Bitwise’s Solana ETF launch (ticker BSOL) marked the strongest debut of any crypto product in 2025. On its first day of trading, October 28, it recorded volume of approximately $55.4–56 million and captured $69.5 million in new assets. These results show regulators a clear path for institutional investment and offer retail investors an easy, liquid way to own Solana.
The fund holds SOL directly and also stakes the coins, allowing shareholders to receive the network’s usual reward, close to seven percent annually. Bitwise charges a 0.20% fee on annual assets, but waives it completely for the first three months for the first billion dollars in assets. Helius, contracted to manage staking, already oversees more than thirteen million SOL and runs the validator hardware.
Staking allows SOL holders to lock their coins so the network can process blocks, receiving tokens as rewards. Bloomberg described this launch as the strongest of the year. At the close of the day, the fund was already managing approximately $289 million in assets, well ahead of rival products that began with smaller inflows and lower volumes.
Features and advantages of the new ETF
The proposition is simple: Solana processes transactions quickly and cheaply while the fund generates additional tokens through staking within a regulated vehicle. After trading began, SOL’s price rose and analysts noted renewed institutional interest in ETFs tied to active altcoins.
The ETF’s initial success suggests greater institutional adoption, since funds that meet custody rules attract pension plans and similar pools that were previously excluded. A strong first day adds depth to SOL’s order book, although risks remain: if a staking partner fails, the entire fund suffers the consequences.
The next challenge will be to determine whether the fund continues to attract capital and whether regulators approve additional Solana ETFs. The initial figures already demonstrate measurable institutional demand for this type of product.
