A recent slump in AI-linked cryptocurrency tokens has sparked interest among crypto investors. Fire Hustle, an on-chain market analyst, attributes this downturn to retail capitulation within the crypto bubble.
The current sell-off is not due to the technology itself but rather who is allowed to buy exposure. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards for cryptocurrency exchange-traded products in September 2025, reducing the approval process from 240 days to around 75 days.
This regulatory shift could open the door to more than 100 new crypto ETFs in the U.S., giving pension funds, wealth managers, and other institutions a way into the market without directly interacting with wallets or exchanges. This shift in access points may overshadow traditional crypto cycle narratives.