Hanwha Asset Management and Jito Foundation build liquid-staked SOL ETP infrastructure
Hanwha Asset Management has partnered with the Jito Foundation to develop infrastructure for liquid-staked token (LST) exchange-traded products (ETPs) in South Korea, focusing on JitoSOL, the Solana-based LST that combines standard staking rewards with MEV-derived yield. The collaboration covers technical integration (validator node operations, ERC-20–compatible token representations, custody with regulated multi-signature solutions), market structure (ETP issuance, market-making, exchange connectivity) and compliance (KYC/AML, reporting, coordination with Korean regulators). Hanwha — which manages roughly 64 trillion KRW (~USD 4.44bn) as of mid‑2025 — positions the work as preparatory for regulated institutional and retail products, including potential domestic ETP listings, multi-asset staking products and pension/retirement vehicle integration. The move builds on Hanwha’s earlier engagement with the Solana Foundation and follows growing institutional interest in liquid staking amid South Korea’s evolving digital-asset regulatory framework (including the Digital Assets Basic Law discussions). For traders, the partnership signals accelerating institutionalization of Solana staking exposure and could increase demand and liquidity for Solana staking derivatives and related tokens; however, product timelines and adoption will depend on custody solutions, regulatory sign-off and final product design.
Bullish
The partnership is likely bullish for SOL because it advances institutional-grade onramps for Solana staking exposure. Building regulated ETP infrastructure tied to JitoSOL reduces operational and regulatory friction for large allocators (pension funds, asset managers). That can increase demand for staking derivatives and tokenized staking representations, supporting higher spot and derivative flows for SOL over time. Short-term price reaction may be muted or limited to positive sentiment spikes because final product launches depend on custody solutions and regulatory approvals; however, once a domestic ETP is listed or widely marketed to institutions, liquidity inflows and persistent demand for staking exposure are likely to have a constructive medium- to long-term price impact. Risks that could temper upside include regulatory delays, custody or custodial insurance gaps, and any technical or governance issues with JitoSOL that reduce institutional takeup.