SSK Solana Staking ETF Records Strong First-Day Trading, Signaling Growth in Crypto’s Institutional Adoption
The launch of the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF (SSK) marked a milestone as the first crypto staking ETF available in the U.S., closing its debut session with an impressive $33 million in trading volume, according to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas. Balchunas commented on X that SSK’s opening day activity outpaced the norm for ETF launches, and notably surpassed prior trading levels seen during Solana and XRP futures ETF debuts.
SSK offers investors exposure to Solana (SOL) while enabling them to earn staking rewards without needing to manage staking operations themselves. The fund provides regulated, indirect access to staking, making it simpler for conventional investors to participate in crypto markets.
Its introduction follows a crucial ruling by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in late May, affirming that crypto staking does not breach securities laws—a decision that paved the way for products like SSK to enter the market.
Following the ETF’s debut, Solana (SOL) rose 4%, trading above $150, according to CoinDesk figures.
At the moment, Ethereum staking ETFs are not yet available in the U.S., though Canadian investment firm 3iQ lists one on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published crypto staking guidelines in April, opening the door for ETH staking ETFs to be listed locally.
BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Outpaces Flagship S&P 500 Fund in Fee Revenue
In other news, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has overtaken the company’s flagship iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) in annual revenue, according to research from Presto Research.
Even though IBIT controls $75 billion in assets — far below IVV’s $624 billion — its 0.25% management fee generates approximately $187.2 million in annual income. By comparison, IVV’s much lower 0.03% fee leads to slightly less total revenue, despite handling significantly more assets.
“IBIT’s fee is about 8.3 times higher than IVV’s,” Presto reported, noting that institutional investors are ready to pay a premium for regulated crypto exposure, reflecting rising demand from large investors.
The research highlights that while the S&P 500 ETF market has become commoditized with ultra-low fees, crypto ETFs like IBIT still command higher prices, largely thanks to BlackRock’s trusted reputation that reassures institutional investors looking to enter the crypto space.
With IBIT leading inflows among bitcoin ETFs, Presto stressed that institutional crypto adoption is no longer a distant prospect—it’s happening now.
Market Recap – July 3, 2025
- Bitcoin (BTC):
BTC advanced 3.6%, trading above $109,000, buoyed by rising volume and new support between $109,064–$109,359. Optimism over the U.S.-Vietnam trade agreement lifted sentiment, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. - Ethereum (ETH):
ETH surged 8.6% to $2,608, driven by institutional buying and higher trading volumes. Key support has developed at $2,565, while resistance is seen around $2,617. - Gold:
HSBC lifted its forecasts for gold prices in 2025 and 2026 to $3,215 and $3,125 per ounce, citing heightened geopolitical risks and solid investor interest. - Nikkei 225:
The Nikkei 225 dipped 0.15%, as investors in Asia-Pacific remained cautious ahead of further details on the U.S.-Vietnam trade deal. - S&P 500:
The S&P 500 added 0.47%, closing at 6,227.42, supported by enthusiasm over the new trade pact, though a surprise drop in June private payrolls raised fresh concerns about U.S. economic strength.
