Grayscale Files for First U.S. Spot BNB ETF Registration
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1h ago
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Source: Coinmarketcap
- Filing Submission: Grayscale officially filed an S-1 registration statement for a spot BNB ETF with the SEC on January 23, 2026, marking a significant step in its 2026 altcoin expansion strategy aimed at providing investors with direct price exposure to BNB.
- Product Structure and Access: The proposed ETF is designed to track BNB price performance, allowing access through traditional brokerage and institutional platforms without requiring on-chain custody or interaction with crypto exchanges, thereby lowering investment barriers.
- Increased Market Competition: Alongside the BNB ETF filing, Grayscale also filed to convert its NEAR Trust into a spot ETF on January 21, 2026, demonstrating its aggressive expansion into altcoins and competing directly with traditional asset managers like VanEck.
- Regulatory Challenges and Market Impact: While the S-1 filing represents a major milestone, the SEC's scrutiny over altcoin classification risks, market surveillance, and liquidity frameworks remains stringent, and if approved, it would further institutionalize the crypto market.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
