VanEck Solana ETF
For the period ended Jun 30, 2026. Filed Aug 13, 2026.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Jun 30, 2026 · Filed Aug 13, 2026
VSOL$11.68-0.1%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2026-03-31; filed 2026-05-14.
0000930413-26-001610
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2026-06-30; filed 2026-08-13.
0000930413-26-002503
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 26 previous paragraphs and 39 current paragraphs.
14 unchanged; 8 reworded; 16 added; 2 removed; 2 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (16)
Current report
The Trading Prices Of Many Digital Assets, Including SOL, Have Experienced Extreme Volatility In Recent Periods And May Continue To Do So. Extreme Volatility In The Future, Including Further Declines In The Trading Prices Of SOL, Could Have A Material Adverse Effect On The Value Of The Shares And The Shares Could Lose All Or Substantially All Of Their Value.
Current report
The trading prices of many digital assets, including SOL, have experienced extreme volatility in recent periods and may continue to do so. For instance, there were steep increases in the value of certain digital assets, including SOL, over the course of 2021, and multiple market observers asserted that digital assets were experiencing a “bubble.” These increases were followed by steep drawdowns throughout 2022 in digital asset trading prices, including for SOL. These episodes of rapid price appreciation followed by steep drawdowns have occurred multiple times throughout SOL’s history. SOL prices have continued to exhibit extreme volatility through the date of this Report.
Current report
SEC and CFTC brought civil securities and commodities fraud charges, against certain of FTX’s and its affiliates’ senior executives, including its former CEO. In addition, several other entities in the digital asset industry filed for bankruptcy following FTX’s bankruptcy filing, such as BlockFi Inc. and Genesis Global Capital, LLC (“Genesis”). In response to these events (collectively, the “2022 Events”), the digital asset markets have experienced extreme price volatility and other entities in the digital asset industry have been, and may continue to be, negatively affected, further undermining confidence in the digital asset markets. Some sources report the price of SOL declined 94% overall in 2022, including over 50% in the two months following FTX’s declaration of bankruptcy. The 2022 events have also negatively impacted the liquidity of the digital asset markets as certain entities affiliated with FTX engaged in significant trading activity. If the liquidity of the digital asset markets continues to be negatively impacted by these events, digital asset prices, including SOL, may continue to experience significant volatility or price declines and confidence in the digital asset markets may be further undermined. In addition, regulatory and enforcement scrutiny has increased, including from, among others, the Department of Justice, the SEC, the CFTC, the White House and Congress, as well as state regulators and authorities, and the digital asset industry remains subject to significant attention from regulators, legislators and policymakers. These events are continuing to develop and the full facts are continuing to emerge. It is not possible to predict at this time all of the risks that they may pose to the Trust, its service providers or to the digital asset industry as a whole.
Current report
The price of some digital assets, including SOL, has risen following the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Many expect the new administration to facilitate a supportive regulatory approach toward the digital asset industry. Through his executive orders, President Trump has indicated that the administration will work toward providing greater regulatory clarity for blockchain technology and digital assets, thereby fostering their development in the U.S. Similarly, the digital asset industry expects favorable legislation from the new U.S. Congress as certain members have expressed interest in advancing digital asset specific legislation. There can be no assurance that market expectations around future activity by the administration or Congress will be fulfilled, or that digital asset prices will rise or maintain their current levels. Some commentators have referred to the digital asset market post-President Trump’s election as a bubble. There can be no assurance that such a bubble does not exist. The failure of the administration and Congress to provide the expected level of regulatory clarity and support for blockchain technology and digital assets, could lead to a decline in digital asset prices, including SOL. Such a decline could cause a decline in the value of the Shares and cause Shareholders to suffer losses. Moreover, there can be no assurance that political dynamics and sentiments toward the digital asset industry, or market perceptions of those sentiments, will not shift over time.
