Record Surge: Mentions of Cryptocurrency in SEC Filings Reach New Heights

In April, the number of times «cryptocurrency» was mentioned in filings to the SEC surged to an all-time high of 786. This represents a 38% increase month-over-month and an 8% rise year-over-year, according to a report by The Block.

From January 2024 to March 2025, the average monthly mentions stood at 457.

This notable spike suggests a heightened interest from federal agencies in digital assets. The publication also highlighted efforts to refine the regulatory framework surrounding the cryptocurrency sector.

In addition to cryptocurrencies, references to stablecoins have also increased. From January 2024 to January 2025, these tokens were mentioned an average of 48 times per month, while from February to April 2025, this figure rose to 103—81 mentions in February, 124 in March, and 104 in April.

This growth reflects an increased scrutiny from regulators regarding the reserve standards for stablecoins and consumer protection rights. Should these measures be formalized, it could bolster trust and further adoption of cryptocurrencies, as noted by The Block.

On May 5, the SEC extended the review period for a proposal regarding the launch of a Litecoin-based ETF submitted by Canary.

The agency has solicited public comments on preventing fraudulent and manipulative practices.

According to Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart, the LTC-ETF has the best chances for approval, albeit after some time.

On May 2, investment firm VanEck submitted a proposal for listing and trading an ETF based on BNB, which includes a staking option.

Currently, the regulator is reviewing over 70 applications for the launch of ETFs based on various altcoins.

In January, CBOE on behalf of ARK Invest and 21Shares submitted a proposal to amend the structure of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs to allow for the physical redemption of assets.

It is worth noting that in February, the SEC took up NYSE Arca’s application to include Ethereum staking in the Grayscale ETF. Around the same time, a similar proposal was submitted by the Chicago Board Options Exchange for a product from 21Shares.

In January, ConsenSys founder Joe Lubin mentioned that issuers of spot ETH-ETFs in the U.S. are hopeful for the SEC’s «swift» approval of staking.