TLDR
- VanEck’s new ETF, VAVX, tracks AVAX and staking rewards for investors.
- VAVX is the first U.S.-listed fund offering exposure to Avalanche’s AVAX token.
- The fund waives fees for the first $500 million in assets until February 28.
- Avalanche’s AVAX ranks 33rd by market cap in the cryptocurrency space.
VanEck, a prominent investment management firm, has launched the first-ever U.S.-listed exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on the Avalanche blockchain’s native token, AVAX. This new fund, known as the VanEck Avalanche ETF (ticker symbol: VAVX), officially began trading on January 26, 2026.
The ETF aims to provide investors with exposure to the price return and potential staking rewards of AVAX. This launch marks an important milestone in the growing trend of cryptocurrency ETFs on U.S. markets.
The Avalanche Foundation welcomes the official announcement of VanEck's AVAX ETF ($VAVX), listed today on the Nasdaq.
This reflects growing institutional confidence in Avalanche as a high-performance blockchain platform built for scale, customization, and real-world deployment. pic.twitter.com/pibIJsluae
— Avalanche Foundation 🔺 (@AvalancheFDN) January 26, 2026
The fund is the first of its kind to track the price performance of AVAX while offering the additional benefit of staking rewards. As a result, investors will have the opportunity to participate in both the price movements and potential staking returns of the AVAX token. VanEck’s decision to include staking rewards further differentiates this ETF from other cryptocurrency-based funds, enhancing its appeal to long-term investors.
VanEck’s Strategy Behind the Launch
VanEck’s decision to launch the VAVX ETF reflects the company’s growing commitment to digital assets. According to Kyle DaCruz, the Director of Digital Assets at VanEck, Avalanche’s unique blockchain architecture makes it well-suited to connect traditional finance with the on-chain economy. “Avalanche’s architecture is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the on-chain economy, focusing on verifiable, real-world utility,” said DaCruz.
Avalanche, launched by Ava Labs in 2020, is known for its focus on scalability and interoperability. The platform is compatible with Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM), which enables it to support decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. With its emphasis on speed and low transaction fees, Avalanche has gained significant traction in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
Key Details of the New ETF
The VanEck Avalanche ETF is designed to give investors exposure to AVAX’s price movements and staking rewards without needing to directly hold or manage the token themselves. AVAX is currently ranked the 33rd-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, and it is one of the prominent tokens in the cryptocurrency market.
VanEck has waived the sponsor fees for the ETF until February 28, 2026, or until the fund reaches $500 million in assets, whichever occurs first. After this initial period, the sponsor fee will be set at 0.20%. This fee structure is intended to incentivize early adoption and make the ETF more attractive to investors looking to gain exposure to AVAX.
VanEck’s Expanding Crypto ETF Lineup
This new launch adds to VanEck’s growing portfolio of cryptocurrency ETFs. The firm had previously launched funds tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. With the introduction of the VAVX, VanEck is expanding its offering to include a token focused on Avalanche, one of the leading blockchains in the cryptocurrency industry.
The VAVX ETF’s introduction follows a broader trend of increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrency-based investment vehicles. As more investors seek ways to gain exposure to digital assets in a regulated manner, VanEck’s launch of this ETF may open the door for more blockchain-based funds in the future.
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