Institutional Staking Meets Traditional Finance: Lessons from the SOLQ ETF Launch
When 3iQ launched Canada’s first Solana staking ETF (SOLQ), it wasn’t just a first-of-its-kind product—it was a blueprint.
The launch of SOLQ represents more than regulated access to protocol rewards; it marks a shift in how structured products interact with decentralized networks. Until now, staking had largely been the domain of crypto-native participants. But with SOLQ, 3iQ has created a compliant, operationally robust product designed for public markets—anchored by a foundation of regulated custody, liquidity management, and institutional staking infrastructure.
As one of the core infrastructure providers to SOLQ, Twinstake was selected to deliver the validator operations, reporting architecture, and monitoring systems required to meet the rigorous demands of ETF operations.
Why This Matters to the Market
Asset managers globally are increasingly exploring staking integration as a way to align long-term crypto exposure with native network participation. But what SOLQ shows is that infrastructure selection is not just a technical choice—it’s a fiduciary one.
Institutional staking in the context of ETFs introduces a unique set of constraints:
- Redemption liquidity requirements
- Audit trail and reporting
- Custodial segregation and counterparty risk
- Validator performance transparency
- Regulatory alignment with jurisdictional guidance
Successful implementation requires combining staking expertise with institutional-grade product architecture. This is where providers like Twinstake serve as risk-calibrated infrastructure partners, delivering solutions that meet rigorous institutional standards.
The launch of SOLQ reflects our commitment to bridging traditional investment vehicles with network participation, without compromising on compliance or control. Partnering with infrastructure providers like Twinstake, who understand both the regulatory and technical dimensions, was critical. As we expand our digital asset product suite, their ability to deliver compliant, secure, and operationally reliable staking solutions continues to be a valuable complement to our strategy.
Pascal St-Jean, President & CEO, 3iQ
Europe to North America: Infrastructure That Crosses Borders
Twinstake brings a proven track record to this collaboration. As the world’s largest staker of ETF and ETP assets in Europe, and the leading infrastructure provider to asset managers across the region, our role in SOLQ reflects the next phase of our evolution: supporting regulated products in North America with the same degree of security, transparency, and service.
SOLQ represents a clear evolution in how regulated investment products engage with blockchain networks. As asset managers explore protocol-level participation, infrastructure must not only meet institutional expectations—it must be purpose-built to navigate the operational, compliance, and risk standards these products demand. That’s where our role begins.
Andrew Gibb, CEO, Twinstake
Where the Industry Goes from Here
The SOLQ ETF will serve as an important litmus test for future structured products considering onchain integration. Its success could catalyze more regionally compliant ETF structures that not only hold digital assets, but also actively participate in the networks behind them.
From product design to infrastructure execution, SOLQ offers three key lessons:
- Compliance is non-negotiable—but it’s also a competitive advantage.
- Multi-provider setups require orchestration, not redundancy.
- Staking infrastructure must evolve beyond crypto-native roots to meet institutional oversight.
As institutions continue exploring this space, the SOLQ model offers a powerful signal: staking in public markets isn’t a concept of the future—it’s a decision of now.
To learn more about staking infrastructure for regulated products, reach out to info@twinstake.io.
