A significant milestone for cryptocurrency investment in the U.S. is set to take place as Volatility Shares LLC, a Florida-based company, prepares to launch two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking Solana futures.
These funds, the first of their kind, will expose investors to Solana, the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation.
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New investment opportunity in Solana
The Volatility Shares Solana ETF (SOLZ) will track Solana futures, while the Volatility Shares 2X Solana ETF (SOLT) will offer leveraged exposure at twice the futures’ movements. The ETFs come with expense ratios of 0.95 percent and 1.85 percent, respectively. The company initially submitted its filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in December 2024.
Justin Young, CEO of Volatility Shares, noted the relevance of this launch, stating, “Our launch comes at a time of renewed optimism for cryptocurrency innovation in the U.S. We believe the administration recognises the strategic importance of maintaining American leadership in financial technology.”
The introduction of these funds follows a pattern seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum, where futures ETFs were introduced before spot ETFs.
Solana has experienced a resurgence despite past challenges, particularly following the collapse of FTX in 2022. The blockchain network has gained traction due to its lower transaction fees and scalability compared to competitors.
Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst Eric Balchunas commented on the launch, noting, “It’s the first altcoin after Ethereum to be approved. But history has shown that ETF investors crave holding the physical asset as much as possible.
” While the SEC has not yet approved a spot Solana ETF, firms like Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and VanEck have already filed applications in anticipation of regulatory clarity.
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What to expect from Solana’s first futures ETFs
With the increasing acceptance of digital assets, the launch of Solana futures ETFs marks another step toward mainstream adoption.
The launch signals growing institutional interest and could pave the way for a spot in Solana ETF. Increased liquidity, potential price volatility, and regulatory shifts may follow. As Solana gains mainstream acceptance, investors should watch for market reactions and further ETF approvals in the coming months.