Grayscale Investments has launched its Avalanche Staking ETF under the ticker GAVA on Nasdaq. This ETF enables direct exposure to the AVAX token. The product converts the previously private Avalanche Trust into a publicly traded exchange-traded fund (ETF). It also includes potential staking rewards from Avalanche’s proof-of-stake mechanism.
The launch comes after multiple filings and amendments with the SEC throughout 2025 and early 2026. Now, investors can access AVAX and its associated yields through traditional brokerage accounts without having to manage cryptocurrency directly.
Grayscale’s Path to GAVA Launch
Grayscale launched the Avalanche Trust in August 2024 to provide accredited investors with a way to invest in AVAX. The following year, the firm filed a registration statement to convert the trust into a spot ETF listed on Nasdaq. Throughout this process, several changes were made, including the introduction of staking options in December 2025 and January 2026.
These enhancements allowed the fund to stake up to 70% of its AVAX holdings, enabling it to earn additional returns by participating in the network. Coinbase Custody is responsible for managing the digital assets, while BNY Mellon oversees administration and transfers.
In early March 2026, the final updates were implemented, allowing for public trading, and the trust was renamed the Grayscale Avalanche Staking ETF. However, unlike typical mutual funds, this exchange-traded product (ETP) is not subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, which means investors face higher volatility and the risk of losing their principal.
AVAX’s Price Reaction
Trading for GAVA started today, after Grayscale announced it through a fun animated video on X. The message focused on easy access to AVAX and the benefits of staking, quickly grabbing the attention of the crypto community. Market watchers, however, noted that the news appears to have had a limited immediate impact on the AVAX price.
Earlier ETF-related developments, such as filing amendments that included staking provisions, had triggered temporary rallies, including an 11% jump in AVAX following staking inclusion updates and a 9% weekly gain after prior Grayscale S-1 amendments. However, by March 2026, AVAX had stabilized in a lower range around $9.51, influenced more by broader market conditions than by isolated excitement over the Grayscale product.
The ETF joins a growing list of altcoin options following Bitcoin and Ethereum’s spot approvals, signaling progress in staking regulation. If this product succeeds, it might lead competitors to offer similar products, connecting decentralized networks with traditional finance.
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Faith | March 12, 2026
