SEC's Approval of Solana ETF May Attract Institutional Investments

Several asset management companies have recently updated their applications for

staking ETFs with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Industry analysts anticipate that regulatory approval could be granted within the next two weeks. Leading firms such as Grayscale, Fidelity, Bitwise, VanEck, and Canary Capital have submitted revised S-1 filings, now featuring staking options that enable funds to earn returns through Solana’s proof-of-stake protocol. Nate Geraci, an ETF analyst at NovaDius Wealth Management, expects the SEC to give the green light by mid-October, pointing to more efficient review procedures and synchronized submissions from applicants title1 [ 1 ]. With these staking features, ETFs can collect rewards either in cash or tokens, which can boost both net asset value and investor profits title2 [ 2 ].

The regulatory landscape has become more favorable for crypto ETFs, as the SEC recently gave its approval to Grayscale’s

offerings under unified listing standards. This change streamlines the approval process by minimizing repetitive, case-by-case evaluations, thus speeding up decisions for similar products title3 [ 3 ]. Geraci also mentioned that Solana’s staking structure could serve as a model for future Ethereum ETFs, especially since current Ethereum staking proposals have encountered delays title4 [ 4 ]. The addition of staking to Solana ETF filings reflects growing institutional trust, as seen with Bitwise’s European Solana staking ETP, which attracted $60 million in new investments over just five trading sessions title5 [ 5 ].

Rising institutional interest is also evident in the performance of existing Solana ETFs. The REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF, which launched in August, has reported daily inflows of $10.6 million and surpassed $250 million in assets under management within two months title6 [ 6 ]. Its recent transition to a regulated investment company structure eliminated federal and state taxes at the fund level, improving operational efficiency title7 [ 7 ]. Analysts at Pantera Capital have described Solana as the “next big opportunity for institutions” after

and Ethereum, highlighting that institutional investors currently hold less than 1% of the total SOL supply, compared to 16% for Bitcoin and 7% for Ethereum title8 [ 8 ].

Solana’s strengths—such as rapid transaction speeds, minimal fees, and staking yields of 7–8%—make it an attractive option for institutional capital. Experts believe that the approval of staking ETFs could prompt a shift in institutional investments, potentially altering the dynamics of the crypto market. Despite these advantages, SOL’s price has experienced significant fluctuations, with a 16% drop over the past week as of late September title9 [ 9 ]. Should the SEC approve these ETFs, SOL may regain upward momentum, possibly reaching new record highs as yield-focused investors enter the market title10 [ 10 ].

If approvals come in October, it would represent a major milestone in Solana’s journey toward institutional adoption, helping to close the gap with leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. With clearer regulations and increasing interest, Solana’s ecosystem could attract substantial new investments, reinforcing its position as a significant force in the upcoming crypto market cycle title11 [ 11 ].