Key Highlights
- VanEck files for the first U.S. ETF fully backed by a liquid staking token (JitoSOL)
- This comes after the SEC’s recent statement that liquid staking tokens are not securities
- The ETF will allow traders to gain exposure to crypto staking yields
The big-league asset manager VanEck has officially thrown its hat into the ring, filing paperwork with the SEC for a brand-new kind of fund: an ETF that’s entirely backed by a liquid staking token called JitoSOL.
What are Solana Staking ETFs, and Why are JitoSOL ETFs a Big Thing
Imagine you want to earn rewards on your Solana (SOL) coins by “staking” them, which mainly helps to secure the network. Normally, you would have to lock them up for a while. But with Jito, a major player on Solana, you can stake your SOL and instantly get JitoSOL tokens in return.
These tokens are not just a receipt; they’re liquid. It means you can trade them, spend them, or use them in other apps, all while your original stash of SOL is still working for you in the background, earning those sweet staking yields.
According to the official announcement, VanEck’s proposed ETF would be a giant vault for these JitoSOL tokens. When you buy a share of this ETF on a regular stock exchange, you are not just betting on the price of SOL, but you will also be a part of that vault, which means your investment also grows from those built-in rewards.
It is a slick two-for-one deal with price appreciation plus passive income, all wrapped up in the comfortable, regulated package of an ETF.
This comes after SEC commissioner Hester Peirce, a well-known crypto advocate inside the regulator nicknamed “Crypto Mom,” recently made waves by stating that liquid staking tokens like JitoSOL likely do not count as securities.
For years, the SEC has treated a lot of crypto stuff with deep suspicion, and the threat of being labeled a security has scared off many would-be innovators.
Peirce’s comments are like a signal flare, suggesting that the regulatory winds might be shifting. That kind of clarity gives a firm like VanEck the confidence to move forward, knowing its application might actually be considered on its merits instead of being rejected out of hand.
Big Queue for Solana ETFs
VanEck is far from alone in this race. The line of big-name financial firms all wanting a piece of the Solana ETF action is getting longer by the month. Giants like Grayscale, 21Shares, and Bitwise have all filed their own paperwork, each hoping to launch the first fund that gives investors pure exposure to SOL.
VanEck itself had already filed for a standard spot Solana ETF back in June. This new filing for a staking ETF is like a strategic upgrade—a more advanced, feature-rich version of the same core idea.
The fact that the SEC is even entertaining these applications, taking its time to review them instead of issuing instant denials, tells us everything we need to know.
The success of the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs has clearly paved the way, proving there’s massive demand and that these products can operate safely. Now, Solana, with its blazing speed and thriving community of developers, is next in line for its close-up.
All of this regulatory back-and-forth is building a genuine sense of hope. It’s no longer a question of if a Solana ETF will be approved, but when. Top analysts on Wall Street are now putting the odds at better than 50/50, with many predicting we could see a launch sometime next year.
The real beauty of a fund like the proposed VanEck ETF is how it simplifies things for everyone. For the average person, the process of staking crypto can feel overwhelming. You’ve got to worry about technical terms, choosing the right validator, and the constant fear of making a costly mistake.
A liquid staking ETF sweeps all that complexity aside. You’d simply buy shares through your everyday brokerage account, just like you would for a share of Apple or an S&P 500 fund. Behind the scenes, the fund managers handle all the complicated staking stuff, and the rewards get automatically reflected in the value of your shares.