Current report
On March 6, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order for the “Establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile” (the “Order”). The Order requires the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury to establish two offices to administer and maintain a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” (the “Bitcoin Reserve”) and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile (the “Digital Asset Stockpile”), respectively. The Bitcoin Reserve is intended to be capitalized with bitcoin forfeited as part of U.S. criminal or civil proceedings or in satisfaction of penalties imposed by executive agencies. The Order directs the Secretaries of the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce to develop budget-neutral strategies for acquiring additional bitcoin for the Bitcoin Reserve. As established by the Order, the Bitcoin Reserve will not contain SOL, and there can be no assurance, and there is no present indication, that it would be changed to include SOL in the future. The Digital Asset Stockpile is intended to be capitalized initially with digital assets other than bitcoin forfeited as part of criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings, which could include SOL; however, there will be no new acquisitions of SOL as part of the Digital Asset Stockpile. While legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives that would direct the acquisition of one million bitcoin by the federal government over a five-year period, no similar federal legislation has been introduced that would expressly provide for acquiring SOL. Even if such legislation providing for the acquisition of SOL were to be introduced at the federal level, it could fail to pass. If now or in the future, the U.S. federal government or any state government or any instrumentality thereof does not announce SOL acquisition plans, or does announce such plans but these plans fall short of market expectations, the price of SOL may decline, which may impact Share value. Further, executive orders such as the Order are subject to change and can be reversed or overturned. The enduring existence and size of the Digital Asset Stockpile is subject to complex challenges and uncertainty that makes it difficult to evaluate its effect on the value of SOL and the Shares, now or in the future. There can be no assurance that any particular legislation will ever be introduced or passed at either the federal or state level providing for the acquisition of SOL by governmental instrumentalities.
Current report
Extreme volatility in the future, including further declines in the trading prices of SOL, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. Furthermore, negative perception, a lack of stability and standardized regulation in the digital asset economy may reduce confidence in the digital asset economy and may result in greater volatility in the price of SOL and other digital assets, including a depreciation in value. The Trust is not actively managed and does not take any actions to take advantage, or mitigate the impacts, of volatility in the price of SOL.
Current report
A Temporary Or Permanent “Fork” Or A “Clone” Of The Solana Blockchain Could Adversely Affect The Value Of The Shares.
Current report
The Solana Network operates using open-source protocols, meaning that any user can download the software, modify it and then propose that the users and validators of SOL adopt the modification. When a modification is introduced and a substantial majority of users and validators’ consent to the modification, the change is implemented and the network remains uninterrupted. However, if less than a substantial majority of users and validators’ consent to the proposed modification, and the modification is not compatible with the software prior to its modification, the consequence would be what is known as a “hard fork” of the Solana Network, with one group running the pre-modified software and the other running the modified software. The effect of such a fork would be the existence of two versions of SOL running in parallel, yet lacking interchangeability. For example, in September 2022, the Ethereum Network transitioned to a proof-of-stake model, in an upgrade referred to as the “Merge.” Following the Merge, a hard fork of the Ethereum Network occurred, as certain Ethereum miners and network participants planned to maintain the proof-of-work consensus mechanism that was removed as part of the Merge. This version of the network was rebranded as “Ethereum Proof-of-Work.”
Current report
A hard fork may adversely affect the price of SOL at the time of announcement or adoption. For example, the announcement of a hard fork could lead to increased demand for the pre-fork digital asset, in anticipation that ownership of the pre-fork digital asset would entitle holders to a new digital asset following the fork. The increased demand for the pre-fork digital asset may cause the price of the digital asset to rise. After the hard fork, it is possible the aggregate price of the two versions of the digital asset running in parallel would be less than the price of the digital asset immediately prior to the fork. Furthermore, while the Trust would be entitled to both versions of the digital asset running in parallel, the Sponsor, as permitted by the terms of the Trust Agreement, determines which version of the digital asset is generally accepted as the Solana Network and should therefore be considered the appropriate network for the Trust’s purposes, and there is no guarantee that the Sponsor will choose the digital asset that is ultimately the most valuable fork. Either of these events could therefore adversely impact the value of the Shares.
