T. Rowe Price Introduces New Active Crypto ETF with Broad Digital Asset Coverage
March 17, 2026
T. Rowe Price is making significant strides towards entering the digital asset market by filing an active crypto ETF with the SEC that has the potential to include up to 15 different digital assets, including popular options like Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu. This move signifies the Baltimore-based investment firm’s interest and commitment to navigating the evolving landscape of digital assets.
In an amended S-1 registration statement submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, T. Rowe Price outlined crucial details about its upcoming Price Active Crypto ETF. The revised filing, an extension of the original application made in October 2024, sheds light on the potential cryptocurrencies that the fund may invest in, clarifies custody arrangements, and hints at future staking activities.
The ETF has an extensive list of potential holdings, spanning across fifteen digital assets. Among the cryptocurrencies listed are well-known names like Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, and Cardano, as well as meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. However, it is essential to note that the fund will not hold all of these assets simultaneously. The plan is to maintain between five and fifteen cryptocurrencies in the portfolio under normal operating conditions.
Setting itself apart from spot Bitcoin ETFs that emerged in the United States in January 2024, T. Rowe Price’s fund will be actively managed. This means that the portfolio managers will use quantitative models that analyze market fundamentals, asset valuation, and momentum signals to make strategic allocation decisions with the goal of surpassing the FTSE US Listed Crypto Index.
The fund’s structure allows for flexibility, unlike passive products that merely track a single asset. Portfolio managers will have the liberty to rotate holdings based on changing market dynamics, ensuring that the fund remains adaptable and responsive to evolving conditions.
Anchorage Digital Bank N.A. will play a crucial role as the custodian for the fund’s crypto assets, ensuring the safekeeping of all tokens held within the ETF. Initially, the fund will operate on a cash creation and redemption model, meaning that investors will transact in cash when buying or selling ETF shares, rather than dealing with cryptocurrencies directly.
While the fund’s structure may evolve over time, with the potential for transitioning to an in-kind redemption model where shares are exchanged directly for digital assets, one significant development to monitor is the possibility of staking. The fund could engage in staking on relevant blockchain networks in the future, a process that involves locking up tokens to validate transactions and earn rewards. However, any staking activities would be subject to risk assessments, tax considerations, and regulatory guidance before implementation.
