- Franklin Templeton is pushing for staking in its proposed Solana ETF, a move that could reshape crypto ETFs.
- Regulatory attitudes are shifting, with the SEC now open to discussions on staking after approving Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
- If approved, this could set a precedent for proof-of-stake assets in ETFs, making staking a standard feature in future funds.
Franklin Templeton, one of the biggest names in asset management, is making a bold move—it wants staking included in its proposed Solana (SOL) exchange-traded fund (ETF). The firm filed its registration statement with the SEC on Friday, signaling a shift in how traditional finance is approaching crypto.
If approved, this could be a major breakthrough for integrating staking into ETFs, something that wasn’t even on the table under the previous SEC administration.
What’s in the Proposal?
According to the filing, Franklin Templeton’s Solana ETF would allow staking, meaning:
- The fund could generate staking rewards—which would be treated as income.
- Shares would trade on the Cboe BZX Exchange.
- Coinbase Custody Trust Company would serve as the custodian.
This move follows a growing push from multiple firms looking to launch Solana ETFs, especially with the SEC now under a more crypto-friendly administration.
Shifting Regulations & Staking Conversations
Under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, crypto—especially staking-based assets—was a tough sell. But times are changing.
- The SEC was forced to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs after losing a lawsuit to Grayscale.
- Ethereum ETFs got the green light soon after.
- Now, firms are in talks with regulators about integrating staking.
Just last week, the SEC’s newly formed crypto task force met with Jito Labs and Multicoin Capital to discuss staking in exchange-traded products.
Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart weighed in:
“I think staking will ultimately be allowed for all proof-of-stake assets inside an ETF wrapper. It’s just more a matter of when at this point.”
What’s Next?
While Ethereum ETF proposals with staking are already in the pipeline, the timeline for Solana’s approval is still unclear. Many firms initially removed staking from their applications to avoid SEC scrutiny, but with a regulatory shift happening, they may now push for it again.
If Franklin Templeton’s staked Solana ETF gets the go-ahead, it could set a new standard for how ETFs handle proof-of-stake assets—and potentially open the floodgates for similar products in the future.
