The push to onboard the next billion crypto users has gained significant momentum. This week, Solana experienced a major leap toward mainstream adoption, highlighted by two key developments: Franklin Templeton, a $1.6 trillion asset management firm, launched its first Solana ETF, and fintech innovator Revolut integrated Solana payments directly into its app, potentially reaching tens of millions of new users.
This combination of events validates Solana’s ambition to become a high-throughput blockchain for real-world applications, moving it beyond the realm of purely speculative crypto assets.
Franklin Templeton’s Solana ETF (SOEZ), now trading on NYSE Arca, provides investors with regulated exposure to SOL, Solana’s native token. This isn’t just about price appreciation; SOEZ aims to capture staking rewards, allocating up to 100% of the fund’s holdings to staking. The ETF tracks SOL’s price using the CME CF Solana-Dollar Reference Rate.
With Coinbase Custody handling secure SOL storage and BNY Mellon overseeing administration, transfer agent duties, and cash custody, Franklin Templeton brings institutional-grade security and compliance to the Solana ecosystem. This launch expands Franklin’s existing crypto offerings, which include Bitcoin (EZBC), Ethereum (EZET), XRP (XRPZ), and a broad Crypto Index ETF (EZPZ) that now incorporates SOL alongside assets like Dogecoin and Chainlink.
The “SOEZ” Ticker Symbol
The ETF’s ticker symbol, “SOEZ” (pronounced “so easy”), is a deliberate nod to Solana’s vibrant community. Franklin Templeton even acknowledged the meme-friendly vibe on X, signaling their understanding of the Solana ethos. This clever branding positions SOEZ as an accessible bridge for traditional investors entering the Solana space.
“This positions SOEZ as a seamless bridge for traditional investors into Solana, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption.”
The timing is also noteworthy, coinciding with a growing wave of Solana ETFs potentially being approved under a more crypto-friendly SEC environment.
Adding to the momentum, Revolut, the UK-based neobank with 65 million users and 15 million crypto accounts, has rolled out native Solana integration for payments, transfers, and staking directly within its app. This integration marks a significant step forward for Solana adoption.
Previously, Revolut users were limited to trading and investing in SOL. Now, they can send and receive SOL, USDT, and USDC on Solana for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, withdrawals, and even earn staking rewards. This leverages Solana’s impressive throughput of up to 30,000 transactions per second (TPS) for near-instant, low-fee transactions – significantly faster than traditional banking systems or even some competing blockchains like Ethereum.
Solana Gateway to Europe
Revolut’s integration effectively transforms it into a major “on-rampon-ramp” for Solana, exposing its vast European user base to the ecosystem. Users can stake SOL in-app, earning yields and contributing to network participation without the need for external wallets. This complements Revolut’s existing support for BTC, ETH, XRP, and stablecoins like USDC/USDT.
This move underscores Solana’s growing appeal for real-world payments, building on previous integrations with platforms like Stripe and ahead of the upcoming Solana Breakpoint 2025 conference.
These announcements signal a surge in both institutional and retail interest in Solana. ETFs like SOEZ have the potential to attract billions in inflows, while Revolut’s vast user base opens doors for everyday SOL spending, potentially driving further price appreciation. Analysts project SOEZ’s fee waiver (0% on the first $5B AUM until May 2026) could capture significant market share from competitors like Bitwise’s BSOL.
The convergence of institutional investment vehicles like SOEZ and consumer-friendly payment solutions like Revolut could create a powerful flywheel effect. As more capital flows into Solana and more users adopt it for everyday transactions, the network’s value and utility are poised to increase exponentially, solidifying its position as a major player in the future of finance. The long-term impact could pressure rivals and regulators to adapt to this rapidly evolving landscape.
