Grayscale Investments, the largest crypto asset manager in the world, has taken a big step to bring more exposure to NEAR Protocol. The company has officially filed paperwork (Form S-1) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to turn its Grayscale Near Trust (GSNR) into a spot ETF. If approved, this ETF would be listed on the NYSE Arca, making it easier for everyday and institutional investors to invest in NEAR without having to deal with complex wallets or private keys.

This move follows the trend of other cryptocurrencies like Solana and XRP that are also aiming for ETF status. It signals growing interest in altcoins beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

**How the NEAR ETF Will Work**

The proposed ETF will use Coinbase for secure storage of the NEAR tokens and for executing trades. It will also track the CoinDesk NEAR Reference Rate, which gives real-time pricing based on major crypto exchanges. This helps ensure transparency and trust in how the ETF is priced.

A standout feature of this ETF is its staking option. Investors could earn staking rewards—estimated at around 8–10% annually—just by holding shares in the ETF. This sets it apart from traditional crypto ETFs like those for Bitcoin, which don’t offer any yield.

**NEAR Price Reacts to the News**

Right after the news broke, NEAR’s price jumped 3%, rising to $1.54 from a recent low of $1.50. This price boost came even as Bitcoin struggled due to some negative market news. The uptick suggests traders are optimistic about NEAR’s future, especially with new ETF products on the horizon.

Trading volume for NEAR also saw a noticeable jump—up 22% in just 24 hours. Open Interest in NEAR futures climbed to $229 million, showing growing attention from institutional investors. Experts say this move confirms NEAR’s strong position as a key player in the “chain abstraction” space, which focuses on making blockchain tech more user-friendly, especially for AI-powered applications.

**The Rise of Altcoin ETFs in 2026**

Grayscale’s NEAR ETF filing is part of a bigger trend in 2026: more crypto companies are seeking approval for altcoin-based ETFs. Recent filings have included projects like Binance Coin (BNB) and tokens from decentralized exchanges such as Hyperliquid. This signals a shift in investor interest toward a wider range of digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

**What’s Next?**

The SEC usually takes between two to eight months to review these types of filings. If everything goes smoothly, the NEAR ETF could launch as early as Q2 or Q3 of 2026. If approved, it would not only bring more liquidity to NEAR but also pave the way for U.S.-listed crypto ETFs that include staking rewards—a major step in connecting decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional financial markets.

**Key Takeaways:**

– Grayscale wants to convert its NEAR Trust into a spot ETF listed on NYSE Arca.
– Coinbase will manage storage and trading.
– The ETF includes staking rewards, which could offer 8–10% APY.
– NEAR price jumped 3% following the announcement.
– This move is part of a larger wave of altcoin ETFs coming in 2026.
– Approval could come by mid to late 2026, creating more investment opportunities in crypto.

This development marks another major milestone in bringing crypto investing into mainstream financial products—and NEAR might be one of the first altcoins to lead the charge with built-in staking rewards.