- T. Rowe Price officially files with the SEC to launch the first-ever U.S. Shiba Inu ETF.
- LucieSHIB hails T. Rowe Price’s ETF filing as “big news” for the entire Shiba Inu community.
- Shiba Inu drops 6% in price while daily trading volume climbs sharply above $234 million.
In a bold move that blends traditional finance with digital assets, T. Rowe Price has officially submitted a Form S-1 filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The global investment manager, which oversees more than $1.7 trillion, plans to launch an Active Crypto ETF that includes Shiba Inu (SHIB) among its holdings.
If the proposal receives regulatory approval, the fund would become the first U.S. Spot ETF to include SHIB—a significant moment for a token once viewed purely as a meme. The ETF aims to outperform the FTSE Crypto U.S. Listed Index, a benchmark that tracks the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Unlike static index funds, this one will be actively managed, allowing its managers the flexibility to rebalance assets in response to market shifts. The filing outlines a portfolio that could hold anywhere from five to fifteen cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, XRP, and Cardano, while leaving room for adjustments as liquidity and volatility change.
Shiba Inu Gains Institutional Ground
The inclusion of Shiba Inu marks a defining moment for the token’s move into institutional finance. If the ETF is approved, T. Rowe Price will purchase and hold SHIB, giving institutional investors a regulated entry point to gain exposure to the digital asset.
Ecosystem figure LucieSHIB called the news “big for SHIB,” noting that inclusion alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum elevates the project’s profile beyond retail circles. The document also acknowledges several parts of the ecosystem—LEASH, BONE, TREAT, and platforms such as Shibarium and ShibaSwap—illustrating how far the network has evolved from its early meme roots.
Analysts suggest that the listing could draw fresh institutional inflows, potentially boosting both demand and daily trading volume. For context, SHIB already has a European exchange-traded product (ETP) through Valour, but this would be its first appearance in a U.S.-based ETF filing—a move that signals growing legitimacy for the project.
ETF Momentum Builds Despite Government Gridlock
The timing of T. Rowe Price’s filing coincides with a surge in crypto ETF activity on Wall Street. Even amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, several funds have gone live in recent weeks, including Bitwise’s Solana ETF (BSOL) and Grayscale’s GSOL.
Under SEC rules, certain ETFs can automatically become active 20 days after submission, giving early entrants an advantage. Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence have stated that this technical window could expedite ETF approvals, potentially fueling rapid growth across the digital asset sector.
Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley praised the trend, saying the SEC’s evolving stance shows that digital assets are becoming part of mainstream investment strategy. He added that investor interest is shifting toward more diverse exposure beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The two leading crypto ETFs already manage over $170 billion in assets, and firms are now exploring tokens like SHIB to expand their market reach.
Market Response and Investor Activity
Despite the excitement, Shiba Inu’s price has slipped slightly in recent trading. Data from CoinMarketCap shows SHIB down roughly 6% over the last 24 hours, hovering near $0.00000974. The decline extends a week-long drop of about 5% and a 17% slide over the past month.
However, daily trading activity tells a different story. Volume has jumped above $234 million, a surge of over 50% in one day—evidence that market participants remain deeply engaged. Analysts interpret this as a sign that, while price action remains cautious, interest and liquidity are strengthening, possibly in anticipation of institutional participation.
If approved, the T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF would represent more than just another product launch. It would signify the entry of Shiba Inu into regulated investment portfolios, moving it from internet culture to institutional finance. For investors, it’s a signal that the boundaries between old and new markets are fading—and that digital assets like SHIB are here to stay.
