Solana News Today: SSK Solana ETF Surpasses $100M in AUM in 12 Days as Staking Rewards Drive Institutional and Retail Adoption

The SSK Solana ETF, a groundbreaking US-listed exchange-traded fund combining direct exposure to Solana (SOL) with on-chain staking rewards, has surpassed $100 million in assets under management (AUM) in just 12 trading days since its debut on July 2, 2025. This rapid adoption highlights growing institutional and individual investor interest in blockchain-native yield strategies, marking a shift toward income-focused crypto investments in a low-yield environment.

Unlike traditional crypto ETFs restricted by the Securities Act of 1933, which limit dividend-like distributions, SSK is structured under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This allows the fund to pass staking income from the Solana network directly to investors as dividends. By bridging traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi), the ETF offers a unique blend of capital appreciation and recurring income, addressing demand for alternatives to stagnant fixed-income returns.

Greg King, CEO of REX-Osprey, the firm behind SSK, emphasized the product’s potential to democratize access to crypto staking for mainstream investors. “SSK opens the door for mainstream investors to access the power of Solana staking through the familiar ETF wrapper,” he stated. The fund’s monthly staking reward distributions and transparent structure have attracted both institutional and retail capital, signaling broader acceptance of regulated yield-generating crypto products.

The success of SSK reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption of staking-based strategies. As regulatory clarity around cryptocurrencies improves, asset managers are increasingly integrating on-chain income opportunities into traditional portfolios. Platforms offering Ethereum staking and tokenized US Treasury products have also seen steady inflows, indicating a market-wide pivot toward yield-focused crypto assets. SSK’s rapid scale could catalyze similar innovations, with competitors like Fidelity and 21Shares already exploring analogous products.

Regulatory frameworks play a critical role in the growth of staking ETFs. SSK’s structure circumvents constraints imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, demonstrating a viable path for compliant staking income distribution under existing US securities law. This innovation positions the fund as a potential blueprint for future products, particularly as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to evaluate frameworks for Ethereum-based staking ETFs. Clearer guidance from regulators could further accelerate the development of yield-focused crypto instruments.

Looking ahead, REX-Osprey plans to expand its offerings beyond Solana, targeting other major cryptocurrencies such as XRP, DOGE, and ETH. This strategy aligns with growing demand for diversified crypto exposure combined with income generation. The firm’s focus on regulated investment vehicles aims to bridge traditional and decentralized finance, making staking rewards more accessible to registered investment advisers (RIAs) and institutional clients. Such developments could redefine the role of crypto in mainstream portfolios, particularly in markets where low-interest rates limit conventional yield opportunities.

The SSK ETF’s milestone underscores a pivotal moment for crypto asset management. By combining the liquidity and transparency of ETFs with the income potential of staking, the product addresses a key investor need in an environment where traditional fixed-income assets struggle to compete. As institutional interest in blockchain-native yield strategies grows, SSK and similar offerings are likely to become a staple of diversified crypto portfolios, reshaping the landscape of digital asset investing.