Analysis: The US government may shut down, and new crypto ETF approvals may be temporarily blocked

If Congress fails to pass the budget on time, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) will only operate with a streamlined staff from Wednesday, possibly delaying the approval of new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While the SEC approved common listing criteria for spot crypto ETFs this month to speed up the process, most operations, including those responsible for ETF approval, will be suspended during the government shutdown. Industry insiders expect the approval delay to be temporary, and crypto ETF approval will continue after the government returns to normal. President Trump said at the White House on Tuesday that the federal government "may" face a shutdown.