21Shares Launches Cronos ETP as U.S. Investor Demand for Altcoin Exposure Grows

May 7, 2025. In a move that highlights the rising demand for diversified crypto investment options, 21Shares has introduced a new exchange-traded product (ETP) that tracks the price of Cronos (CRO), offering U.S. investors regulated access to the rapidly evolving blockchain asset.

The Switzerland-based asset manager officially rolled out the Cronos ETP on Tuesday, expanding its portfolio of crypto investment products. This new offering provides exposure to Cronos Crypto.com’s native token, without requiring investors to directly purchase or store the digital asset. According to the firm’s public statement, the ETP is designed to simplify access to the Cronos blockchain, which is actively driving adoption across decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 applications.

“By launching a Cronos ETP, we are offering investors easy, regulated exposure to a blockchain ecosystem that is driving real-world adoption and pioneering the future of Web3,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares.

What Is Cronos?

Cronos (CRO) is a next-generation altcoin developed by Crypto.com to serve as a foundational token for interacting with decentralized applications (dApps), digital collectibles, and other Web3 services. The blockchain is designed to be compatible with both the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and Cosmos SDK, ensuring cross-chain functionality and broader ecosystem access.

At the time of writing, CRO is trading at $0.08636, reflecting a 1.54% dip in the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

A Broader Shift Toward Altcoin-Based Funds

The launch of the Cronos ETP comes amid a growing trend among financial institutions to introduce altcoin-based investment products. With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showing increased openness to digital asset innovation, fund issuers are ramping up applications for ETFs and ETPs linked to leading cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs, which gained approval in 2024, now collectively manage over $100 billion in assets, while Ethereum-focused funds control more than $7 billion in assets under management (AUM), as reported by CoinGlass. Inspired by this success, issuers are expanding their focus to include tokens like Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), Sui, and now Cronos.

Cronos Gains Momentum with Institutions and Policymakers

Cronos is increasingly catching the attention of institutional investors. In March 2025, Trump Media & Technology Group, the financial technology company founded by former U.S. President Donald Trump, announced plans to launch a series of ETFs, including products tied to the price of Cronos and Bitcoin. The announcement was made in partnership with Crypto.com, further validating Cronos' relevance in the institutional investment space.

The market responded quickly: Cronos spiked by 30% to reach $0.10 shortly after the Trump Media announcement, according to data from CoinGecko.

The Future of Altcoin Investment Products

As demand for crypto exposure continues to diversify, products like 21Shares' Cronos ETP signal a maturing landscape for altcoin investments. Investors looking for regulated, streamlined entry points into blockchain ecosystems beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum now have more tools at their disposal.

With both market appetite and institutional backing on the rise, Cronos may be one of several altcoins to see increased traction on Wall Street, and 21Shares appears to be ahead of the curve.