BlackRock Moves to Add Staking to iShares Ethereum ETF Following SEC Greenlight

BlackRock is seeking to enhance its iShares Ethereum Trust (ticker: ETHA) by incorporating staking features, according to a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) submitted Thursday.

This move follows the SEC’s recent approval of the first-ever staking crypto exchange-traded product—the REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF—earlier this month, signaling a shift toward broader acceptance of staking-based ETFs.

The Nasdaq submitted the amendment under SEC Rule 19b-4, which governs proposals from national securities exchanges for fund listings. The updated filing outlines plans to stake “all or a portion” of the ETH held by the Trust via one or more reputable staking providers. Importantly, the proposal clarifies that the Trust will not pool its ether with other entities or take on the risks associated with slashing or blockchain forks on behalf of the fund.

BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF currently relies on Coinbase as both custodian and prime execution agent, and the exchange appears positioned to also serve as the staking partner.

READ MORE:

House Clears Path for Landmark Crypto Bills: Vote Set for Thursday

With rival firms like Grayscale and 21Shares already pursuing similar updates to their Ethereum vehicles, BlackRock’s move could accelerate a trend toward integrating yield-generating mechanisms into regulated crypto investment products.

If approved, the change would allow investors in ETHA to benefit from staking rewards without directly managing crypto infrastructure—potentially boosting appeal for institutional and retail investors alike.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.