First-Ever Staked Solana ETF Launches in U.S., Sidesteps SEC Hurdles

A groundbreaking crypto ETF tied to Solana (SOL) is set to debut this Wednesday, marking a major regulatory and structural innovation in the U.S. financial landscape. Launched by REX Shares, the fund will be the first U.S.-based exchange-traded product to combine spot exposure to a cryptocurrency with native on-chain staking rewards.

Trading under the ticker SSK, this ETF offers a unique model that bypasses the traditional SEC bottleneck faced by other crypto ETF applicants. Solana’s price jumped nearly 4% shortly after the announcement, reflecting immediate market enthusiasm.

Unlike typical exchange-traded funds that require extensive SEC scrutiny under Rule 19b-4, the SSK ETF is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and structured through a C-corporation. This legal configuration enables the product to avoid staking-specific regulatory pushback, which has delayed other spot crypto ETFs, particularly those seeking to incorporate staking features.

The fund provides 24/5 trading access, commission-free availability on select platforms, and transparent on-chain reward distribution—setting it apart from centralized exchange staking programs. Importantly, investors maintain full exposure to SOL while receiving direct staking yields, all within a regulated wrapper.

According to REX, the SEC informally indicated that no unresolved comments remain on the product, allowing it to move forward without further regulatory entanglements.

The SSK ETF may now serve as a blueprint for other asset managers, especially as major players like VanEck and 21Shares await SEC decisions on their proposed Solana ETFs—none of which include staking functionality and remain stuck under traditional commodity trust filings.

This launch signals a turning point for U.S. crypto asset management, proving that staking yields and ETF regulation are not mutually exclusive.