Bitwise Files for Spot Dogecoin ETF Aiming for November Approval

TLDR

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Bitwise filed for a spot Dogecoin ETF under SEC’s automatic approval process.
The proposed Dogecoin ETF could be live by November 26, 2025, pending SEC approval.
The ETF will hold actual DOGE tokens and charge a 0.95% expense ratio.
Dogecoin’s market cap is around $24 billion, signaling increasing institutional interest.

Bitwise Asset Management has taken a notable step toward integrating Dogecoin into traditional finance with its filing for a spot Dogecoin ETF. The firm has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Form 8-A, which could lead to an automatic approval process. If there is no SEC intervention, the ETF could be live by November 26, 2025. This filing signals the growing acceptance of meme coins like Dogecoin in mainstream finance.

Bitwise’s Strategic Move and the SEC Approval Process

Bitwise Asset Management filed for the spot Dogecoin ETF under Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, which allows for automatic approval unless the SEC objects. This filing has the potential to expedite the launch of the ETF, with an approval deadline set for November 26, 2025.

According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, the Section 8(a) clause is designed to approve filings quickly, meaning that Bitwise expects the ETF to go live unless the SEC intervenes.

The ETF will directly hold actual Dogecoin tokens, not futures contracts, which distinguishes it from other crypto ETFs that typically rely on derivative assets. The proposed Dogecoin ETF will be available under the ticker symbol “DOGE,” and it will charge an expense ratio of 0.95%. To attract initial investors, Bitwise will waive this fee for the first six months or until the fund reaches $1 billion in assets under management.

Dogecoin Moves Toward Institutional Acceptance

The Dogecoin token, originally launched as a meme, has evolved into a market player with a valuation of approximately $24 billion. The Bitwise filing marks a shift in how Dogecoin is perceived, indicating that the token is gaining acceptance as a more established asset. The filing reflects a broader trend of increased institutional interest in digital assets outside of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Experts in the crypto space, such as Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas, have noted that this move shows a growing level of confidence in meme coins becoming more widely accepted in institutional and regulated investment frameworks. Analysts have also pointed out that the approval of a Dogecoin ETF could open doors for traditional finance to engage with a token that was once mostly associated with online communities and social media hype.

What This Means for Dogecoin’s Price and Market Dynamics

If the SEC allows the Bitwise Dogecoin ETF to proceed, it could increase institutional participation in the Dogecoin market. The approval of a regulated Dogecoin product could lead to higher levels of investment and trading volume, potentially impacting the price of DOGE. Despite being 77% below its all-time high, Dogecoin’s entry into a regulated market could bring renewed attention and speculative interest to the token.

Crypto enthusiasts and market analysts alike have been discussing how the approval of the Dogecoin ETF could influence market dynamics. Some believe that the fund could attract both institutional and retail investors, who have previously been hesitant to engage with Dogecoin due to its association with meme culture and volatility. The approval of a regulated ETF could change this perception and help stabilize the market for DOGE.

A Shift in Perception of Meme Coins

Dogecoin’s potential inclusion in a regulated ETF is a clear indicator of the changing landscape for meme coins in the broader financial ecosystem. Once regarded as a speculative and volatile asset class, Dogecoin is now on the verge of gaining a more structured and institutionalized role in global markets.

If the ETF is approved, it will follow the footsteps of other cryptocurrency ETFs, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs, which have reshaped how digital assets are viewed and traded. The approval of Dogecoin would further normalize the inclusion of non-Bitcoin and non-Ethereum assets in traditional investment portfolios, signaling that meme coins are becoming a more accepted part of the crypto investment landscape.