Canary Capital Drops Bombshell: First-Ever SEI ETF Filing Shakes Crypto Markets

Wall Street’s latest crypto play isn’t Bitcoin—it’s SEI. Canary Capital just fired the starting gun on what could become the most contentious ETF battle since spot BTC approvals.

Why it matters: The ’Sei Ecosystem ETF’ would give institutional investors exposure to one of crypto’s fastest-growing layer-1 chains—without the headaches of self-custody. Translation: another way for suits to pretend they understand blockchain while collecting 2% management fees.

The twist: SEI’s price spiked 18% on the rumor, proving once again that nothing pumps altcoins like Wall Street’s FOMO. Just don’t ask about the tokenomics.

• Canary Capital files with the SEC for the Canary Staked SEI ETF, offering direct exposure to SEI, the native token of the Sei Network.
• The ETF integrates a staking mechanism, earning additional SEI tokens as staking rewards while validating transactions on the Sei Network.
• BitGo Trust and Coinbase Custody will safeguard the SEI tokens, with strong insurance policies to mitigate risks.

Canary Capital has officially submitted a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a groundbreaking new exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Canary Staked SEI ETF. This innovative fund aims to provide investors with direct exposure to the price of SEI, the native token of the Sei Network, while simultaneously generating additional SEI tokens through staking.

New: @CanaryFunds officially files a prospectus with the SEC for a Staked SEI ETF. pic.twitter.com/NqXmdQWmjP

The ETF seeks to track the spot market price of SEI, with the price benchmark to be set by CoinDesk Indices, Inc., which will serve as the official pricing source. The fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) will be calculated daily at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, based on spot prices aggregated from multiple digital asset trading platforms.

The fund has emphasized that it will not rely on derivatives; instead, it plans to hold actual SEI tokens in custody. Canary Capital has expressed strong support for this direct-hold approach, citing it as a key factor in the fund’s appeal to institutional investors.

To ensure the security of the SEI tokens, BitGo Trust Company, Inc. and Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC have been designated as custodians of the fund. These entities will be responsible for safeguarding the digital assets, though the ETF is not backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Nevertheless, both custodians have strong insurance policies in place through private providers to mitigate potential risks. Canary Capital noted that this dual-custodian structure adds an extra layer of protection for investors.

One of the ETF’s most compelling features is its ability to provide traditional investors with an easy avenue to gain exposure to SEI, all through a standard brokerage account. This removes the complexities of managing private keys or navigating the blockchain, simplifying the process of crypto investment. According to Canary Capital, this ease of access could be a major driver of adoption among mainstream investors.

Canary Capital SEI Staked ETF and Proof-of-Stake

The Canary Staked SEI ETF also incorporates a staking mechanism that will actively validate transactions on the Sei Network using the proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus protocol. This process will not only validate transactions but will also allow the ETF to earn additional SEI tokens as staking rewards, adding a layer of potential yield on top of price appreciation.

Canary Capital has filed an S-1 registration statement with the U.S. SEC for the launch of the Canary Staked SEI ETF, an exchange-traded product designed to track the price of SEI and earn additional SEI through participation in the network’s PoS mechanism. Custody will be…

While the ETF will be engaged in staking, it will do so under strict regulatory frameworks, ensuring all activities adhere to established guidelines. The fund will work closely with recognized validators to facilitate staking, and all actions will be overseen by the appointed custodians to maintain asset security.

This move represents Canary Capital’s first ETF focused on the Sei Network, marking another step in its strategy to broaden its portfolio of crypto-based investment products. The firm had previously filed for a similar ETF centered around TRX (Tron), indicating a growing initiative to offer staking-enabled crypto ETFs.

The Canary Staked SEI ETF is designed with the goal of reducing barriers to entry for traditional investors seeking exposure to digital assets, while also offering a straightforward, secure method of participation.

By combining direct token exposure with staking rewards, the ETF aims to simplify the investment process and comply with current regulatory standards. Approval from the SEC is still pending, with the potential for a future launch that could reshape the way traditional investors interact with the burgeoning world of digital assets.

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