Current report
A significant upcoming planned protocol upgrade referred to as “Alpenglow” was announced by the core developers in May 2025 and aims to reduce transaction finality time and enhance network security. Alpenglow is anticipated to introduce a new consensus architecture that is intended to replace Solana’s existing Tower BFT consensus mechanism and remove Proof-of-History (PoH) and on-chain vote transactions with a redesigned protocol composed of Votor and Rotor. Votor is an off-chain consensus mechanism intended to increase the speed of finalizing blocks for faster transaction confirmation, whereas Rotor is a block propagation mechanism intended to replace the existing Turbine protocol to reduce block transmission times and cost. As of the date of this Report, Alpenglow remains under development and is expected to be implemented in phases, with the first phase, introducing Votor, expected to activate on the Solana mainnet in the third quarter of 2026, and a later phase expected to introduce Rotor. Validators and the core developers have been testing the new consensus protocol on a community cluster in advance of the migration, and issues identified in that testing are being addressed. There can be no assurance Alpenglow will be implemented properly, or at all, and Alpenglow and future anticipated upgrades, if any, could fail to work as expected or create vulnerabilities, bugs, defects, outages, disruptions or other problems. Any failure to successfully implement Alpenglow or other future upgrades could undermine confidence in the Solana Network, disrupt application functionality, reduce validator participation and in turn could adversely affect the price of SOL, value of the Shares or the ability of the Trust to operate.
Current report
Competition From The Emergence Or Growth Of Other Digital Assets Or Methods Of Investing In SOL Could Have A Negative Impact On The Price Of SOL And Adversely Affect The Value Of The Shares.
Current report
As of September 23, 2025, SOL was the 6th largest digital asset by market capitalization, as tracked by CoinMarketCap.com. As of September 23, 2025, the alternative digital assets tracked by CoinMarketCap.com had a total market capitalization of approximately $3.87 trillion (including the approximately $116.5 billion market cap of SOL), as calculated using market prices and total available supply of each digital asset, excluding tokens pegged to other assets. SOL faces competition from a wide range of digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. SOL is also supported by fewer regulated trading platforms than more established digital assets, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which could impact its liquidity. In addition, SOL is in direct competition with other smart contract platforms, such as Ethereum, Polkadot, Avalanche and Cardano. Competition from the emergence or growth of alternative digital assets and smart contracts platforms, such as EOS, Tezos, Tron and numerous others, could have a negative impact on the demand for, and price of, SOL and thereby adversely affect the value of the Shares. If other blockchain networks with smart contracts or similar capabilities better meet the needs of users, application developers and/or validators, whether due to higher performance or otherwise, or prove to be more popular than SOL for any reason, it could lead to less activity on the Solana blockchain and lower demand for SOL, causing the price of SOL and the value of the Shares to decline.
Current report
In addition, some digital asset networks, including the Solana Network, may be the target of ill will from users of other digital asset networks. These users may attempt to negatively impact the use or adoption of the Solana Network.
Current report
Investors may invest in SOL through means other than the Shares, including through direct investments in SOL and other potential financial vehicles, possibly including securities backed by or linked to SOL and digital asset financial vehicles similar to the Trust, or other futures-based products. Market and financial conditions, and other conditions beyond the Sponsor’s control, may make it more attractive to invest in other financial vehicles or to invest in SOL directly, which could limit the market for, and reduce the liquidity of, the Shares. In addition, to the extent digital asset financial vehicles other than the Trust tracking the price of SOL are formed and represent a significant proportion of the demand for SOL, large purchases or redemptions of the securities of these digital asset financial vehicles, or private funds holding SOL, could negatively affect the Index, the Trust’s SOL holdings, the price of the Shares, the net asset value of the Trust and the NAV.
