VanEck Launches Avalanche ETF VAVX With Staking Exposure

VanEck launches VAVX ETF, offering U.S. investors AVAX crypto exposure, staking rewards, Nasdaq listing, and regulated investment access.

VanEck has officially launched the VanEck Avalanche ETF under ticker VAVX, offering U.S. investors regulated access to AVAX crypto. The ETF incorporates staking rewards into its Net Asset Value, so that investors receive passive yield while they participate in the scalable blockchain ecosystem of Avalanche. This launch comes in line with growing institutional and retail interest in regulated investing in Avalanche crypto.

VAVX ETF Provides Nasdaq Listing and Staking Rewards

VAVX will list on the Nasdaq stock exchange under generic listing standards, without a separate filing with the SEC for a rule change. VanEck has waived management fees on the first $500 million in assets until February 28, 2026. After this time period, a 0.20% sponsor fee will apply. This structure enables investors to access Avalanche crypto efficiently and also saves money.

The first ever AVAX ETF was listed on the @Nasdaq this morning.

A big win for us all.

Anyways, back to bringing the world onchain🔺 pic.twitter.com/vJO98smNQ9

— Avalanche🔺 (@avax) January 26, 2026

Avalanche is a high-throughput blockchain for interconnected Layer 1 networks for both public and private uses. Its unique consensus protocol offers near-instant transaction finality and secure interoperability between every chain.

Kyle DaCruz, VanEck Director of Digital Assets Product, said that VAVX is aimed at ensuring transparency while encouraging institutional adoption of crypto from Avalanche.

The ETF permits some of AVAX holdings to be staked on Coinbase Crypto Services, which charges a 4% service fee. The first estimated net staking yield is ca. 5.34%. As of late January 2026, AVAX is trading at $11.70 to $11.80, with a circulating supply of more than 431 million and a market capitalization of almost $5 billion, indicating moderate volatility within the crypto market.

Institutional Access, Market Positioning, and Risk Considerations

VAVX gives institutional investors regulated access to the Avalanche crypto without having to manage and store private keys and wallets. The ETF places Avalanche in the same class as Ethereum and Solana in terms of being a top-notch smart contract platform to tokenize real-world assets. VanEck’s fee waiver and staking integration are intended to appeal to retail and professional investors who want diversification in their crypto exposure.

Investors should note that AVAX is still highly volatile when compared to its all-time high of 2021. Staking involves risks such as slashing penalties and possible liquidity lock-ups in times of market stress. Regulatory changes in late 2025 cleared the way for more efficient approval for altcoin ETFs, meaning that VAVX was able to launch efficiently and attract early adopters in the U.S.

VanEck emphasizes that VAVX offers transparent, exchange-traded exposure to Avalanche crypto, which reflects staking rewards. This approach is a way of solidifying the positioning of Avalanche as a scalable and institutional-ready blockchain ecosystem. It also shows the increasing appeal of regulated crypto ETFs to investors who are interested in price exposure and passive income.

Overall, VAVX reflects VanEck’s dedication to regulatory crypto products that strike a balance between innovation, accessibility, and investor protection. The ETF gives US investors the opportunity to gain access to the AVAX crypto, as well as the ability to engage in the staking process, while also providing exposure to a rapidly expanding blockchain network. VanEck’s launch becomes a standard for future altcoin ETFs in regulated markets.