Sui (SUI) has snapped a nearly two-week downtrend, finding bullish momentum after prominent crypto asset manager Bitwise took a decisive step toward launching a dedicated spot exchange-traded fund (ETF). The firm submitted a Form S-1 registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a “Bitwise Sui ETF.”
This proposed fund is designed to directly track the spot price of SUI, the native token of the high-throughput Sui Layer 1 blockchain. The filing represents a significant vote of confidence in the asset and marks a crucial initial phase in the lengthy regulatory approval pathway.
Understanding the ETF Approval Pathway
An S-1 filing is the formal opening act in the ETF application process. Following submission, the SEC typically provides initial comments within 30 days. The issuer must then address any regulatory feedback through amended filings until the application is deemed “effective,” clearing the way for trading on a national exchange.
Notably, this process may now be more streamlined. Under the SEC’s new Generic Listing Standards framework—a change explored in depth by Bloomberg ETF analysts—the review timeline for qualifying products can be as short as 75 days. This is a substantial reduction from the previous regime, which often required over 240 days due to individual exchange rule approvals.
A Crowded Field of Sui ETF Contenders
Bitwise is not alone in seeing potential in a Sui ETF. The current regulatory shift has spurred a wave of spot altcoin ETF proposals. Issuers including 21Shares, Grayscale, and Canary Capital have also filed for similar products. A landmark decision could come soon, as the SEC’s verdict on 21Shares’ spot SUI ETF application is due by December 21.
Interestingly, the SEC has already approved a leveraged Sui derivative product: the 21Shares 2x Long SUI ETF, which launched on Nasdaq in early December. This product offers amplified daily returns but does not hold underlying SUI tokens, differing fundamentally from a spot ETF. Additionally, Bitwise has already integrated SUI into its existing Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (traded on NYSE), highlighting the asset’s growing prominence in institutional portfolios.
SUI Price Reaction
The market reacted positively to the Bitwise news. SUI price, which had been declining since early December, rebounded from monthly lows near $1.33 on Thursday. At the time of writing, the token has appreciated approximately 4.5% from that support level, suggesting traders are pricing in the increased institutional exposure and legitimacy that a potential spot ETF would bring.
In summary: Sui’s price recovery is fueled by Bitwise’s spot ETF filing, a process potentially accelerated by new SEC standards. With multiple filings in play and a key decision deadline for 21Shares looming, SUI is firmly in the spotlight of the expanding crypto ETF landscape.