Current report
U.S. federal and state regulators, as well as the White House, have issued reports and releases concerning crypto assets, including SOL and crypto asset markets. Further, in 2023 the House of Representatives formed two new subcommittees: the Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee and the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, each of which were formed in part to analyze issues concerning crypto assets and demonstrate a legislative intent to develop and consider the adoption of federal legislation designed to address the perceived need for regulation of and concerns surrounding the crypto industry. However, the extent and content of any forthcoming laws and regulations are not yet ascertainable with certainty, and it may not be ascertainable in the near future. A divided Congress makes any prediction difficult. The impact of these and other related events on the Trust, the digital asset industry, and the value of the Shares cannot be predicted.
Current report
FinCEN requires any administrator or exchanger of convertible digital assets to register with FinCEN as a money transmitter and comply with the anti-money laundering regulations applicable to money transmitters. Entities which fail to comply with such regulations are subject to fines, may be required to cease operations and could have potential criminal liability. For example, in 2015, FinCEN assessed a $700,000 fine against a sponsor of a digital asset for violating several requirements of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as amended (“BSA”), by acting as an MSB and selling the digital asset without registering with FinCEN and by failing to implement and maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program. In 2017, FinCEN assessed a $110 million fine against BTC-e, a now defunct digital asset exchange, for similar violations. The requirement that exchangers that do business in the United States register with FinCEN and comply with anti-money laundering regulations may increase the cost of buying and selling SOL and therefore may adversely affect the price of SOL and an investment in the Shares.
Removed paragraphs (2)
Previous report
The 2022 Events, including among others the bankruptcy filings of FTX and its subsidiaries, Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, Genesis, BlockFi and others, and other developments in the digital asset markets, have resulted in calls for heightened scrutiny and regulation of the digital asset industry, with a specific focus on intermediaries, such as digital asset exchanges, platforms and custodians. Federal and state legislatures and regulatory agencies may introduce and enact new laws and regulations to regulate crypto asset intermediaries, such as digital asset exchanges and custodians. The March 2023 collapses of Silicon Valley Bank, Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, which in some cases provided services to the digital assets industry, may amplify and/or accelerate these trends. On January 3, 2023, the federal banking agencies issued a joint statement on crypto-asset risks to banking organizations following
Previous report
events which exposed vulnerabilities in the crypto-asset sector, including the risk of fraud and scams, legal uncertainties, significant volatility and contagion risk. Although banking organizations are not prohibited from crypto-asset related activities, the agencies have expressed significant safety and soundness concerns with business models that are concentrated in crypto-asset related activities or have concentrated exposures to the crypto-asset sector.
Reworded paragraphs (8)
Previous wording
The regulatory landscape surrounding Staking Activities is highly uncertain and may expose the Sponsor, the VSOL Custodian, Staking Services Providers, and the Trust and its shareholders to unforeseen litigation or potential SEC enforcement actions. For example, there is a risk that the agreements for staking services could constitute an “investment contract” under the federal securities laws and therefore be deemed a security, requiring registration or reliance on an exemption from registration. In May 2025, staff of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance issued a statement (the “SEC Staking Statement”) expressing the view that certain staking activities do not involve the offer and sale of securities within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and we believe that the Staking Arrangements satisfy the criteria set forth in this statement. However, the SEC Staking Statement is not a rule, regulation, guidance, or statement of the SEC, and has no legal force or effect. In addition, on March 17, 2026, the SEC issued an interpretive release (the “Interpretive Release”), in which the SEC reached a similar conclusion with respect to certain staking activities. Although the Interpretive Release represents the official position of the SEC, it is not itself a statute or binding rule, and a court or future administration could take a different view.
