A Turning Point for Cryptocurrencies: Solana and Ethereum ETFs with Staking Could Soon Begin Trading

The first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will both track cryptocurrency prices and provide investors with staking returns will soon begin trading in the United States.

These new ETFs, to be launched by REX Shares and Osprey Funds, are on their way to approval after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) completed its comments.

REX and Osprey filed with the SEC in May to establish C-corporation ETFs that would invest in Ethereum ($ETH) and Solana ($SOL) assets and provide additional returns by staking a portion of these assets. However, the SEC temporarily halted the process, citing some legal uncertainties regarding these applications.

With the SEC having completed its final review, the funds are now reportedly clear of any obstacles. “Looks like they’re ready to launch, wow,” Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

REX Shares announced on the same day via the X platform that the Solana staking ETF is coming “very soon.” Although there is no direct statement about the Ethereum staking ETF, both funds are included in the registration documents filed with the SEC. The ETFs will be traded on the Cboe BZX exchange under the symbols ESK ($ETH staking ETF) and SSK ($SOL staking ETF), respectively.

This development comes amidst a particularly competitive environment, particularly on the Solana side. Major firms such as Invesco and Galaxy have also applied for spot Solana ETFs. Eric Balchunas said these funds could be approved in two to four months.

But REX-Osprey’s approach offers a compelling legal solution to bypass this approval process. Unlike most ETFs, the funds opt for taxable C-corporation status, which allows staking income to be taxed within the fund before being passed on to investors as dividends. While management fees for both funds are set at 0.75%, the total cost is expected to be higher due to income taxes.

*This is not investment advice.