Solana News Today: Grayscale's Premium Solana ETF Bets on Staking Edge Amid Fee War

Grayscale has filed for a Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a 0.35% annual management fee, payable in Solana (SOL), as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to rule on its approval by October 10, 2025 Grayscale Sets 0.35% Fee for Solana ETF Ahead of Key SEC Decision^[1]. The filing, dated October 9, includes updated risk disclosures related to staking, warning investors that validator losses or reduced staking appeal could negatively impact the Solana network Grayscale Sets 0.35% Fee for Solana ETF Ahead of Key SEC Decision^[1]. The trust recently enabled staking capabilities, allowing investors to earn rewards through standard brokerage accounts, a feature that, if approved, would make Grayscale's Solana ETF one of the first spot Solana ETPs to offer such functionality to both institutional and retail investors Grayscale Sets 0.35% Fee for Solana ETF Ahead of Key SEC Decision^[1].

The proposed 0.35% fee positions Grayscale in a competitive landscape where Bitwise's Solana Staking ETF charges 0.20%, currently the lowest among similar products. Bitwise has also introduced a fee waiver for the first three months or until reaching $1 billion in assets under management, whichever comes first, and rebranded its offering to emphasize staking Breaking: Grayscale Solana ETF (GSOL) to Trade with 0.35% Fee^[2]. Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas noted that Bitwise's aggressive pricing strategy could attract significant inflows, particularly as the market awaits regulatory clarity Breaking: Grayscale Solana ETF (GSOL) to Trade with 0.35% Fee^[2].

Grayscale's filing outlines key operational details, including Davis Polk & Wardwell as tax counsel, KPMG and Marcum LLP as auditors, and Coinbase Custody and Anchorage Digital Bank as custodians. The ETF, if approved, would list on NYSE Arca, pending the SEC's decision, which has been delayed due to the U.S. government shutdown Grayscale Sets 0.35% Fee for Solana ETF Ahead of Key SEC Decision^[1]. Meanwhile, the SEC has extended review periods for several Solana ETF applications, including those from Bitwise and 21Shares, to October 16, 2025 SEC Delays Decisions on Several ETFs Tied to Staking and Altcoins^[3].

Market reactions to the ETF developments have been mixed. Despite optimism around institutional access to crypto assets, Solana's price (SOL) fell 2% in the 24 hours preceding the filing, trading around $222.10, with a 5% increase in trading volume Grayscale Sets 0.35% Fee for Solana ETF Ahead of Key SEC Decision^[1]. Analysts suggest that volatility remains elevated as investors balance regulatory uncertainty with broader adoption trends SEC Delays Decisions on Several ETFs Tied to Staking and Altcoins^[3].

The approval of Grayscale's Solana ETF would mark a pivotal step in expanding U.S. crypto investment products beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, aligning with a broader trend of institutional interest in altcoins. However, the competitive fee environment and regulatory delays highlight the challenges in securing market share amid evolving investor expectations and regulatory scrutiny Bitwise Sets 0.20% Fee for Solana Staking ETF^[4].