Filing proposes iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, positioning the asset manager for one of the first regulated staking-based ETFs
BlackRock has moved to expand its digital-asset lineup by submitting an application to list a staked Ether exchange-traded fund, marking one of the first attempts to bring staking exposure into a regulated ETF structure in the United States. The filing arrives as institutional demand for Ether yield strategies continues to rise following the approval of spot ETH ETFs in 2024.
BlackRock Files for iShares Staked Ethereum Trust
The company filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, which it aims to list on Nasdaq under the ticker ETHB. If approved, the ETF would provide investors indirect access to staked ETH, allowing them to benefit from Ethereum’s yield-generating mechanism without directly managing tokens.
The filing describes the product as a trust holding Ethereum that is delegated for staking, with rewards accruing into the fund. This would make ETHB among the first SEC-reviewed staking-based offerings, joining a small group of products pursuing similar models.
Growing Competition in Staking-Linked Products
Only a limited number of staking-related funds have been introduced since regulators approved spot Ether ETFs in 2024. Recent examples include a staked Injective proposal from Canary Capital and new Solana-staking products launched by major asset managers. BlackRock’s entry signals growing confidence that U.S. regulators may allow structured staking exposure under tightly controlled conditions.
The filing also builds on the firm’s expansion into digital assets, including the widely traded iShares Bitcoin Trust, the largest U.S. spot bitcoin ETF.
BlackRock’s leadership has shown a notable shift in tone toward cryptocurrencies. CEO Larry Fink, once skeptical, now acknowledges broader adoption trends and the role of tokenized markets—though he continues to characterize bitcoin as an “asset of fear.”
If approved, the staked Ether ETF would represent a major step in bringing yield-based crypto strategies to mainstream investment platforms, potentially reshaping institutional participation in the Ethereum ecosystem.
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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.