TL;DR
- Bitwise launched its Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) on the New York Stock Exchange with $56 million in debut trading volume and a total issuance of $222 million.
- Matt Hougan, Bitwise’s CIO, said BSOL combines the traditional advantages of an ETF with automatic staking yield generation.
- Hougan noted that the new U.S. regulatory framework enabled BSOL’s launch and paved the way for future staking-based investment products.
Bitwise launched its Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) on the New York Stock Exchange, reaching $56 million in trading volume on its first day amid strong institutional demand. The total issuance of the ETF amounted to $222 million, equivalent to more than 1.1 million SOL tokens, reflecting significant investor appetite for yield-bearing Solana assets.
Combining the Benefits of an ETF With Staking
Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, highlighted that BSOL merges the core advantages of a traditional ETF —such as low fees, institutional-grade custody, and easy access through brokerage accounts— with the added benefit of automatic staking yield generation. Investors receive approximately 7% in additional SOL annually, a return comparable to a simplified dividend.
According to Hougan, until now, investors achieved higher returns by directly acquiring SOL and staking it themselves. The arrival of BSOL, however, allows them to access the same yield automatically and securely. This positions the ETF as an ideal channel for institutions seeking liquidity, security, and yield without the operational complexities of direct staking. Hougan believes this product could become one of the primary global gateways for Solana investment.
A Product Made Possible by Regulatory Change
The launch also reflects the regulatory shift in the United States. Under Gary Gensler’s leadership at the SEC, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals took years, while Solana wasn’t even under consideration. The new administration not only allowed BSOL to launch but also opened the door for similar staking-based investment products.
Beyond benefiting investors, Solana staking ETFs strengthen the network’s security and decentralization. Bitwise’s CIO described the launch as a key proof of concept for the crypto ETF industry in the U.S., predicting it will play a pivotal role in the creation of new financial products tied to proof-of-stake protocols.
The success of BSOL shows that the combination of cryptocurrencies and yield generation is becoming a strategic component in diversified investment portfolios and further reinforces Solana’s global adoption
