- SSK, the first U.S. ETF offering Solana staking rewards, launched at $25.47 per share on Cboe, backed by Anchorage Digital as custodian.
- Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, SSK is governed under the Investment Company Act of 1940, requiring secure third-party custody.
- The ETF opens staking to everyday investors, combining passive yield with crypto exposure in a fully regulated vehicle.
A fresh milestone in crypto investing just hit Wall Street — the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF (SSK) officially launched on the Cboe exchange, becoming the first U.S.-listed ETF to offer staking rewards alongside digital asset exposure.
Trading kicked off Wednesday at $25.47 per share, with Solana (SOL) hovering near $152.96, up about 2% over the past 24 hours. The fund doesn’t just track Solana’s price—it also lets investors earn staking rewards, without having to run a validator or mess with complicated crypto wallets.
Anchorage Digital to Handle the Heavy Lifting
Anchorage Digital, a name you might recognize if you’ve been following regulated crypto custodians, has been chosen as the exclusive custodian and staking partner for this ETF. That’s a big deal—Anchorage is currently the only federally chartered bank that can both custody and stake digital assets, which makes them a natural fit for this kind of product.
“Staking is the next chapter in the crypto ETF story,” said Nathan McCauley, Anchorage’s CEO and co-founder. He sees this as a clear win for retail investors who want in on staking rewards but prefer to stick with familiar tools like brokerage apps.
Why This ETF Feels Different
Unlike spot Bitcoin or Ethereum ETFs, SSK is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. That means it follows a different set of regulatory rules—ones that require a qualified custodian (like Anchorage) to hold the fund’s assets, not the issuer. This added layer of protection helps reassure regulators and investors alike.
More importantly, it brings staking—a process that used to be pretty niche—into the mainstream. Investors can now earn passive income from securing the Solana network just by owning an ETF. No staking nodes. No blockchain confusion. Just click, buy, and hold.
A Broader Shift in ETF Strategy
The arrival of SSK marks a turning point. The crypto ETF space is slowly evolving past basic exposure to Bitcoin and Ether. Now it’s about unlocking yield and opening up blockchain functionality in ways that traditional investors can easily access. And with the SEC involved, it gives the whole structure a sheen of legitimacy some crypto projects have lacked.
SSK could pave the way for similar products across other proof-of-stake networks. If it catches on, expect more ETFs offering real utility, not just price speculation.
