Staking ETFs Bridge TradFi and DeFi, Redefining Crypto Yield Access

Asset managers including Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock have amended their Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF) filings to incorporate staking features, signaling potential regulatory approval within weeks. These updates clarify how the funds will stake Solana (SOL) tokens to generate yield for investors, aligning with evolving regulatory discussions and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent reformsSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1]. The amendments, submitted by multiple firms, address custody protocols and validator selection, reducing operational ambiguities that previously delayed approvalsAsset Managers Amend Solana ETF Filings to Add Staking, May Spur Approvals and Shape Ethereum ETF Expectations^[2]. Analysts such as Nate Geraci of The ETF Store and James Seyffart of Bloomberg have noted the “positive back and forth” between issuers and the SEC, with Geraci estimating approvals could arrive within two weeksSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1]SEC May Greenlight Staking in Solana and Ethereum ETFs^[3].

The inclusion of staking in Solana ETFs represents a significant shift in product design. By allowing investors to earn rewards through the network’s consensus mechanism, these funds offer dual exposure to price appreciation and passive income. Fidelity’s revised filing, for instance, outlines plans to stake a portion or all of its Solana holdings to generate yieldSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1]. This approach distinguishes the new ETFs from existing products, such as Hashdex’s Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF, which provides indirect exposure to Solana but lacks staking integrationSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1]. The added yield potential could attract both institutional and retail investors, particularly in a market where Solana’s price has surged 8.67% over 60 daysAsset Managers Amend Solana ETF Filings to Add Staking, May Spur Approvals and Shape Ethereum ETF Expectations^[2].

Regulatory updates have accelerated the approval timeline for crypto ETFs. The SEC’s “generic listing standards,” effective since August 2025, reduced the approval period for commodity-based ETFs from 240 to 75 days in straightforward casesSEC May Greenlight Staking in Solana and Ethereum ETFs^[3]. This policy shift has streamlined the process for asset managers, with Geraci citing a 90% probability of Solana ETF approvals by mid-October 2025SEC May Greenlight Staking in Solana and Ethereum ETFs^[3]. The revised filings also reflect the SEC’s growing openness to proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanisms, as evidenced by the REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF, which launched in July and holds $300 million in assetsSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1].

The potential approval of Solana ETFs could set a precedent for Ethereum and other PoS-based assets. By demonstrating a regulatory-compliant model for staking, these funds may pave the way for Ethereum ETFs with similar features. Geraci has highlighted that the inclusion of staking in Solana ETFs is a “positive sign” for Ethereum, as it addresses custody and reward distribution concerns that have historically stalled approvalsSEC May Greenlight Staking in Solana and Ethereum ETFs^[3]. The success of these products could also influence broader market dynamics, encouraging further institutional adoption of altcoins and reshaping investor demand for yield-generating crypto instrumentsSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1].

Market participants are closely monitoring the SEC’s next steps. With 92 crypto ETF applications under review, including proposals for XRP and Litecoin, the approval of Solana ETFs could catalyze a wave of new listingsSolana ETF Approvals Could Arrive by Mid-October, Says Analyst^[5]. The recent surge in filings—from Franklin Templeton, CoinShares, and VanEck—underscores the industry’s confidence in the regulatory environmentSolana ETFs Could Arrive in Weeks After Amended Filings^[1]. However, the final timeline remains contingent on the SEC’s discretion, as Geraci noted that approvals are “not guaranteed” despite the favorable outlookAsset Managers Amend Solana ETF Filings to Add Staking, May Spur Approvals and Shape Ethereum ETF Expectations^[2].

The integration of staking into ETF structures marks a pivotal moment for crypto asset management. By bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), these funds offer a regulated pathway for investors to access yield while mitigating risks associated with self-custody. As the market awaits regulatory clarity, the outcomes for Solana ETFs will likely shape the future of staking-enabled products across the crypto ecosystem.