Solana ETF filings are advancing but remain under SEC review: 21Shares filed a Form 8‑A to list on Cboe BZX, the SEC extended decisions for Bitwise and 21Shares to October 16, 2025, and VanEck lowered fees to 0.30% while proposing staking and a 5% liquidity buffer.
-
21Shares filed a Form 8‑A, the final registration step before listing on Cboe BZX.
-
The SEC extended review deadlines for Bitwise and 21Shares spot Solana ETF proposals to Oct. 16, 2025.
-
VanEck revised its Solana proposal with a 0.30% fee, delegated staking plans and a 5% liquidity buffer.
Solana ETF update: SEC review extended to Oct 16, 2025; 21Shares files Form 8‑A; VanEck cuts fee to 0.30% and proposes staking with a 5% liquidity buffer — COINOTAG.
Regulatory action around spot Solana ETFs is intensifying: 21Shares filed a Form 8‑A, the SEC extended review timelines, and VanEck updated its proposal to include staking and a lower fee.
By COINOTAG | Published: October 16, 2025 | Updated: October 16, 2025
What is the latest on Solana ETF approvals?
Solana ETF applications remain under active review by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 21Shares has filed a Form 8‑A that completes the registration steps required for listing on the Cboe BZX Exchange, while the SEC has extended its formal review of Bitwise and 21Shares spot Solana ETF proposals to October 16, 2025.
How does the SEC extension affect pending Solana ETF applications?
The SEC’s extension provides the agency additional time to assess listing standards, oversight arrangements and compliance with Commodity-Based Trust Shares rules. The extension aligns the review timelines for multiple applicants, allowing the SEC to consider exchange listing plans and custody practices together. Official notices from the SEC list the October 16, 2025 deadline for final action on the Bitwise and 21Shares proposals (SEC extension notices, October 2025).
How would staking work in a Solana ETF?
VanEck’s revised filing for a Solana Staking ETF (ticker VSOL) proposes to include staking rewards where permitted by law. The proposal specifies that any delegation of SOL would be routed through regulated custodial providers such as Gemini or Coinbase Custody (plain text mention of those firms as named custodians in the filing). The plan also includes a structural 5% liquidity buffer intended to manage potential redemptions during volatile periods. The ETF would collect staking rewards at the fund level and allocate net rewards to shareholders in accordance with the fund’s operating agreement and regulatory constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the SEC decide on Bitwise and 21Shares spot Solana ETF applications?
The SEC has set October 16, 2025 as the extended deadline for decisions on both Bitwise and 21Shares filings. That date reflects procedural extensions and provides the agency time to evaluate listing standards and oversight provisions before a final determination.
Will a Solana ETF allow investors to earn staking rewards?
Some filings, notably VanEck’s, propose to pass staking rewards to the fund and therefore to shareholders where legally permissible. Any staking would be conducted via regulated custodial providers and subject to the SEC’s review and the fund’s governance rules, so availability will depend on final regulatory approval.
Market context and issuer positioning
Issuers are structuring proposals to address SEC concerns around custody, market surveillance and investor protections. 21Shares’ Form 8‑A filing signals readiness to list on Cboe BZX if the SEC grants approval. Bitwise’s application remains under review, synchronized with 21Shares by the agency’s extension notice. VanEck’s updates — most notably lowering its management fee to 0.30% and proposing delegated staking — demonstrate how issuers are attempting to balance competitive pricing with product features that could appeal to both retail and institutional investors.
Regulated custody and exchange oversight are emphasized across filings. The applicants name regulated custodians and exchanges (Cboe BZX) in their statements of intent, reflecting an industry trend toward formal custody arrangements and partner selection intended to meet SEC expectations. These details were included in filer disclosures submitted to regulators (plain text references to filings).
COINOTAG markets analyst commented: “Issuers are adjusting fees and custody structures to align with regulatory expectations while preserving investor access. The SEC’s extended review indicates a focus on the mechanics of listing and safeguards rather than rejecting the concept outright.”
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory timeline: The SEC extended review deadlines for Bitwise and 21Shares to October 16, 2025, giving the agency more time to assess listing and oversight plans.
- Issuer readiness: 21Shares filed a Form 8‑A, the final registration step before listing on Cboe BZX, signaling preparedness for exchange listing if approved.
- Product design: VanEck reduced its proposed management fee to 0.30% and included delegated staking via regulated custodians plus a 5% liquidity buffer to handle redemptions.
Conclusion
The Solana ETF landscape is evolving as issuers refine fees, custody and product features to meet regulatory expectations. With the SEC’s extended October 16, 2025 review deadline for Bitwise and 21Shares, and VanEck’s amended filing proposing staking and lower fees, the market is preparing for potential approvals while awaiting formal regulatory action. Readers should monitor official SEC notices and issuer filings for final determinations; COINOTAG will provide updates as new developments are publicly disclosed.
Sources (plain text): U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission extension notices; 21Shares Form 8‑A filing; VanEck Solana Staking ETF filing; Bitwise ETF proposal; Cboe BZX exchange filings; statements from regulated custodial providers (Gemini, Coinbase Custody). All source names are presented as plain text without external links.
