The US SEC approved universal listing standards for commodity trust shares, relaxing the listing process for digital asset ETFs.

On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted to approve a rule change proposed by three national securities exchanges to adopt a universal listing standard for exchange-traded products (ETFs) holding physical commodities, including digital assets.

Under Section 19(b) of the Securities Exchange Act, these exchanges can list commodity trust units that meet the requirements of the approved universal listing standard without first submitting a proposed rule change to the SEC.

“By approving these universal listing standards, we are ensuring our capital markets remain the best place for the world to participate in cutting-edge innovation in digital assets,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins.

“This approval helps maximize investor choice and foster innovation by streamlining the listing process and lowering barriers to accessing digital asset products in the United States’ trusted capital markets.”

“The Commission’s approval of universal listing standards provides much-needed regulatory clarity and certainty to the investment community by enabling a sound, rules-based approach to bringing products to market while ensuring investor protection,” said Jamie Selway, Director of the Division of Trading and Markets.

In addition to approving universal listing standards for commodity-based trust units, the Commission also approved the listing and trading of the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, which holds spot digital assets based on the CoinDesk 5 Index.

The Commission also approved the listing and trading of PM-settled options on the CBOE Bitcoin US ETF Index and the Mini CBOE Bitcoin US ETF Index, with expirations that include third Fridays, non-standard expiration dates, and quarterly index expiration dates.