Current wording
The regulatory landscape surrounding Staking Activities is highly uncertain and may expose the Sponsor, the SOL Custodian, Staking Services Providers, and the Trust and its shareholders to unforeseen litigation or potential SEC enforcement actions. For example, there is a risk that the agreements for staking services could constitute an “investment contract” under the federal securities laws and therefore be deemed a security, requiring registration or reliance on an exemption from registration. In May 2025, staff of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance issued a statement (the “SEC Staking Statement”) expressing the view that certain staking activities do not involve the offer and sale of securities within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and we believe that the Staking Arrangements satisfy the criteria set forth in this statement. However, the SEC Staking Statement is not a rule, regulation, guidance, or statement of the SEC, and has no legal force or effect. In addition, on March 17, 2026, the SEC issued an interpretive release (the “Interpretive Release”), in which the SEC reached a similar conclusion with respect to certain staking activities. Although the Interpretive Release represents the official position of the SEC, it is not itself a statute or binding rule, and a court or future administration could take a different view.
Previous wording
Accordingly, there is a risk that a court could disagree with the views expressed in the SEC Staking Statement or the Interpretive Release or that the SEC could withdraw the statement. In that case, or if VSOL were deemed a security, there would also be a risk that a Staking Services Provider could be deemed to be acting as a broker-dealer, on the basis that the Staking Services Provider is receiving a commission for effecting the staking transactions and receipt of staking rewards.*** ***
Current wording
Accordingly, there is a risk that a court could disagree with the views expressed in the SEC Staking Statement or the Interpretive Release or that the SEC could withdraw the statement. In that case, or if SOL were deemed a security, there would also be a risk that a Staking Services Provider could be deemed to be acting as a broker-dealer, on the basis that the Staking Services Provider is receiving a commission for effecting the staking transactions and receipt of staking rewards.*** ***
Previous wording
There remains substantial uncertainty regarding the regulation of digital assets, including SOL, and their markets, notwithstanding certain recent federal interpretive actions intended to provide additional clarity. On March 17, 2026, the SEC issued the Interpretive Release regarding the application of the federal securities laws to certain types of digital assets and certain transactions involving digital assets., and the CFTC concurrently provided guidance that it and its staff will administer the Commodity Exchange Act consistent with that interpretation. Among other things, the Interpretive Release introduces a taxonomy for crypto addresses how a non-security crypto asset may become subject to, and may cease to be subject to, an investment contract; and clarifies the application of the federal securities laws to airdrops, protocol mining, protocol staking and the wrapping of a non-security crypto asset. Although the March 17, 2026 interpretive guidance may provide greater clarity in certain respects, this guidance is not binding law, may be revised, and does not eliminate uncertainty, particularly with respect to the regulatory treatment of specific activities or transactions involving crypto assets.
Current wording
There remains substantial uncertainty regarding the regulation of digital assets, including SOL, and their markets, notwithstanding certain recent federal interpretive actions intended to provide additional clarity. On March 17, 2026, the SEC issued the Interpretive Release regarding the application of the federal securities laws to certain types of digital assets and certain transactions involving digital assets, and the CFTC concurrently provided guidance that it and its staff will administer the Commodity Exchange Act consistent with that interpretation. Among other things, the Interpretive Release introduces a taxonomy for crypto assets; addresses how a non-security crypto asset may become subject to, and may cease to be subject to, an investment contract; and clarifies the application of the federal securities laws to airdrops, protocol mining, protocol staking and the wrapping of a non-security crypto asset. Although the March 17, 2026 interpretive guidance may provide greater clarity in certain respects, this guidance is not binding law, may be revised, and does not eliminate uncertainty, particularly with respect to the regulatory treatment of specific activities or transactions involving crypto assets.
Previous wording
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury Department”) has added digital currency addresses, including on the Solana Blockchain, to the list of Specially Designated Nationals whose assets are blocked, and with whom U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing. Such actions by OFAC, or by similar organizations in other jurisdictions, may introduce uncertainty in the market as to whether SOL that has been associated with such addresses in the past can be
Current wording
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury Department”) has added digital currency addresses, including on the Solana Blockchain, to the list of Specially Designated Nationals whose assets are blocked, and with whom U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing. Such actions by OFAC, or by similar organizations in other jurisdictions, may introduce uncertainty in the market as to whether SOL that has been associated with such addresses in the past can be easily sold. This “tainted” SOL may trade at a substantial discount to untainted SOL. Reduced fungibility in the SOL markets may reduce the liquidity of SOL and therefore adversely affect their price.
