Ethereum and Solana ETFs Hit $220M Record Volume in Early 2026

Ethereum Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) saw some crazy trading action in early January 2026, which is a pretty big deal for the crypto market.

Quick overview

  • Ethereum ETFs experienced record trading volumes on January 2 and 5, indicating strong institutional interest.
  • The sustained volume growth suggests a long-term commitment to Ethereum rather than short-term speculation.
  • Solana ETFs also set a new record with $220 million in trading volume, coinciding with a price recovery for SOL.
  • Institutional interest in crypto is expanding beyond Bitcoin, with Morgan Stanley's Solana ETF filing driving market activity.

Ethereum Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) saw some crazy trading action in early January 2026, which is a pretty big deal for the crypto market – especially when it comes to Institutional involvement. Santiment had reported that Ethereum ETF volumes shot up to record highs on January 2 and 5, setting a new benchmark for the highest daily trading figures outside of that one weird anomaly on August 21, 2025.

What’s different here, though, is that this isn’t just some one-day freakout in response to short-term market fluctuations. This sustained volume is a sign that investors are taking a serious long-term interest in Ethereum.

Santiment says that while Ethereum prices are still tied to the broader Bitcoin trend, this steady ETF growth is a good indicator of more durable market participation, not just a fly-by-night speculative surge.

Ethereum ETF Highlights

  • January 2 and 5 were absolute record days.
  • The volume is sticking around way above what you’d see in a short-term market spike.
  • This is a sign that the institutions and regular folks are both on board.

Solana ETF Smashes Records

Solana ETFs, even though they’re still a relatively new kid on the block, have been racking up some impressive numbers. Santiment notes that they hit a staggering $220 million on a single trading day, which is a new record – and that’s not the only thing that’s exciting. This surge in volume coincided with SOL finally breaking back above the $140 price level – a level it hadn’t hit in a solid 4 weeks.

For newer ETFs, late-stage volume growth is a really big deal. It signals to investors that there’s a lot of liquidity and that they can count on the market to have some confidence and depth of participation in the fund.

Solana ETF Snapshot

  • $220M is a whole new record
  • The old record was just $122M a few days after launch.
  • The timing of this volume surge and the SOL price recovery are perfectly aligned.

Institutional Appetite For More

The big takeaway here is that the growing activity in Ethereum and Solana ETFs is a sign that Institutional investors are becoming increasingly interested in crypto beyond just Bitcoin. That filing from Morgan Stanley for its very first Solana-linked ETF has had a real impact on the market, and analysts say institutional demand is likely to keep driving ETF volumes higher, which would be a real game changer for the entire crypto market.

Institutional Trends

  • Morgan Stanley’s filing has really gotten the attention of all the Solana ETFs.
  • Ethereum ETF growth remains super steady, which is a good sign that the market has some confidence
  • And if institutions keep buying in, you may see a lot more stability in the crypto ETF markets over time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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