment for 16 spot crypto ETF applications currently under SEC review. Among the key projects on the list are Solana (SOL), XRP, Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA).

Several deadlines have already been set: the Litecoin ETF (Canary) on October 2, Solana and Litecoin trust conversions on October 10, and WisdomTree’s XRP ETF decision on October 24.

Analysts suggest that SOL and LTC may have higher chances of early approval, thanks to the adoption of universal listing standards that streamline verification. However, political dynamics, including the potential U.S. government shutdown, could still affect the timing of these announcements.

Strongest Candidates: Solana and Cardano

Among the altcoins, Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) stand out as the most promising candidates:

• Solana (SOL): With its rapidly expanding DeFi and NFT ecosystem, SOL is seen as having a solid foundation of utility. If approved in October, a Solana ETF could attract substantial institutional inflows.

• Cardano (ADA): Grayscale’s Cardano ETF application is scheduled for a final decision on October 26. If approved, analysts believe ADA could break through the psychological $1.00 level, with further upside potential if market sentiment remains supportive.

Meanwhile, other altcoins such as XRP, Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) also remain on investors’ watchlists ahead of the ETF rulings.

Potential Upside and Risks

Approval of altcoin ETFs is expected to deliver three key impacts:

1. Increased institutional inflows, as ETFs are more familiar and accessible investment vehicles compared to direct crypto purchases.

2. Enhanced market liquidity, strengthening the trading depth of related tokens.

3. Greater investor confidence, as SEC approval adds a layer of legitimacy to altcoins.

However, analysts caution that not all outcomes will be explosive. Institutional investors are more likely to diversify portfolios rather than concentrate heavily on a single asset. Additional regulatory hurdles, delayed decisions, or broader global market conditions could also limit price growth.

Outlook

October 2025 could mark a turning point for the altcoin market. Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) are viewed as the strongest candidates to experience a price breakout if their ETFs secure approval. Still, investors must remain alert to the possibility of sharp corrections should the SEC delay or reject these applications.

The question now is whether October will become a month of surprises for altcoins or the start of a new consolidation phase.