By: Isha Das
The REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF (SSK) has rapidly crossed the $100 million mark in assets under management (AUM) merely 12 trading days following its launch on July 2. This swift uptick highlights burgeoning investor interest in innovative crypto investments within a regulated framework. The ETF is notably the first of its kind in the United States to integrate on-chain staking rewards, presenting investors with direct exposure to Solana's market price and staking yield in a liquid ETF format.
The SSK's exponential growth reflects the increasing appetite among traditional investors for blockchain-native solutions that eliminate technical obstacles such as wallet management or self-custody. Notably, the ETF recorded a remarkable $12 million in trading volume on its first day of trade, indicating strong market demand. As per industry experts, this interest from investors is a testament to the growing confidence in Solana as a robust digital asset, as it not only encompasses attractive staking rewards but also operates within recognized regulatory structures.
Solana's recent price rally complements the ETF's milestone, with its price climbing above $200 for the first time since January 2025. Its market capitalization surged to an impressive $107 billion, cementing its position as the fifth-largest digital asset by market cap. This bullish momentum is further driven by on-chain activity, as data indicates that the total value locked in Solana-based decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols has surpassed $10 billion. More than 350,000 new tokens were deployed on the network in the past week, reflecting heightened developer and investor activity.
Institutional interest in Solana also plays a significant role in its recent successes. High-profile acquisitions, such as Upexi's $20 million purchase of 100,000 SOL and Defi Development Corp.'s $28 million acquisition of 141,383 SOL, underscore the confidence among institutional investors in Solana's long-term potential. These moves by prominent asset managers indicate a broader acceptance and integration of Solana within the investment portfolios of established financial entities.