VanEck Files for Staked Solana ETF Using JitoSOL, Expanding Access to Blockchain-Based Yield

Asset manager VanEck has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a Staked Solana ETF, marking a significant move to integrate liquid staking yields into traditional financial markets.

The proposed exchange-traded fund, submitted as an S-1 registration on Friday, would provide investors with exposure to JitoSOL — a liquid staking derivative native to the Solana blockchain. JitoSOL represents ownership of staked SOL tokens and accrues staking rewards over time, effectively combining capital appreciation with blockchain-native yield.

If approved, this ETF would not only track Solana’s price performance but also reflect income generated through staking — a departure from traditional crypto ETFs that typically ignore yield-bearing mechanisms.

A First-of-Its-Kind Product

This fund would be among the first regulated financial products to incorporate staking yield directly into an ETF structure. VanEck’s move comes as interest continues to rise among institutional investors seeking compliant exposure to decentralized finance (DeFi) primitives like staking.

Regulatory Winds May Be Shifting

In a panel at Jackson Hole earlier this week, SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins acknowledged that regulatory frameworks need modernization. “There’s a lot of spring cleaning that needs to be done at the SEC,” Atkins said, adding that upcoming rules should be “flexible” and capable of evolving alongside new technologies.

Atkins’ comments suggest a potentially more open approach to innovations such as liquid staking, which could pave the way for ETF approval.

Competition Heats Up

VanEck is not alone in this space. Asset management giants including Fidelity, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton have also shown interest in launching staked Solana products, highlighting growing momentum toward blending DeFi infrastructure with TradFi offerings.

If greenlit, VanEck’s Staked Solana ETF could offer a new gateway for institutions and retail investors alike to access crypto-native yield — without having to interact directly with staking protocols.