🌟 U.S. Launches First Solana + Staking ETF: A New Era in Crypto Investing
On July 2, 2025, the REX‑Osprey Solana + Staking ETF (ticker: SSK) began trading on the Cboe exchange, marking a major milestone: the first U.S.-listed crypto ETF that combines direct Solana (SOL) exposure with native staking rewards.
Anchorage Digital has been appointed as the fund’s exclusive custodian and staking partner, leveraging its unique status as a federally regulated bank capable of both holding and staking digital assets .
🔍 What Sets SSK Apart?
- Dual advantage: SSK provides spot SOL exposure, avoiding futures-related drag, while also enabling investors to earn staking yields—currently around 7.3% annualized .
- Regulated ETF wrapper: Structured under the Investment Company Act of 1940 with a C‑corporation format, enabling staking rewards to flow to investors in compliance with U.S. regulation .
- Hybrid asset composition: Approximately 80% in SOL, with about 50% of that actively staked. The rest includes other staking vehicles and liquid staking tokens like JitoSOL, with all rewards passed directly to investors .
📈 Market Reaction & Significance
- SOL price responded sharply, rallying 4–6% upon launch and trading in the $150–$158 range .
- The ETF’s debut follows months of SEC scrutiny and revisions. Regulators ultimately issued a “no objection,” effectively green-lighting the product.
- Most analysts see this launch as a precedent-setting step toward staking-integrated crypto ETFs, potentially paving the way for Ethereum staking ETFs, which are already under development .
📊 Why This Matters
- Broader access for traditional investors
Investors can now gain passive SOL yield directly within regulated brokerage accounts—no need to manage wallets or validators. - Regulatory validation
The SEC’s acceptance of the C‑corp structure signals confidence in staking’s compatibility with U.S. securities laws, easing the path for other staking products . - Crypto ETF evolution
As the crypto ETF landscape expands beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, Solana’s product launch contributes to an emerging trend of income-generating digital assets. - Industry momentum
With other spot Solana ETF applications in progress and staking ETFs on the horizon, SSK may kickstart a new wave of altcoin-based ETF innovation .
⚖️ Key Stats at a Glance
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticker | SSK |
| Exchange | Cboe |
| Spot SOL Allocation | ~80% |
| Staked SOL Portion | ~50% of SOL allocation |
| Staking Yield | ~7.3% annually |
| Custodian/Staker | Anchorage Digital |
| Regulatory Structure | 1940 Act C‑Corp ETF |
🧭 What Happens Next
- Investor behavior: Watch how capital flows into SSK during its first weeks, and whether SOL price maintains momentum.
- Regulatory ripple effect: Will more staking ETFs follow—especially for Ethereum?
- Competitive landscape: How other asset managers and issuers respond to staking-embedded ETF structures.
- Retail adoption: With platforms like Robinhood already introducing SOL staking, traditional ETFs could broaden mainstream access .