Solana News Today: Grayscale Launches First U.S. Staking ETFs Bridging DeFi and Traditional Finance

Grayscale Investments has launched the first U.S.-listed spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) to enable staking for Ethereum and Solana, marking a significant development in the crypto market. The firm's Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) and Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH) now allow investors to earn staking rewards while maintaining exposure to Ether's price movements. Additionally, the Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL), currently traded over-the-counter, has activated staking functionality. If approved for uplisting as an exchange-traded product, GSOL could become one of the first Solana ETPs with staking capabilities. These products collectively manage $8.25 billion in assets, with ETHE holding $4.82 billion and ETH managing $3.31 billion in net assetsGrayscale Launches First Staking Spot Crypto ETPs in U.S.^[1].

The move reflects Grayscale's strategy to integrate blockchain innovation with traditional finance. By staking Ether and Solana through institutional custodians and validator networks, the firm aims to enhance network security while generating passive income for investors. Staking rewards are distributed alongside management fees, ensuring transparency for participants. Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg emphasized that the initiative aligns with the firm's role as a leader in digital asset innovation, leveraging its $35 billion in assets under management to deliver "tangible value potential" for investorsGrayscale Adds Staking to Ethereum and Solana Investment^[2]. The firm also released an educational report, Staking 101: Secure the Blockchain, Earn Rewards, to explain the mechanics and benefits of stakingGrayscale Becomes First U.S. ETP to Offer Ethereum, Solana Staking^[3].

Regulatory developments have facilitated this expansion. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved generic listing standards for crypto ETPs, easing the path for new productsLate-2025 crypto investor playbook: Rate cuts, regulation, ETFs^[4]. Earlier in 2025, the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance issued guidance clarifying that protocol-level staking on proof-of-stake networks does not constitute securities offerings, provided rewards are derived solely from network participationCrypto Staking in 2025: SEC’s New Rules Make These^[5]. This regulatory clarity has enabled Grayscale to structure its staking ETFs without exposing investors to the risks of centralized custodial models. The firm's approach involves passive staking, where assets are locked to support network operations without direct management by investorsGrayscale Pioneers the Next Era of Crypto ETFs with Ethereum^[6].

Market dynamics suggest growing demand for staking-enabled products. CoinShares reported that Solana-focused investment vehicles attracted $750 million in inflows over the past week, with year-to-date inflows exceeding $2.5 billionGrayscale Launches First Staking Spot Crypto ETPs in US^[7]. This trend aligns with broader institutional interest in crypto yield strategies, particularly as the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting cycle reduces traditional fixed-income returns. Grayscale's staking ETFs offer a regulated alternative to direct staking, appealing to investors seeking compliance with U.S. securities laws. The firm's products also benefit from the recent surge in Solana's adoption, driven by its high throughput and low-cost transactionsGrayscale Launches First U.S.-Listed ETFs Enabling Crypto Staking^[8].

The launch underscores the convergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional markets. By enabling staking through ETPs, Grayscale bridges the gap between blockchain networks and institutional portfolios, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption. While Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies remain central to market discussions, Ethereum and Solana's proof-of-stake mechanisms position them as key beneficiaries of this innovation. Analysts note that staking rewards could enhance long-term value accrual for these networks, particularly as validator participation increasesGrayscale Adds Staking to Ethereum and Solana Investment^[9]. However, risks persist, including regulatory uncertainty for other tokens like XRP and NEAR, which have yet to receive similar approvalsSEC’s Shift in Crypto Policy: Project Crypto, ETPs, and Staking^[10].

Grayscale plans to expand staking to additional products as the digital asset ecosystem evolves. The firm's focus on education, transparency, and regulatory alignment reinforces its position as a bridge between crypto-native technologies and traditional finance. As the SEC continues to refine its approach to crypto regulation, the success of these staking ETFs could influence broader market structures, encouraging further innovation in yield-generating strategiesGrayscale Launches First Staking Spot Crypto ETPs in U.S.^[11].