Speculation about a change in SEC leadership has fueled rumors of an incoming spot Solana ETF.
VanEck’s Head of Digital Asset Research, Matthew Sigel, believes the industry will get one by 2025.
In the meantime, $SOL’s regulatory position as either a commodity or security remains unclear.
The likelihood of this ETF will depend on whether this status changes in the future.
If we get a spot Solana ETF, $SOL will likely outperform $ETH within the first few months.
Things are about to change massively in the US for the crypto industry.
One of the latest updates is that of a possible Solana spot ETF approval within the country.
According to industry experts like VanEck’s Head of Digital Asset Research, Matthew Sigel, there is a “high likelihood” of such an ETF being approved by the end of 2025.
Keep in mind that Solana, on its own, is experiencing massive growth within the sector, according to data from Dune analytics and other sources.
In essence, we could be seeing a massively bullish year for the $SOL between now and 2025.
Here are some of the biggest developments to be aware of.
To start with, the US presidential elections on 5 November considerably shifted the environment in favor of crypto assets.
According to speculation, Donald Trump’s victory is largely seen as a catalyst for a more crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Trump is also expected to implement changes to replace Gary Gensler's aggressive stance on regulation with a more libertarian approach.
According to VanEck’s Matthew Sigel in a conversation with the Financial Times.
Sigel believes that a change in the SEC could pave the way for several more crypto ETFs, including one focused on Solana, within the following year.
2024 was an excellent year for the ETF market, with the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in January and July, respectively.
However, the US regulatory stance is much more cautious than Europe, which has embraced an even wider selection of assets.
Sigel believes that this change in leadership could lead to a more accommodating stance:
One that benefits asset managers who have filed for altcoin ETFs.
Even without the ETF, Solana is known for its speed and low transaction costs.
These factors have made it the preferred platform for launching tokens. In 2024 alone, the blockchain accounted for a staggering 89% of all tokens created, according to Dune Analytics.
Put simply, the network's scalability makes it very attractive to developers and investors.
A spot Solana ETF, in short, could be a big deal for the crypto industry.
Dune analytics data further shows that the Solana ecosystem has seen a surge in token launches—especially with the memecoins.
Solana’s popularity skyrockets
Platforms like pump.fun have helped to add over 3.3 million new tokens to the crypto ecosystem, with over 180,000 created in just one week.
The popularity of Solana in the memecoin market shows the massive rate of adoption it enjoys, particularly with investors looking for quick profits.
If a Solana ETF were to be approved next year, as Sigel predicts, this ongoing demand (along with the incoming supply shock) would likely help it outperform the Ethereum ETF market in the first few months.
Keep in mind, though, that the SEC’s legal battles with major players like Ripple and Coinbase have made things very challenging for digital assets.
However, with this change in leadership, the regulatory landscape could become more favorable and allow more innovative products like Solana ETFs.
According to Matt Hougan in an interview with the Financial Times, the previous election results are a "game changer" for the crypto industry.
This means that the launch of a spot Solana ETF could be a major milestone—one that offers investors exposure to one of the most dynamic blockchain networks. Such a product could drive mainstream adoption and provide a gateway for institutional investors to enter the Solana ecosystem.
The possibility of a Solana ETF in 2025 is still under massive speculation in the crypto industry.
Solana’s robust ecosystem and growing appeal help it to stand out from other major chains in the market.
However, its current classification as a security by the SEC could pose major challenges.
If this change in leadership at the SEC comes into effect, the cryptocurrency has a chance at reclassification.
Until then, the chances of a spot Solana ETF continues to hang in the balance.
In the meantime, as the market matures, regulators and investors must navigate this delicate space carefully.
Whether Solana can transform its current popularity into an even brighter future remains to be seen.
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