Solana ETF momentum builds amid SEC shakeup, $5.5B inflows expected

Solana (SOL) may be on the cusp of a game-changing moment as a US-approved spot ETF for Solana is no longer a far-fetched idea; it’s starting to look increasingly likely.

If that happens, it could unlock a wave of institutional capital, with some projections putting first-year inflows as high as $5.5 billion.

That’s not just a number, it’s a reflection of the broader shift in how traditional finance is beginning to engage with crypto beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The SEC has circled October 10, 2025, as the deadline to decide on these spot Solana ETFs.

But recent signals suggest things might move faster.

Just this month, issuers were asked to revise and refile their applications by the end of July, a move that suggests the agency wants things in order ahead of schedule.

And notably, the REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF (SSK) has already gone live under a different regulatory route, the Investment Company Act of 1940, sidestepping the usual delays.

What’s especially interesting about the SSK launch is its structure.

It doesn’t just offer exposure to SOL’s price; it also includes staking rewards, pulling in over $70 million in its early days.

That kind of demand speaks volumes.

Investors aren’t just betting on price appreciation anymore; they’re looking for integrated, yield-bearing products that reflect the real utility of the underlying assets.

Institutional demand surges

Investor confidence is reflected in prediction markets, where the odds of SEC approval for a spot Solana ETF hit an extraordinary 99% by late July, driven by a new SEC leadership environment perceived as more crypto-friendly under Chair Paul Atkins.

Major asset managers, including VanEck, Grayscale, Bitwise, Fidelity, and others, have filed applications, indicating robust institutional interest and readiness to access regulated Solana exposure.

There is a growing ecosystem of platforms for retail investors offering instant crypto exchange services, enabling seamless and rapid trading of digital assets.

These instant exchanges facilitate easy access to cryptocurrencies without much delay and hurdles.

The users seeking to acquire Solana tokens can readily buy Sol through many reputable centralized and decentralized exchanges and enjoy benefits from fast transaction speeds and low fees offered by the Solana blockchain.

Price surge on horizon

Market analysts forecast strong price momentum tied to the ETF approval prospect.

SOL has rallied 35% in the past month, trading near $180 as of July-end.

Source: TradingView

Technical models and on-chain data point to a potential breakout toward $250 and possibly $300 within the year.

Some more optimistic long-term targets exceeding $1,000 are predicated on widespread ETF adoption and deeper institutional engagement.

The staking feature incorporated in these ETFs distinguishes Solana from Bitcoin and Ethereum funds, as it enhances inflows by combining capital gains and yield generation.

This innovation is expected to bolster adoption and liquidity significantly, as exemplified by recent Canadian spot Solana ETFs with staking that have spurred international regulatory pressure on the US SEC to keep pace.

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