In 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), sparking optimism for future crypto ETFs, including Shiba Inu (SHIB). Shibarium's Marketing Strategist, LUCIE, suggested a SHIB ETF could enhance accessibility, attracting traditional investors and institutional interest, and potentially boosting demand for the meme coin.

However, LUCIE also highlighted potential drawbacks, particularly for decentralized finance (DeFi). ETF investors may miss out on staking and governance opportunities as they do not directly own the cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, ETFs could centralize SHIB control, potentially leading to market manipulation, contrasting DeFi's transparency. The impact of a SHIB ETF on DeFi is thus a matter of perspective, weighing the benefits against potential challenges in decentralized finance.