Previous wording
Whether a digital asset is a security under the federal securities laws depends on whether it is included in the lists of instruments making up the definition of “security” in the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act. Digital assets as such do not appear in any of these lists, although each list includes the terms “investment contract” and “note,” and the SEC has typically analyzed whether a particular digital asset is a security by reference to whether it meets the tests developed by the federal courts interpreting these terms, known as theHoweyandRevestests, respectively. For many digital assets, whether or not theHoweyorRevestests are met is difficult to resolve definitively, and substantial legal arguments can often be made both in favor of and against a particular digital asset
Current wording
Whether a digital asset is a security under the federal securities laws depends on whether it is included in the lists of instruments making up the definition of “security” in the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act. Digital assets as such do not appear in any of these lists, although each list includes the terms “investment contract” and “note,” and the SEC has typically analyzed whether a particular digital asset is a security by reference to whether it meets the tests developed by the federal courts interpreting these terms, known as theHoweyandRevestests, respectively. For many digital assets, whether or not theHoweyorRevestests are met is difficult to resolve definitively, and substantial legal arguments can often be made both in favor of and against a particular digital asset qualifying as a security under one or both of theHoweyandRevestests. Adding to the complexity, the SEC staff has indicated that the security status of a particular digital asset can change over time as the relevant facts evolve.
Previous wording
In the Interpretive Release, the SEC stated that, based on its current understanding of the digital asset markets, SOL is a “digital commodity” and not itself a security. Although the Interpretive Release represents the official position of the SEC, it is not itself a statute or binding rule, does not supersede or replace the Howey test, is based on the SEC’s current understanding of the digital asset markets, and may be refined, revised or expanded. In addition, a court, regulator, or future administration could take a different view, and future legislation, rulemaking, enforcement positions, judicial decisions or other developments could result in ether, the Trust, the Shares or transactions involving SOL being treated differently than contemplated by the Interpretive Release. Any such developments could adversely affect the Trust and the value of the Shares. As part of determining whether SOL is a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the Sponsor takes into account a number of factors, including the various definitions of “security” under the federal securities laws and federal court decisions interpreting elements of these definitions, such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in theHoweyandRevescases, as well as reports, orders, press releases, public statements and speeches by the SEC and its staff providing guidance on when a digital asset may be a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, and other materials relevant to the status of SOL as a security (or not). Finally, the Sponsor discusses the security status of SOL with its external securities lawyers. Through this process the Sponsor believes that it is applying the proper legal standards in making a good faith determination that it believes SOL is not presently a security under federal law in light of the uncertainties inherent in theHoweyandRevestests. In light of these uncertainties and the fact-based nature of the analysis, the Sponsor acknowledges that SOL may currently be a security, based on the facts as they exist today, or may in the future be found by the SEC or a federal court to be a security under the federal securities laws notwithstanding the Sponsor’s prior conclusion; and the Sponsor’s prior conclusion, even if reasonable under the circumstances and made in good faith, would not preclude legal or regulatory action based on the presence of a security.
