The US government shutdown, now in its third week as of October 2025, is likely to end this week, according to White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, potentially restarting stalled crypto regulatory efforts including ETF approvals for altcoins like Litecoin and Solana.
Shutdown delay: The budget standoff has postponed decisions on multiple cryptocurrency ETF applications, marking the third longest shutdown in US history.
Optimism from advisers: Kevin Hassett predicts moderate Democrats will resolve the impasse, allowing negotiations on crypto policies to resume.
Regulatory outlook: Post-shutdown, discussions on Bitcoin reserves and market structure bills could advance, with a 71% chance per prediction markets of extension beyond 30 days.
Discover how the impending end of the US government shutdown could boost crypto regulation in 2025. Explore ETF delays and policy progress—stay informed on Bitcoin and altcoin developments today.
How Will the End of the US Government Shutdown Impact Crypto Regulation?
The US government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, and has lasted three weeks, is expected to conclude sometime this week, paving the way for renewed progress in crypto regulation. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett shared this outlook during a CNBC interview, noting that moderate Democrats are likely to push for reopening the government. This resolution could enable the resumption of key regulatory activities, including reviews of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and broader market structure discussions, which have been on hold amid the budgetary dispute.
What Has the US Government Shutdown Delayed in Altcoin ETF Approvals?
The ongoing US government shutdown has significantly disrupted the cryptocurrency sector by stalling applications for ETFs tied to altcoins such as Litecoin (LTC), XRP, and Solana (SOL). These filings, pending with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), require final decisions that federal operations must facilitate, but the budget impasse—now the third longest in US history at over 20 days—has frozen such processes. According to official SEC data, similar delays during past shutdowns extended approval timelines by weeks, impacting investor confidence and market liquidity. Industry experts, including those from major exchanges, have highlighted that resuming normal operations could lead to faster evaluations, potentially greenlighting these products by early 2026 and fostering greater institutional adoption of digital assets.
Source: CNBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the US Government Shutdown Resolution Accelerate Bitcoin Reserve Legislation?
In mid-September 2025, US lawmakers convened with industry leaders, including Michael Saylor of Strategy, to explore the Trump administration’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve initiative. The shutdown has paused follow-up actions on the BITCOIN Act sponsored by Senator Cynthia Lummis, which aims to enable budget-neutral Bitcoin acquisitions for national reserves. Once resolved, this could expedite congressional debates, potentially integrating Bitcoin into federal asset strategies within the next fiscal year, as per discussions emphasizing fiscal responsibility.
Are Democratic Lawmakers Continuing Crypto Discussions During the Shutdown?
Yes, despite the federal standstill, Democratic Senators plan a roundtable this Wednesday with executives from Coinbase, Circle, Ripple, and other firms to advance a proposed US crypto market structure bill. This meeting focuses on creating a balanced regulatory framework for digital assets, addressing issues like stablecoins and token classifications. Such efforts demonstrate bipartisan interest in crypto innovation, even as broader government functions remain halted, and could inform post-shutdown policy refinements for seamless integration into the financial system.
Odds on whether the US government shutdown will last longer than 30 days or not. Source: Polymarket
Key Takeaways
- Imminent Resolution: White House adviser Kevin Hassett, a known crypto advocate with over $1 million in Coinbase holdings, forecasts the shutdown’s end this week, possibly through Democratic concessions.
- ETF and Policy Delays: The standoff has halted SEC reviews for LTC, XRP, and SOL ETFs, alongside talks on Bitcoin reserves, underscoring crypto’s vulnerability to fiscal disruptions.
- Prediction Market Insights: Platforms like Polymarket indicate a 71% probability of the shutdown extending past October 31, 2025, urging investors to monitor developments closely for market volatility.
Conclusion
As the US government shutdown approaches its potential resolution this week, the crypto sector stands to benefit from reactivated crypto regulation processes, including altcoin ETF approvals and advancements in market structure bills. Drawing from insights by experts like Kevin Hassett and official SEC statistics, this development could stabilize and innovate the digital asset landscape. COINOTAG, as your trusted source for cryptocurrency news, encourages readers to track these updates—published October 21, 2025, and last updated same day—for opportunities in Bitcoin and beyond as policy momentum builds toward a more inclusive financial future.