Injective CEO Predicts INJ ETFs to Arrive Before 2027

Injective (INJ) co-founder and CEO Eric Chen anticipates that U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the INJ token could launch before 2027. During an interview with The Block at Korea Blockchain Week 2026, Chen stated that the timeline might be shorter than many expect, though he declined to specify an exact date. This optimism follows the recent progress in ETF applications, with both the 21Shares Injective ETF and the Canary Staked INJ ETF submitting amended S-1 registration statements in September.

Chen’s comments come as Injective expands its regulatory footprint. In August, Injective Institutional Services became an SEC-registered transfer agent, a milestone that Chen described as just the beginning of a broader licensing strategy. The latest Meridian upgrade, which shipped on Sept. 24, was touted as a "massive institutional upgrade," enabling onchain tokenization, offerings, and collateralization with built-in compliance features.

In Europe, Injective has made strides under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The network submitted and finalized a MiCA white paper for INJ, which is now listed in the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) interim register. Chen hinted at upcoming collaborations with large financial institutions, emphasizing that MiCA is a stepping stone for broader tokenization and payment initiatives.

Chen also highlighted the potential of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, particularly in streamlining processes that are traditionally cumbersome in traditional finance. He believes onchain solutions could compress complex financial operations into simpler, more liquid instruments.