VanEck Launches First U.S. Avalanche ETF on Nasdaq

• VanEck launched VAVX on Nasdaq, giving U.S. investors regulated exposure to AVAX price performance and staking rewards.
• Sponsor fees are waived on the first $500M until Feb 28, 2026, after which the ETF will charge a 0.2% fee.
• The ETF shows Avalanche growth, with rising DeFi TVL, stablecoin supply, and stronger institutional access.

VanEck officially launched the first U.S.-listed Avalanche spot ETF, VAVX, on Nasdaq on Monday, January 6, 2026. The fund offers investors exposure to Avalanche’s native token, AVAX, including potential staking rewards. VanEck waived sponsor fees for the first $500 million or until February 28, 2026, before implementing a 0.2% fee.

Fund Details and Market Access

Kyle DaCruz, VanEck Digital Assets Director, highlighted the fund’s transparency and access to the Avalanche ecosystem. VAVX provides a regulated, exchange-traded vehicle for U.S. investors to track AVAX price performance.

The ETF indicates Avalanche’s growing decentralized finance ecosystem. Data from DeFiLlama shows total value locked (TVL) on Avalanche reached approximately 91.92 million AVAX by late 2025. Additionally, stablecoin supply on Avalanche increased to over 1.65 billion USDT following the U.S. Genius Act.

The VAVX fund began trading under Nasdaq’s ticker symbol VAVX. It tracks both AVAX price returns and staking rewards, making it the first U.S.-listed product of its kind. The launch builds on VanEck’s prior crypto ETFs, which include funds tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

Avalanche Blockchain and Strategic Positioning

Avalanche, launched by Ava Labs in 2020, is an EVM-compatible blockchain designed for scalable, interoperable, and smart contract-capable applications. Its architecture enables automatic contract execution and facilitates decentralized finance solutions.

VanEck emphasized Avalanche’s unique positioning to link traditional finance with on-chain blockchain activity. According to DaCruz, the network supports verifiable real-world utility while bridging traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure. AVAX is currently ranked as the 33rd-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

The launch of VAVX highlights growing institutional access to Avalanche. The ETF’s fee waiver period and regulated structure aim to attract investors while supporting market transparency. VanEck’s introduction of VAVX positions the firm at the forefront of U.S.-listed blockchain ETFs.