Solana News Today: Solana's Scalability and Compliance Attract Institutional ETFs and Global Partnerships

Solana's Institutional Momentum Gains Steam as ETFs and Partnerships Fuel Growth

The Solana blockchain is accelerating its institutional adoption, with recent developments including the launch of the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF and a strategic partnership with Western Union to issue a stablecoin. These moves underscore growing confidence in the network's scalability and regulatory compliance, positioning it as a key player in the evolving crypto landscape.

The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL), which debuted on October 17, 2025, generated $55.4 million in trading volume on its first day, outpacing other altcoin ETFs like those for XRP and Litecoin; TradingView reported the volume in its coverage of the ETF's debut. The fund, which allows investors to stake SOL for rewards, attracted $223 million in assets before its launch, reflecting heightened institutional interest. This follows provisional approval for spot Solana ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission, with final approval pending the conclusion of the government shutdown, according to a Fool analysis. Analysts note that successful ETF adoption could mirror the $62 billion inflow seen in Bitcoin ETFs and the $14 billion in Ethereum ETFs.

Meanwhile, Western Union's decision to launch a Solana-based stablecoin, USDPT, has further boosted the network's profile, according to a Coinpedia article. CEO Devin McGranahan highlighted Solana's compliance with the newly enacted GENIUS Act and its low-cost, high-throughput infrastructure as critical advantages. This partnership adds to a growing list of institutional adopters, including PayPal and Fiserv, leveraging Solana's ecosystem.

The blockchain's market fundamentals also show resilience. Despite Ethereum maintaining a 63% lead in DeFi total value locked (TVL) with $83 billion, Solana's TVL has risen to $11 billion from $6 billion a year ago. Institutional demand is evident, with entities like Bit Mining and Upexi holding over 3.5 million SOL, valued at $591 million, according to TradingView key facts. Analysts project Solana could reach $400 in 2025, driven by its energy-efficient consensus mechanism and developer-friendly environment.

Regulatory clarity is another catalyst. Solana's official X account recently dismissed XRP's role as a "bridge currency", emphasizing its stablecoin infrastructure, as covered in Solana Shades XRP. This comes as Ripple's collaboration with Western Union in 2015 faltered due to regulatory challenges and high costs. Solana's compliance edge, combined with its 175-year-old network uptime, positions it as a preferred choice for cross-border solutions.

While Ethereum's first-mover advantage remains, Solana's institutional traction—bolstered by ETFs, stablecoin partnerships, and developer growth—suggests it could capture a larger share of the DeFi and institutional markets. The network's ability to attract major players while navigating regulatory scrutiny will likely determine its long-term trajectory.