T. Rowe Price has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch its first cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF), marking the $1.77 trillion asset manager’s long-awaited entry into digital assets.
The actively managed ETF would offer exposure to five to fifteen cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, solana, dogecoin, and Shiba Inu, according to the filing. Portfolio managers would aim to outperform the FTSE Crypto US Listed Index, using a mix of fundamental, valuation, and momentum-based analysis to decide which assets to hold and how to weight them.
“This is a surprise move for such a late entrant,” said Bryan Armour, ETF analyst at Morningstar. “But T. Rowe Price appears to be targeting something differentiated to stand out in a crowded space.”
While dozens of asset managers have raced to launch single-coin ETFs, multi-asset crypto funds remain rare due to regulatory complexity and the volatility of altcoins. If approved, the T. Rowe Price fund would be among the first diversified crypto ETFs in the U.S.
The filing underscores T. Rowe’s efforts to diversify beyond traditional mutual funds, which have suffered persistent outflows. The firm has introduced 24 ETFs in recent years and recently partnered with Goldman Sachs to develop new private market products for retail investors. As part of the deal, Goldman plans to buy up to 3.5% of T. Rowe’s shares, an investment that could exceed $1 billion.
T. Rowe has been quietly building its digital asset expertise, hiring Blue Macellari, a former crypto hedge fund executive, as head of digital assets strategy in 2022.
ETF industry experts said the launch reflects a broader institutional shift. “It’s exciting to see T. Rowe expand beyond equities and bonds,” said Todd Rosenbluth of VettaFi.
However, the timing remains uncertain. The SEC faces a government shutdown that has slowed approvals, despite new listing standards paving the way for multi-coin ETFs.
If approved, the T. Rowe Price crypto ETF could signal a new era of mainstream digital asset investing from one of America’s most established financial firms.