Updated:
Bitwise Solana Staking ETF
Bitwise Solana Staking ETF — a proposed US exchange-traded fund offering regulated Solana exposure with staking yield.
Bitwise Solana Staking ETF
Bitwise Asset Management, a firm specializing in cryptocurrency index funds and ETFs, filed with the SEC in November 2024 to offer the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (per Bitwise prospectus, November 2024). The fund is designed to hold SOL tokens and generate additional returns through staking rewards, a model already used in some Canadian and European crypto ETPs. This filing positions Bitwise among a small group of issuers seeking to expand US-listed crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. The ETF targets institutional and retail investors seeking regulated exposure to Solana, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, with an annual staking yield typically in the 6-8% range (per public blockchain data). Bitwise would custody the SOL tokens via a qualified custodian, while staking operations would be managed by a third-party staking provider. The fund carries an expense ratio not yet disclosed in initial filings. Bitwise already manages the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) and Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), both launched in 2024. Bitwise Asset Management, founded in 2017 by Hunter Horsley and Hong Kim, oversees roughly $12B in total AUM across its crypto product suite (per Bitwise website, 2025). The firm has over 150 employees and offices in San Francisco and New York. The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF is one of several proposed digital asset ETFs awaiting SEC approval as of early 2025, alongside similar filings from VanEck and 21Shares. The SEC has delayed its decision on the Solana ETF proposals multiple times, with a final deadline expected in early 2026 (per Reuters, March 2025). Bitwise's structural differentiator is its narrow focus on crypto-native ETFs with staking capabilities — a hybrid of passive index exposure and active yield generation through proof-of-stake validation. This model blurs the line between a traditional commodity ETF and a yield-bearing instrument, forcing the SEC to address novel questions about staking-as-revenue under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
General information
Firm type
Exchange-Traded Fund
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
—
Corporate office
United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Bitwise for the Solana Staking ETF?
Bitwise Asset Management's crypto strategy is led by CEO Hunter Horsley and CIO Matt Hougan. The Solana ETF product falls under the firm's broader ETF lineup, with Matt Hougan directly overseeing portfolio construction and staking implementation (per Bitwise website).
How does Bitwise source and custody the SOL tokens for the ETF?
Bitwise plans to acquire SOL from cryptocurrency exchanges and OTC desks, then custody the tokens with Coinbase Custody or a similarly qualified digital asset custodian. The staking process would be managed by a third-party provider to generate yield, with the rewards flowing back to the fund (per Bitwise prospectus, November 2024).
Is the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF structured as a single family office or an asset manager?
Neither. This is a publicly-offered exchange-traded fund regulated under the Securities Act of 1933. Bitwise Asset Management is the sponsor, functioning as an asset manager. The ETF structure allows retail and institutional investors to gain Solana exposure through a standard brokerage account.
How does the staking component work within the ETF structure?
The ETF will stake the underlying SOL tokens with a proof-of-stake validator, earning rewards in the form of additional SOL. These rewards are net of validator fees and are reinvested or distributed to the ETF's net asset value. The staking yield is not guaranteed and varies with network conditions (per public blockchain data).
What investment stages does Bitwise typically target with its crypto ETFs?
Bitwise focuses exclusively on liquid digital assets — cryptocurrencies that trade on major spot exchanges. The Solana ETF targets the spot market for SOL, not derivatives nor venture-stage projects. Bitwise also offers index funds tracking top crypto assets by market cap.
What sectors does Bitwise explicitly avoid in its ETF lineup?
Bitwise avoids crypto derivatives, futures-based products (unlike some competitors), and private-stage token sales. The firm's ETFs are limited to spot assets and do not touch leveraged positions or illiquid tokens. The Solana ETF excludes meme coins and smaller altcoins, concentrating on a top-five crypto asset.
How does the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF differ from a direct Solana holding?
The ETF provides regulated, tax-simplified exposure through a conventional brokerage account, avoiding the need for self-custody of SOL tokens or management of staking operations. Investors pay an expense ratio and do not personally select validators. The ETF structure also simplifies tax reporting compared to direct staking income.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on asset managers?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: