Hanwha Asset Management, one of South Korea's leading asset managers overseeing approximately 6.4 trillion won ($4.44 billion), has entered a strategic alliance with the Jito Foundation. The partnership aims to develop the infrastructure for regulated exchange-traded products (ETPs) based on JitoSOL, the largest liquid staking token on the Solana network with a market capitalization of around $1.1 billion.
The agreement covers several key areas of cooperation, including the technical integration of JitoSOL into ETP structures, validation of regulated custody solutions, development of risk management frameworks, and coordination with local authorities on regulatory compliance. A central element is incorporating JitoSOL's dual-yield mechanism—which combines standard staking rewards with those from maximal extractable value (MEV)—into products tailored for the South Korean market.
Choi Young-jin, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Asset Management, highlighted the token's potential, stating it "will become an attractive alternative asset for retirement pension investors looking to diversify their portfolios." He further noted that "JitoSOL provides high returns and liquidity" and may be suitable for long-term retirement products.
This initiative is part of JitoSOL's global expansion of financial products. In January 2026, 21Shares launched the Jito Staked SOL ETP (JSOL) on Euronext in Europe. In the United States, VanEck has a pending S-1 registration statement with the SEC for a JitoSOL ETF.
The regulatory landscape in South Korea is a significant factor. The development of the Digital Asset Basic Act, which seeks to establish a clear framework for crypto asset ETPs, has been delayed beyond its original 2025 deadline due to disputes over stablecoin issuer eligibility. Regulatory pressure to grant exclusive licenses to banks is also creating friction with the private sector. The partners intend to align their work with these evolving digital asset rules, consulting with regulators during the design process and preparing necessary documentation for regulated distribution.
