21Shares Files for Spot Dogecoin ETF, Expanding the Field of Meme Coin Funds

The growing interest in bringing a spot Dogecoin ETF to the U.S. market just gained another major player. Crypto asset manager 21Shares has filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), joining Grayscale and Bitwise in the race to launch the first exchange-traded fund backed by DOGE.

The firm submitted its initial S-1 registration on Thursday. According to the filing, 21Shares will manage custody in partnership with Coinbase. Details such as the ETF’s ticker symbol, listing venue, and fee structure have not yet been finalized. The chosen exchange will eventually need to file a 19b-4 form with the SEC to officially start the review process and initiate a response deadline.

In a strategic move, 21Shares also announced a partnership with the Dogecoin Foundation’s commercial branch, House of Doge, which will support marketing efforts around the fund.

If approved, the ETF would mark the first U.S.-listed product tied to a meme cryptocurrency. While Dogecoin began as a satirical digital asset, it has evolved into a serious player in the crypto space—now boasting a $23 billion market cap and ranking as the ninth-largest cryptocurrency.

Dogecoin’s cultural relevance has also extended beyond markets. The coin even lent its name to the U.S. government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), currently led by Elon Musk.