Latest Solana Updates: Stablecoin Expansion, ETF Listing, and New Creator Incentives

Solana has recorded several important updates in recent weeks. These include the expansion of the USD1 stablecoin on its blockchain, the launch of a Solana-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) with staking rights in Kazakhstan, and a platform upgrade by Pump.fun aimed at rewarding token creators. 

Together, these events highlight Solana’s growing role in stablecoins, regulated markets, and the memecoin ecosystem.

WLFI Expands USD1 Stablecoin With $100 Million Mint

On August 30, 2025, World Liberty Financial (WLFI) expanded its USD1 stablecoin to Solana with a large-scale mint of 100 million tokens. This followed earlier launches on Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, and TRON.

The mint was confirmed on-chain and is one of the largest stablecoin transactions on Solana this year. According to WLFI, the move underlines its strategy of using fast, low-fee blockchains to issue stablecoins.

• Supply growth: USD1 has grown rapidly since its launch in April 2025, with a total supply reaching $2.4 billion.
• Exchange support: Major exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, and Gate.io already support USD1.
• DeFi integrations: The token is listed on platforms such as JustLend, PancakeSwap, and MoonPay, with further integrations expected.

Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko welcomed the launch, noting that the addition strengthens liquidity across Solana’s DeFi ecosystem.

Broader Visibility Through Political Links

WLFI’s link to former U.S. President Donald Trump has added wider visibility to USD1 beyond crypto-native circles. This connection, combined with the Coinbase listing plans, is expected to increase trading activity.

Kazakhstan Lists First Solana ETF With Staking Rights

On September 5, 2025, Fonte Capital Ltd launched the first Solana ETF with staking rights on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) in Kazakhstan.

The fund, listed under the ticker SETF, offers investors regulated exposure to Solana while also allowing them to earn staking rewards without directly managing tokens.

• Fund structure: Registered under the Astana International Financial Centre, structured as an open-ended investment company.
• Trading currency: Shares are quoted in U.S. dollars.
• Yield projection: Annual staking yields are estimated between 5.5% and 7.5% for 2025.
• Custody and security: Assets are held by BitGo Trust Company, backed by $250 million in insurance.

Regulatory Path to Broader Adoption

Kazakhstan is establishing itself as a testing ground for regulated digital asset funds. By offering both qualified and non-qualified investors access, the ETF lowers entry barriers for conservative investors.

Trading is facilitated by licensed exchanges including Bybit Kazakhstan, ATAIX Eurasia, and Binance Kazakhstan, with Freedom Broker acting as market maker.

Solana’s foundation acknowledged the launch, stating that SETF broadens access to SOL in a secure and regulated way.

Pump.fun Launches Project Ascend With Dynamic Fees

Solana-based platform Pump.fun has introduced Project Ascend, a major upgrade designed to reward token creators and improve sustainability in the memecoin ecosystem.

At the center of the update is Dynamic Fees V1, a fee system that adjusts based on a token’s market capitalization.

• New fee logic: Smaller tokens face higher fees for creators, while larger tokens see fees reduced as they grow.
• Coverage: Applies to both new and existing PumpSwap tokens.
• Incentives: Creators of emerging tokens can now earn 10x higher rewards compared to the old structure.

This update aims to support over 150 daily graduating tokens on Pump.fun, which currently accounts for 80% of token launches in its sector.

Strengthening Solana’s Memecoin Space

Pump.fun reported $2 million in daily fees in August 2025, marking a steady revenue stream. With Project Ascend, the platform redirected a share of revenues toward buying back up to 5% of the PUMP token supply.

Key features of Project Ascend include:

• Higher creator compensation for Solana-based projects.
• Faster application processing times, estimated to be 10 times quicker.
• Legacy token support, where abandoned projects see fees redirected to active communities.

Conclusion

The recent updates highlight Solana’s growing influence across different areas of the digital asset market. WLFI’s $100 million USD1 mint has strengthened liquidity and confirmed Solana’s position as a preferred network for stablecoin issuers. In regulated markets, Kazakhstan’s Solana ETF with staking rights has opened access to both institutional and retail investors under a secure framework. Meanwhile, Pump.fun’s Project Ascend has introduced innovation in memecoin tokenomics, offering better rewards for creators and supporting long-term sustainability. Together, these developments emphasize Solana’s rising presence in stablecoins, ETFs, and token creation platforms, reinforcing its role within the broader crypto economy.

Resources:

1. Fonte Capital registers first-ever Solana ETF With staking: https://fonte.kz/en/news/fonte-capital-registers-the-world%E2%80%99s-first-solana-etf-with-staking

2. Pumpfun announcement about Ascend: https://x.com/pumpdotfun/status/1962916227090731353

3. USD1 launch on Solana announcement: https://x.com/worldlibertyfi/status/1962348972481098198

4. WLFI X platform: https://x.com/worldlibertyfi