Top 5 Altcoins to Watch Ahead of SEC ETF Rulings This October 2025

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October has long been a pivotal month for cryptocurrencies, and in 2025, the spotlight is on altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With clustered deadlines at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), projects like Cardano, Ripple’s XRP, Solana, Chainlink, and Stellar are preparing for decisions that could reshape institutional adoption of digital assets.

Cardano ETF Decision on October 26, 2025

Cardano is approaching a defining moment as the SEC faces its final deadline on Grayscale’s Cardano ETF application. The ruling is due on October 26, 2025, with no further extensions possible.

ADA Price is trading around $0.79 with a market capitalization of nearly $29 billion, far from its all-time high of $3.09. If approved, the ETF could channel institutional inflows into Cardano, potentially fueling a breakout above the $0.83–$0.84 resistance zone. Technical traders are eyeing the $1 mark as the next major target if bullish momentum takes hold.

Ripple’s XRP Braces for Multiple ETF Rulings

Ripple’s XRP faces an unusually busy October, with six ETF filings under review between October 18 and 24 from firms including Grayscale, 21Shares, Bitwise, CoinShares, Canary Capital, and WisdomTree.

XRP is priced near $2.85 with a $170 billion market cap. Market structure shows key support at $2.75; holding above this level may allow bulls to push past the $2.81 barrier and target $3.62. However, a break below $2.70 risks deeper downside toward $2.00. 

Historically, October has been slightly bearish for XRP, but the fourth quarter has delivered strong average gains. ETF approval could provide the catalyst to extend its rally into year-end.

Solana ETF Decisions Between October 10–16

Solana will kick off October’s ETF season as five applications, including those from Grayscale, VanEck, and Bitwise, face SEC deadlines between October 10 and 16.

SOL trades around $26.90 with a market cap of $112 billion. Analysts argue that successful ETF approval would make Solana the third major blockchain after Bitcoin and Ethereum to achieve this milestone. Such recognition could accelerate institutional adoption and set long-term targets in the $800–$1,000 range. For now, technical traders are watching whether SOL can hold above $191 to confirm its bullish structure.

Chainlink Strengthens Institutional Partnerships Ahead of ETF Ruling

Chainlink does not have an October deadline but remains a major contender in the ETF race, with filings from Grayscale and Bitwise expected to reach final decisions before the end of 2025.

Currently trading near $21.90, LINK has been expanding its institutional footprint through partnerships with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Supporters argue that these developments position Chainlink as one of the strongest candidates for ETF approval, with current price levels seen as a long-term accumulation zone.

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Stellar Eyes Fast-Track ETF Review

Stellar is also on the ETF radar, with two pending applications. One, under the Hasht NASDAQ Crypto Index U.S. ETF, is already being reviewed under the SEC’s fast-track 75-day process, while Grayscale has also submitted a filing for a Stellar ETF on the NYSE.

XLM trades around $0.36 with a market capitalization of $11.6 billion after gaining 275 percent over the past year. An approved ETF could boost liquidity further and cement Stellar’s role as a top institutional-grade digital asset heading into 2026.

With ETF decisions clustered across multiple leading projects, October 2025 has the potential to become a landmark month for the altcoin market.