Solana ETF Bidders Update SEC Filings, Clearing Path to On-Chain Staking Yields

Seven major ETF sponsors have revised their U.S. SEC filings to add support for staking Solana (SOL) inside their proposed funds—a move that could reshape yield dynamics for crypto ETF investors and signals potential regulatory softening toward digital assets.

ETF Issuers Pivot Toward Staking Integration

In a coordinated effort on Friday, top ETF issuers—21Shares, Bitwise, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, VanEck, and Canary Capital—submitted amended S-1 forms with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These updates clarify that their forthcoming Solana ETFs seek to directly track SOL and enable on-chain staking, unlocking the prospect of yield generation within traditional investment vehicles.

Regulatory Atmosphere Shifts as SEC Requests Updates

The moves come just days after industry reporting revealed the SEC had instructed applicants to specifically address staking mechanics in their filings. Staking entails locking tokens in a decentralized network to earn financial rewards, a practice previously viewed with caution by U.S. regulators. Ethereum ETF proposals, for example, have encountered regulatory delays due to perceived financial and security risks related to staking. The SEC’s recent guidance to Solana ETF hopefuls indicates a more nuanced approach as the regulatory climate becomes more collaborative under the pro-crypto policies of President Donald Trump.

Key Stats & Figures

• Number of ETF Filers: 7 issuers (21Shares, Bitwise, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, VanEck, Canary Capital)
• Current SOL Price: $147, down 3.5% over the past 24 hours as per CoinGecko
• ETF Status: Spot Solana ETFs remain unapproved—only Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs have SEC approval so far
• Staking Inclusion: Amended S-1 filings now explicitly seek on-chain yield, setting a precedent for future crypto ETF structures

Industry Momentum Builds Amid Softer Stance from Regulators

Federal regulators, including both the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), have recently signaled a willingness to work more closely with digital asset firms. Notably, the SEC has dropped lawsuits against major exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, marking a period of greater regulatory accommodation. This shift has spurred a wave of applications for crypto-based ETFs—not only for high-cap coins but also trending tokens ranging from Dogecoin and Bonk to XRP and Avalanche. While optimism remains high, the SEC’s decision on spot Solana ETFs was delayed again in May, underscoring the lengthy approval gauntlet applicants must navigate.

Conclusion: What This Means for the Market

If the SEC ultimately grants approval, Solana ETFs with embedded staking could usher in a new era of yield-driven crypto funds—potentially intensifying mainstream and institutional adoption. While the final verdict is pending, these latest filings reveal both industry readiness and a more open regulatory landscape, marking a crucial step in integrating DeFi features with regulated financial products.