Solana (SOL) has seen a significant increase in on-chain activity recently, with daily transactions rising by 34% in June, according to a report on Crypto News. This surge comes amid speculation surrounding the potential launch of Spot Solana ETFs. VanEck and 21Shares were the first to file for these ETFs, igniting early-stage excitement among investors.
Quick Take
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VanEck and 21Shares file for Spot Solana ETFs, sparking investor excitement, and driving Solana price to $153.
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Daily transaction volume increased by 34% in June.
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Solana dominates 25% of DEX trading volume and ranks fourth in NFT sales, as per data on The Block.
VanEck made the initial move by filing for a Spot Solana ETF. Not long after, 21Shares followed suit. The filings have created a buzz in the crypto community, with many anticipating the possible outcome of these proposed crypto funds.
Read more: VanEck Files for First Solana ETF in the U.S.: A Potential Game Changer?
Why a Solana ETF Makes Sense
Cboe Exchange confirmed that VanEck intends to introduce a Solana-based Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). Matthew Sigel, VanEck’s Head of Digital Assets Research, clarified that the choice of Solana over XRP was driven by technical and regulatory factors. He emphasized that no single entity holds control over 20% of the Solana network or has the capacity to halt the chain, underscoring the importance of decentralization.
Challenges of Spot XRP ETFs
Addressing the potential for an XRP ETF, Sigel identified two main challenges: internal convention and customer demand. These factors make XRP a less likely candidate for consideration. The ETF decision-making process involves multiple stakeholders, including exchanges, market makers, and custodians, who engage in complex deliberations.
Ethereum vs. Solana: ETFs
Solana market dominance | Source: VettaFi
Sigel noted that the decentralization characteristics and blockchain structure of both Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) are similar. This aspect is crucial for asset managers, as the SEC has frequently highlighted decentralization in its crypto assessments. Matthew Sigel expressed confidence in the prospects of a Solana ETF, despite the challenges posed by the lack of a regulated futures market. He highlighted VanEck’s successful deployment of Solana ETFs in Europe, which positions them advantageously in navigating regulatory hurdles and market dynamics for innovative financial products.
A recent review identified the existence of a federally-regulated futures market as a key criterion for an asset to be considered for ETF approval. Currently, only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) meet this requirement. Sigel pointed out that several ETFs in the market do not have a significant futures market, suggesting this precedent might facilitate the approval of the first Solana ETF in the US.
Sigel outlined the steps necessary for bringing a Solana ETF to market, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity. He indicated that once a SOL ETF is established, issuers might explore ETFs for other proof-of-stake coins. Over time, the foundational elements could lead to the development of top 5 or top 3 ETFs.
Read more: Solana vs. Ethereum: Which Is Better in 2024?
Political Impact on Solana ETFs
A senior Bloomberg ETF analyst, Eric Balchunas, highlighted the political implications of the Solana ETF approval. The final deadline for approval is mid-March 2025, with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November playing a crucial role. If President Joe Biden is re-elected, the ETFs are likely “dead on arrival.” Conversely, if former President Donald Trump wins, the approval of Solana ETFs becomes more probable.
Solana Price Surges to $153 on ETF News
SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin
The news of the Spot Solana ETF filings had an immediate positive impact on Solana’s price. After dropping from a June high of $175 to a monthly low of $124, Solana’s price shot up to $153 following the ETF news. This excitement has led to a significant increase in on-chain activity.
On-Chain Activity Surge
Solana’s daily transaction volume increased from 32.7 million at the start of June to 43.8 million by the end of the month, marking a 34% growth. The Block also reports the highest non-vote transactions on Solana in the past two years. Additionally, Solana claimed 25% of trading volume in the decentralized exchange (DEX) market, recording $38.4 billion in June and ranking fourth in NFT sales.
Read more: Solana Flips Ethereum in Daily Active Addresses in June: CMC H1 2024 Report
Despite the recent spike in activity, Solana is trading at $135 as of this writing. The cryptocurrency has shown a 620% growth in the past year, and the ongoing buzz about Spot Solana ETFs is set to push it higher.
Solana’s Market Sentiment Remains Bullish for the Long Term
The sentiment around Solana remains neutral according to analysts. The token’s circulating supply is 463.962 million SOL, with a total supply of 579.994 million SOL. The token’s market cap is $67.08 billion, making it the 5th largest cryptocurrency in the global market. The traded volume of Solana was worth $1.8 billion in the last 24 hours, with a market cap dominance of 2.97%.
Solana has shown resilience by rebounding from a recent low, advancing by 20%. Despite trading below its 50-day EMA, indicating short-term bearish pressure, the 50-day and 200-day EMAs suggest a long-term bullish sentiment. Technical indicators show mixed signals, with a neutral sentiment overall. The market awaits further developments, especially with the potential impact of the upcoming Solana ETF.
Solana Token Unlocks
Solana token allocation and token unlock progress | Source: Coinmarketcap
Solana’s 89.56% of tokens are unlocked, resulting in 662.73 million SOL, with 77.27 million Solana tokens still locked. The fully diluted market cap of Solana is worth $83.186 billion, and 8.53% of the token supply is distributed among Solana’s team.
Conclusion
VanEck’s decision to pursue a Solana-based ETF reflects a strategic approach influenced by technicalities and regulatory considerations. The emphasis on decentralization and the potential to navigate existing regulatory frameworks are central to this initiative. As the cryptocurrency landscape evolves, VanEck’s efforts to introduce a Solana ETF underscore the dynamic nature of the market and the ongoing quest for regulatory clarity. This development highlights the broader trend of integrating blockchain technology into mainstream financial products, paving the way for future innovations in the ETF space.
