The U.S. launch of spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), initially set for July 2, is now delayed due to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting additional information on resubmitted S-1 forms. This delay is expected to push the launch to mid-to-late July.

Bloomberg ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart reported the new timeline proposed by the SEC. The S-1 forms allow the SEC flexibility in the timing of receipt, review, and approval. This delay comes after the SEC accepted issuers' 19b-4 forms in May, marking the first phase of the ETF launch process.

Nate Geraci, president of ETF Store, mentioned that recent revisions to the S-1 forms were minor and expected the SEC to approve trading within two to three weeks. While the SEC suggested a summer launch, no specific dates were given.

In early June, Balchunas had forecasted a July launch due to the SEC's lack of substantial comments on the submitted S-1 forms. SEC Chair Gary Gensler noted the approval process was progressing smoothly and highlighted a rule change that allows issuers like BlackRock, Fidelity, 21Shares, Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, iShares, and Invesco to participate. However, Gensler also indicated that the Ether ETFs might not debut on stock exchanges until September, depending on the applicants' responses.