SEC Likely to Reject Solana ETF Filings Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
According to DLNews, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to reject several applications for Solana spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), potentially deferring the decision to the next administration. Reports indicate that at least two out of five potential issuers have been informed of the likely rejection. Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, citing sources, suggested that the SEC is unlikely to approve any new crypto ETFs during the Biden administration. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas described this as SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s 'parting gift.' Analyst James Seyffart also noted that the SEC’s Trading and Markets division is unlikely to approve a Solana ETF due to the agency's current classification of Solana as a security or securities offering. Seyffart suggested that Gensler might prefer to leave the decision to the next administration.Several major firms, including Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital, have submitted applications to launch Solana ETFs. Institutional interest in Solana has been increasing, driven by its speed, scalability, and rising user activity. Eliezer Ndinga, head of strategy at 21.co, emphasized Solana's growing appeal to investors, noting the ecosystem's momentum. Solana's rapid growth in 2024, with its SOL token rising 160% year-to-date, has further attracted institutional attention. Looking forward, analysts anticipate a shift under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, known for his crypto-friendly stance and support for digital asset innovation. Trump's regulatory appointments, including Atkins, Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, indicate a potentially more favorable approach to crypto markets. Analysts like Seyffart believe that the approval of Solana ETFs is a matter of 'when, not if,' with the Trump administration expected to create new opportunities for crypto-friendly capital markets. Gensler is set to step down as SEC chairman on January 20. If Gensler blocks the Solana ETF approvals, Balchunas anticipates that issuers will refile under the Atkins administration.