Current wording
In the Interpretive Release, the SEC stated that, based on its current understanding of the digital asset markets, SOL is a “digital commodity” and not itself a security. Although the Interpretive Release represents the official position of the SEC, it is not itself a statute or binding rule, does not supersede or replace the Howey test, is based on the SEC’s current understanding of the digital asset markets, and may be refined, revised or expanded. In addition, a court, regulator, or future administration could take a different view, and future legislation, rulemaking, enforcement positions, judicial decisions or other developments could result in SOL, the Trust, the Shares or transactions involving SOL being treated differently than contemplated by the Interpretive Release. Any such developments could adversely affect the Trust and the value of the Shares. As part of determining whether SOL is a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the Sponsor takes into account a number of factors, including the various definitions of “security” under the federal securities laws and federal court decisions interpreting elements of these definitions, such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in theHoweyandRevescases, as well as reports, orders, press releases, public statements and speeches by the SEC and its staff providing guidance on when a digital asset may be a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, and other materials relevant to the status of SOL as a security (or not). Finally, the Sponsor discusses the security status of SOL with its external securities lawyers. Through this process the Sponsor believes that it is applying the proper legal standards in making a good faith determination that it believes SOL is not presently a security under federal law in light of the uncertainties inherent in theHoweyandRevestests. In light of these uncertainties and the fact-based nature of the analysis, the Sponsor acknowledges that SOL may currently be a security, based on the facts as they exist today, or may in the future be found by the SEC or a federal court to be a security under the federal securities laws notwithstanding the Sponsor’s prior conclusion; and the Sponsor’s prior conclusion, even if reasonable under the circumstances and made in good faith, would not preclude legal or regulatory action based on the presence of a security.
Previous wording
In June 2023, the SEC brought charges against Binance and Coinbase Global, and in November 2023, the SEC brought charges against Kraken, alleging that they operated unregistered securities exchanges, brokerages and clearing agencies. In its complaints, the SEC asserted that several digital assets are securities under the federal securities laws, including SOL. The outcomes of these proceedings, as well as ongoing and future regulatory actions, have had a material adverse effect on the digital asset industry as a whole and on the price of SOL, and may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of an investment in the Shares and/or the ability of the Trust to continue to operate.
Current wording
In June 2023, the SEC brought charges against Binance and Coinbase Global, and in November 2023, the SEC brought charges against Kraken, alleging that they operated unregistered securities exchanges, brokerages and clearing agencies. In its complaints, the SEC asserted that several digital assets are securities under the federal securities laws, including SOL. The SEC subsequently dismissed these enforcement actions. The outcomes of these proceedings, as well as ongoing and future regulatory actions, have had a material adverse effect on the digital asset industry as a whole and on the price of SOL, and may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the nature of an investment in the Shares and/or the ability of the Trust to continue to operate.
Previous wording
The SEC has stated that certain digital assets may be considered “securities” under the federal securities laws. The test for determining whether a particular digital asset is a “security” is complex and the outcome is difficult to predict. If SOL is in the future determined to be a “security” under federal or state securities laws by the SEC or any other agency, or in a proceeding in a court of law or otherwise, it would likely have material adverse consequences for the value of SOL. For example, it may become more difficult or impossible for SOL to be traded, cleared and custodied in the United States as compared to other digital assets that are not considered to be securities, which could in turn negatively affect the liquidity and general acceptance of SOL and cause users to migrate to other digital assets.
Current wording
The SEC has stated that certain digital assets may be considered “securities” under the federal securities laws. The test for determining whether a particular digital asset is a “security” is complex and the outcome is difficult to predict. If SOL is in the future determined to be a “security” under federal or state securities laws by the SEC or any other agency, or in a proceeding in a court of law or otherwise, it would likely have material adverse consequences for the value of SOL. For example, it may become more difficult or impossible for
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
SOL to be traded, cleared and custodied in the United States as compared to other digital assets that are not considered to be securities, which could in turn negatively affect the liquidity and general acceptance of SOL and cause users to migrate to other digital assets.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (2)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
easily sold. This “tainted” SOL may trade at a substantial discount to untainted SOL. Reduced fungibility in the SOL markets may reduce the liquidity of SOL and therefore adversely affect their price.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
qualifying as a security under one or both of theHoweyandRevestests. Adding to the complexity, the SEC staff has indicated that the security status of a particular digital asset can change over time as the relevant facts evolve.