Grayscale Investments has made a landmark move in the U.S. crypto market by introducing staking-enabled spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) — allowing investors to earn staking rewards directly through their brokerage accounts.
In a statement released Monday, Grayscale confirmed that its Ethereum products — the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH) and the Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) — are now the first U.S.-listed spot crypto funds to include staking. This represents a historic milestone for the digital asset industry, combining regulated exposure to crypto assets with passive income generation.
Additionally, the Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL) has also enabled staking and is currently awaiting regulatory approval for uplisting as a full ETP. Once approved, it would become the first-ever spot Solana ETP offering staking rewards in the United States.
Expanding Investor Opportunities
By introducing staking into its ETP lineup, Grayscale aims to give investors exposure to the long-term growth and value accrual of leading blockchain networks — namely Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) — while maintaining compliance with U.S. financial regulations.
“Staking in our spot Ethereum and Solana funds is exactly the kind of first-mover innovation Grayscale was built to deliver,” said Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg. “As the #1 digital asset-focused ETF issuer by assets under management, we believe our platform uniquely positions us to convert emerging blockchain opportunities into real investor value.”
Regulatory Framework and Investor Benefits
Grayscale’s staking-enabled products are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, differentiating them from typical crypto ETFs. This structure provides a more traditional regulatory framework while still maintaining direct exposure to crypto assets within the fund.
However, the company clarified that investing in ETHE or ETH does not represent a direct crypto purchase, but rather an investment in funds that hold digital assets. This setup provides both security and accessibility for investors who prefer traditional brokerage platforms over direct wallet-based holdings.
Why This Matters for the Market
This development places Grayscale ahead of other U.S. asset managers, including those that launched spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier in 2025. It also aligns with the growing global trend of integrating staking rewards into mainstream investment products — bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The staking yields offered through these ETPs will depend on network performance and market conditions, but they provide investors with a new avenue for passive income beyond standard price appreciation.
The launch of these staking-enabled products demonstrates that institutional crypto adoption in the U.S. is moving beyond simple exposure to digital asset prices — it’s now embracing network participation and reward mechanisms within a regulated environment.
Grayscale’s staking innovation marks the beginning of a new era in regulated digital asset investing — merging income generation, blockchain utility, and investor protection on a single platform.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.