- VanEck filed for an Avalanche (AVAX) ETF with the SEC on April 8, aiming to list it on Nasdaq—this could be one of the first altcoin ETFs in the U.S. outside of BTC and ETH.
- AVAX price is hovering around $18, with resistance near $20; the ETF news has reignited bullish interest and could push prices toward $25 if momentum holds.
- SEC approval remains uncertain, but if it goes through, it could open the floodgates for more altcoin ETFs and bring traditional investors deeper into the altcoin space.
Okay, so here’s the deal — VanEck, one of the big names in asset management, just made a bold move. They’ve officially filed with the SEC to launch an Avalanche (AVAX) ETF on the Nasdaq. Yep, you read that right. If this thing gets the green light, it could be one of the first altcoin ETFs in the U.S. outside of the Bitcoin and Ethereum crowd.
Let’s break down what this really means (and why it matters).
VanEck Makes It Official
On April 8, VanEck filed what’s called a Form 19b-4 through Nasdaq. This is basically the paperwork that kicks off the process to list a new ETF. Their proposed product — the VanEck Avalanche ETF — would track the performance of AVAX, the native token of the Avalanche blockchain.
It falls under Nasdaq Rule 5711(d), which (if you’re curious) covers commodity-based trust shares. Pretty standard stuff for ETFs.
Now, here’s the catch: The SEC hasn’t acknowledged the filing yet. And even when they do, it kicks off a 90-day review window where they decide whether to approve or reject it. They’ll be looking at investor protection, risk, and whether the fund follows all the regulatory rules.
What’s interesting is that VanEck already runs an Avalanche ETN in Europe with a 1.50% annual fee. So, it’s not their first rodeo — and it could give us an idea of what the U.S. version might look like cost-wise.
If this goes through, investors could get exposure to AVAX without ever touching a crypto wallet. Pretty big deal.
AVAX Price Action: Holding the Line?
Avalanche has had a rocky road. Back in November 2021, it was flying high at around $146 during the bull market.
Then the crash happened. Like, a real one — the token dipped under $10 during the long 2022-2023 bear stretch. But while price was dropping, the Avalanche team didn’t stop building. Fast-forward to 2025, and we’ve started to see some bounce.
At the time of writing, AVAX is trading around $18. It’s down a bit — about 1.72% in the last day — but it’s been mostly above that level all week. The key ceiling right now? $20. That’s the resistance it just can’t seem to shake… yet.
Traders are eyeing a breakout above $25 as a real sign of a new rally. Momentum was cooling off recently, but this ETF news has brought the bulls back into the room.
What Are the Odds of Approval?
Let’s be real: so far, the SEC has only said “yes” to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. That’s it. They’re still sitting on applications for Solana, XRP, and now, AVAX.
But this VanEck move matters. It could be a turning point if the ETF is approved — especially since they’re using the same process that worked for BTC ETFs.
The regulators are cautious, yeah, but the more these filings stack up, the more pressure builds to start opening doors beyond just BTC and ETH.
If this AVAX ETF gets the go-ahead? We could see a ripple effect for other altcoins, not just Avalanche.
Final Thoughts
VanEck’s Avalanche ETF filing could be more than just a one-off headline. It might signal a real shift — a moment where altcoins start getting real Wall Street exposure. And for AVAX, it could be the catalyst that sends it flying past $20… maybe even toward a bigger breakout.
Still speculative? Of course. But in crypto, that’s half the game. And right now, Avalanche is one to watch.
