Solana News Today: First TAO Staked ETP Bridges Traditional Finance and AI-Driven Blockchain Innovation

The cryptocurrency investment landscape is witnessing a pivotal shift as Nordic crypto exchange Safello and Deutsche Digital Assets (DDA), backed by Germany's Deutsche Bank, prepare to launch the first Bittensor (TAO) Staked ETP on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The Safello Bittensor Staked TAO ETP (ticker: STAO), set to debut on November 19, offers investors exposure to TAO-a decentralized artificial intelligence (AI) network-while integrating staking rewards into a regulated, transparent structure.

The product, issued by DDA ETP AG, is physically backed by TAO tokens held in cold storage with a regulated custodian. Investors will benefit from both price movements of TAO and automatically reinvested staking rewards, with a maximum fee of 1.49%. This approach addresses the complexity of direct crypto ownership, allowing participants to access AI-driven blockchain innovation without managing wallets or staking infrastructure, according to a Yahoo Finance report.

Bittensor operates as a decentralized, open-source machine learning network where developers build and monetize AI models. The platform's ecosystem includes specialized "subnets" for tasks like text translation, fraud detection, and protein structure prediction, with contributors earning TAO tokens. Over 70% of circulating TAO is already staked, enhancing network security and stabilizing token demand, according to the Yahoo Finance report.

Safello CEO Emelie Moritz emphasized the product's significance: "Bittensor is a prime example of how decentralized technology and AI are converging to reshape the future of value creation. Together with DDA, we're making it possible for investors to easily access this innovation through a regulated and transparent investment vehicle". The ETP aligns with DDA's strategy to expand its role as a crypto ETP issuer and white-label partner, enabling compliant access to emerging digital assets.

The TAO ETP launch coincides with a surge in crypto ETP activity. Hong Kong recently approved its first spot Solana (SOL) ETF, while U.S. markets saw the debut of Bitwise's Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) with $222.8 million in assets. Analysts view these developments as part of a broader trend toward institutional adoption, driven by regulatory clarity and the demand for diversified portfolios.

The TAO ETP's structure-combining physical token backing, staking yield, and regulatory compliance-positions it as a bridge between traditional finance and AI-centric crypto assets. By automating staking and leveraging cold storage, the product mitigates operational risks while appealing to both retail and institutional investors, the Yahoo Finance report noted.

The SIX Swiss Exchange listing underscores the growing legitimacy of crypto ETPs in traditional financial markets. As regulators worldwide refine frameworks for digital assets, products like STAO highlight the potential for innovation within compliance boundaries. With Bittensor's focus on AI infrastructure, the ETP may attract investors seeking exposure to next-generation blockchain applications.