Latest Developments with Solana Crypto Project - Part 2

Recent happenings have presented a unique scenario for the Solana crypto project, with rumors of an investigation adding pressure, and VanEck's proposed spot ETF on SOL contributing to the cryptocurrency's price upsurge.

Solana's Current Position

Solana has faced a turbulent period over the last two years. Following the collapse of FTX crypto exchange, its primary supporter in 2022 and 2023, doubts loomed over the project's future. Despite initial skepticism, Solana defied expectations by registering a rapid rise in the SOL rate.

Coin investors will recall the summer of 2024 for positive reasons. Speculation regarding a potential regulatory inquiry into Solana emerged towards the end of June, coinciding with the launch of innovative tools like Actions and Blinks by the project team. These tools facilitate URL hosting across various platforms and enable transactions via Solana.

A significant development occurred on June 27, 2024, when VanEck submitted an application for a spot Solana-ETF. The potential launch of such an instrument could lead to a surge in SOL demand and offer institutional investors easier access to the coin. Notably, BeInCrypto had previously interviewed experts who foresaw spot ETFs on SOL, citing the project's strong community and technical prowess as key factors for their choice.

Despite these positive strides, SOL investors faced setbacks as the price of Solana plummeted by 30% since March 2024.

Impact on the Market

A momentous event unfolded in the cryptocurrency market as VanEck declared its intent to introduce a spot Solana-ETF, just as the launch of a similar tool for Ethereum was anticipated. With reports suggesting that investors may access the spot Solana-ETF from July 2, 2024, momentum has been building.

Following the approval of spot Ethereum-ETFs, the US Securities and Exchange Commission dropped all charges against Ethereum, paving the way for a smoother regulatory path. Although indications of unlawfully issued securities were found in Solana, explicit statements from the commissioners about other alternative coins remain elusive.

VanEck asserts SOL's compliance with US securities laws, disputing any grounds for the SEC to reject their spot Solana-ETF application.

Response from the Community

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas believes that the absence of an extensive investment instrument list for SOL compared to Ethereum might hinder spot Solana-ETF launches. Balchunas suggests that a change in the US presidency could influence regulatory dynamics within the crypto industry, aligning with the hopes of many in the community who anticipate regulatory leniency under certain leadership.

While Balchunas remains cautiously optimistic about potential changes, another Bloomberg analyst predicts that spot Solana-ETF trading may not commence until at least 2025. This viewpoint resonates with a segment of the crypto community awaiting the debut of spot Solana-ETFs as a pivotal advancement for alternative cryptocurrencies.