Bitwise Files Spot Dogecoin ETF, Eyes Auto-Approval by November

Bitwise Asset Management has taken a major step toward bringing Dogecoin into mainstream finance. The firm filed Form 8-A with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its spot Dogecoin ETF. If the SEC does not intervene, the ETF could automatically go live by November 26. That makes it the first of its kind in the market.

Bitwise Moves Toward Dogecoin ETF Launch

The filing marks the latest move in Bitwise’s expanding lineup of cryptocurrency investment products. According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, this type of filing signals that Bitwise intends for the fund to become effective within 20 days under the Securities Act’s Section 8(a) clause. This is a process that allows automatic approval unless the SEC objects.

The proposed Bitwise Dogecoin ETF will directly hold actual DOGE tokens, not futures contracts. It will trade under the ticker “DOGE” and feature an expense ratio of 0.95%. This will be waived to 0% for the first six months or until the fund reaches $1 billion in assets under management. This incentive aims to attract early institutional and retail investors. Those eager to gain regulated exposure to the world’s most famous meme coin.

Dogecoin Steps Into the Institutional Arena

Dogecoin, which started as an internet joke, now has a market capitalization of around $24 billion and trades near $0.16. The filing underscores how far the token has come since its meme-driven beginnings. It is driven by community hype and celebrity endorsements. Analysts and investors say the move signals a broader acceptance of memecoins in traditional finance. 

Influencers like Joe (@SelfSuccessSaga) noted that the filing proves Dogecoin is “no longer just jokes.” It is transforming into a “regulated asset class.” With institutions slowly embracing crypto beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. This filing could mark a major turning point for DOGE’s reputation.

Community Excitement and Market Speculation

Crypto enthusiasts quickly reacted across social media, calling it a historic step for the Dogecoin community. Many highlighted that if approved, the ETF would open new doors for institutional participation, something previously limited to larger assets. Others pointed out that Dogecoin remains 77% below its all-time high. Therefore, this suggests that an approved ETF could potentially drive new buying interest. Consequently, the possibility of a regulated DOGE product on Wall Street has fueled speculation about price movement in the coming weeks.

A New Era for Meme Assets

If Bitwise’s Dogecoin ETF becomes effective, it would follow the wave of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. That reshaped the crypto investment landscape in 2025. The filing also reflects growing confidence. That regulators are becoming more comfortable with diverse crypto assets entering the financial system. Whether the SEC intervenes or not, Bitwise’s bold move has already sparked major attention. This signals that meme coins, once seen as speculative jokes, are now knocking on the doors of Wall Street. Therefore, their status is changing.