TLDR
- 21Shares files for ONDO ETF, bridging DeFi tokens with Wall Street access
- ONDO ETF to track real-world assets using secure cold-stored tokens
- Ondo Finance boosts U.S. presence with broker deal and Pantera funding
- ONDO price surges as ETF news drives investor interest and volume growth
- ETF aims to legitimize tokenized Treasuries in traditional finance circles
21Shares has filed an S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch an ONDO ETF. This marks a strategic step to align decentralized finance with regulated markets and increase exposure to real world assets. The ONDO ETF filing signals growing interest in bringing blockchain-based financial products directly onto Wall Street.
21Shares ONDO ETF Aims to Track RWA Performance
21Shares submitted the ONDO ETF filing on July 23, 2025, seeking approval to list the product on a U.S. exchange. The ONDO ETF will passively track the CME CF Ondo Finance-Dollar Reference Rate using ONDO tokens held in cold storage. Coinbase Custody will secure the assets, ensuring separation and safety through regulated crypto infrastructure.
🚨 JUST IN: 21Shares just filed with the SEC for an Ondo ETF.
Physically backed and managed by Coinbase Custody.
HERE WE GO 🚀 pic.twitter.com/BXBIlerS4w
— Real World Asset Watchlist (@RWAwatchlist_) July 22, 2025
The ETF will directly hold ONDO without derivatives and aims to replicate its dollar value transparently and efficiently. This passive structure reduces complexity, while the benchmark aggregates executed ONDO trades from major exchanges. The ONDO ETF is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and will not offer protections under that framework.
The product reflects 21Shares’ intention to position ONDO as a core asset for real world asset tokenization. This step allows broader access to ONDO through familiar financial channels. It integrates tokenized U.S. Treasuries and money markets with capital market mechanisms.
Ondo Finance’s Platform Gains Institutional Momentum
Ondo Finance specializes in tokenizing real world assets like Treasury bonds. The platform recently agreed to acquire Oasis Pro, a regulated broker, to support its expanding U.S. tokenization capabilities. This acquisition enhances Ondo’s regulatory footprint and operational scale.
Ondo has partnered with Pantera Capital on a $250 million initiative to invest in tokenized real world assets. The ONDO ETF would add another layer of market access and visibility. This move could significantly increase the total value locked across its DeFi ecosystem.
The platform’s alignment with institutions supports its effort to reshape how traditional assets are represented on-chain. ONDO aims to make real world assets more accessible, liquid, and interoperable within blockchain networks. This ETF may serve as a bridge for traditional participants entering on-chain finance.
ONDO Token Sees Price and Volume Surge
The ONDO price climbed 1.10% in 24 hours, closing at $1.08 after dipping to $1.04 earlier in the day. Its 24-hour trading volume rose by 5.29%, reaching approximately $349.6 million, reflecting stronger demand. The ONDO ETF announcement likely contributed to this price activity as market interest increased.
Source: CoinMarketCap
World Liberty Financial has accumulated ONDO for its multi-asset DeFi treasury, adding to the token’s presence in institutional strategies. Though ONDO is not registered as a security, its growing role in compliant structures draws attention. The ONDO ETF further affirms confidence in its utility and long-term relevance.