Solana News Today: Regulators Greenlight a New Frontier: Staked Crypto Hits Mainstream Finance

VanEck, a leading global asset manager, has filed an S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the VanEck JitoSOL ETF, the first exchange-traded fund in the United States to be backed by a liquid staking token (LST). This proposed fund would hold solely JitoSOL, a token issued by the Jito Network that represents staked Solana (SOL) assets and their accrued rewards. JitoSOL allows investors to maintain liquidity while still earning staking yield, a key innovation in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market [1].

The filing represents a significant milestone in the integration of blockchain-native products into traditional financial markets. It follows months of regulatory engagement, including meetings with the SEC and the publication of analyses supporting the non-securities classification of JitoSOL. These efforts were coordinated with Jito Labs, the Jito Foundation, and other industry stakeholders, including Multicoin Capital and the Solana Foundation [1]. The SEC has indicated through staff statements that protocol staking and liquid staking, when structured appropriately, do not fall under securities laws, providing a clearer regulatory pathway for such products [3].

Investor benefits from the proposed ETF are notable. By leveraging liquid staking tokens, the fund aims to provide liquidity and redemption flexibility, allowing for daily creation and redemption cycles while still generating yield for investors. Additionally, the use of LSTs aligns with standard ETF accounting practices, reducing the complexity of managing staked assets. This approach could lead to more favorable long-term returns for investors, particularly on chains like Solana, which offer competitive staking yields [1].

The regulatory landscape for staking and LSTs has been evolving, with the SEC providing increasingly clear guidance. In May and August 2025, the agency issued statements affirming that most forms of proof-of-stake staking do not constitute securities transactions, a critical development for the broader adoption of staking-related ETFs. These statements, though non-binding, signal a growing regulatory acceptance of staking as a legitimate investment strategy and infrastructure component [3].

The VanEck JitoSOL ETF proposal also reflects broader industry interest in bringing blockchain yield-bearing assets into mainstream financial products. Several major asset managers, including Fidelity, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton, have expressed similar intentions for staked Solana funds. This shift marks a new phase in crypto ETF development, moving beyond pure price tracking to include active yield generation through on-chain participation [2].

With the S-1 filing now under review, the next steps will involve the SEC’s evaluation process, including potential market listing. The Jito Foundation and VanEck have emphasized their ongoing commitment to regulatory compliance, transparency, and investor protection. If approved, the VanEck JitoSOL ETF will represent a critical bridge between decentralized infrastructure and institutional capital, facilitating broader adoption of blockchain-based financial instruments [1].

Source:

[1] Announcing the S-1 Filing for the VanEck JitoSOL ETF (https://www.jito.network/blog/announcing-the-s-1-filing-for-the-vaneck-jitosol-etf)

[2] JitoSOL ETF News: VanEck Files to Launch Staked Solana ... (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/22/vaneck-aims-to-take-solana-s-liquid-staking-to-tradfi-investors-via-jitosol-etf)

[3] VanEck files first US liquid staking ETF with JitoSOL (https://cointelegraph.com/news/vaneck-jitosol-etf-submission-sec)