Solana’s Faster, Cheaper Staking ETF May Leapfrog Ethereum

Published: 2025-10-02 12:59:20 |

At Token2049 in Singapore, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley highlighted that Solana’s unstaking design enables faster asset returns and lower fees, giving it an edge over Ethereum in the race for a regulated Solana staking ETF. Ethereum’s withdrawal queues exceed 2 million ETH with average waits of 34 days, hampering issuers who need quick liquidity. The US government shutdown and SEC furloughs have further delayed SEC reviews of staking ETF proposals from Bitwise, Fidelity, Grayscale and BlackRock. By contrast, Solana’s efficient unstaking process could allow a Solana staking ETF to launch first, offering investors a safe, convenient way to earn SOL rewards without on-chain staking. Final rulings on both Solana and Ethereum staking ETFs are expected in the coming weeks. Traders should monitor regulatory updates, network demand metrics and SEC decisions, as a first-to-market Solana staking ETF could significantly affect SOL market sentiment.

Bullish

This news is bullish for SOL. In the short term, a first-to-market Solana staking ETF could drive increased buying interest and positive sentiment as investors seek regulated access to SOL staking rewards. Lower fees and faster redemptions make the product attractive, likely boosting SOL demand around the ETF launch. In the long term, successful approval may establish Solana as a leading staking asset in the ETF space, encouraging broader institutional inflows and reinforcing network growth, which could support sustained price appreciation.