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Solana-Backed Staking ETF Debuts in U.S. with Promising Early Interest

13h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Ifeoluwa O.
Getting informed Altcoins

One could say the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF’s debut signals a strong step forward for Solana-related products in the U.S. Launched by REX Shares and Osprey Funds, this fund combines direct Solana exposure with on-chain staking, attracting early interest from both institutional and retail investors.

A young investor leaps toward a glowing Solana ETF coin as others race behind him.

In Brief

  • On its opening day, the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF product generated $33 million in trading volume.
  • Early trading interest came from both institutional and retail investors, with $12 million committed on day one.
  • Bitwise strategist Juan Leon noted that initial institutional trading volume was lower than expected compared to Bitcoin-based funds.

Strong Opening Indicates Growing Interest

On its opening day, the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF generated $33 million in trading volume and ended with about $1 million in assets under management.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas observed that the fund’s debut exceeded expectations typically seen for new ETFs, particularly when compared to earlier Solana or XRP futures-based products. He further indicated that the fund’s momentum might continue, with inflows potentially reaching $10 million in the days following its launch.

Another Bloomberg analyst, James Seyffart, reported that the ETF recorded $8 million in trading volume within the first 20 minutes of trading. This early activity points to strong demand for regulated crypto investment vehicles that offer additional yield features.

REX Shares and Osprey Funds, the ETF sponsors, confirmed that about $12 million was committed on the first day alone, reflecting solid interest from both institutional and retail investors.

Solana Staking Strategy Distinguishes the New ETF

The REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF stands out by combining staking rewards with strong regulatory safeguards.

Key aspects that make the Solana staking ETF unique and secure:

  • Around 80% of the fund’s assets are invested in spot SOL, with over half of those actively staked to earn on-chain yield.
  • Anchorage Digital, a federally regulated crypto custodian, holds and stakes the fund’s Solana assets, ensuring strong investor protections.
  • Operates under the strict Investment Company Act of 1940, meeting high regulatory compliance standards.
  • This compliance sets it apart from many crypto ETFs still awaiting approval under looser frameworks.

Nathan McCauley, CEO of Anchorage, described the fund as a key breakthrough in opening the door for institutions to invest in crypto securely and within a regulated framework, emphasizing staking as the next important phase in crypto ETFs.

Impact on Solana and Market Positioning

Solana’s token price reacted positively to the product’s debut, rising more than 4% within 24 hours, reflecting growing confidence and increased attention following the launch of this new regulated investment.

However, institutional interest appears more measured. Juan Leon, senior investment strategist at Bitwise, told Decrypt that the day-one trading activity fell short of expectations based on the market capitalization comparison between Solana and Bitcoin.

He added that the muted response likely reflects that institutional investors have yet to fully explore or adopt Solana in their strategies.

[The ETF’s] day 1 trading volume was 82% less than what one would’ve expected based on the SOL/BTC market caps. This lack of appetite shows institutional investors are still very early in their understanding of SOL.

Juan Leon

A Regulated Path for Crypto Investment

While many cryptocurrency ETFs remain under regulatory review, the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF successfully launched through adherence to a regulated framework that provides enhanced protections for investors. 

Unlike traditional spot ETFs, this product combines direct Solana holdings with on-chain staking to generate additional returns. This approach positions it uniquely among crypto funds, combining rigorous custody rules with staking benefits.

Despite the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s cautious stance toward many crypto investment products—as reflected in its ongoing evaluation of other ETFs—this fund exemplifies progress in bridging digital assets with traditional finance.

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Ifeoluwa O. avatar
Ifeoluwa O.

Ifeoluwa specializes in Web3 writing and marketing, with over 5 years of experience creating insightful and strategic content. Beyond this, he trades crypto and is skilled at conducting technical, fundamental, and on-chain analyses.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.