BlackRock Files Staked Ethereum ETF Amid Institutional Demand
- BlackRock files for a staked Ethereum ETF offering price exposure and staking yield.
- Coinbase Custody will secure ETH while the SEC reviews the ETF registration process.
- The filing expands competition among issuers building institutional staking products.
BlackRock filed a new application for a staked Ethereum ETF, and the market reacted with a sharp price jump. The fund is the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, and it aims to combine price exposure with staking rewards.
BlackRock submitted a Form S-1 to the SEC for the planned ETF. The document confirmed that the fund will hold ETH and collect staking rewards through approved validators. BlackRock wants the ETF to track Ether’s price while also generating yield from staking activities. The structure uses no leverage, derivatives, or lending.
The company named Coinbase Custody as the primary custodian to secure the ETH. Anchorage Digital appears in the filing as an alternative custodian to reduce concentration risk. BlackRock plans to list the ETF on Nasdaq under the ticker ETHB. Only authorized participants will handle the creation and redemption of shares in large blocks.
The filing also expands BlackRock’s growing crypto lineup. The firm already manages the largest spot Bitcoin ETF under the ticker IBIT. Its Ethereum fund now holds more than $11 billion in assets. The company aims to capitalize on rising interest in yield-based crypto strategies.
Other companies, such as Grayscale, added staking to their existing Ethereum trusts in October. The update made Grayscale one of the first issuers to offer staking features in a regulated trust. BlackRock now wants to enter that segment with a new product. The move highlights increasing competition around ETH-linked offerings.
SEC Review Will Shape the Launch Timeline
The ETF will launch only after the SEC completes its review. BlackRock waits for the registration to become effective before it begins trading. The timeline remains uncertain because the agency has not given any guidance.
The filing shows clear demand for regulated Ethereum products. Large institutions seek exposure to ETH without handling custody or staking operations. The ETF could provide that access in a familiar market structure. Investors also want staking rewards included within regulated frameworks.
BlackRock included detailed information on custody, staking, issuance, redemption, and administration. The SEC will examine every section before issuing a decision. The review also covers risk disclosures related to staking activities. The outcome may influence future filings from other issuers.
Several firms continue to explore staked-asset products as demand grows. Staking now plays a central role in the Ethereum ecosystem. ETF issuers want regulated access for institutions that cannot stake directly.
Related: Vanguard Opens Doors to Crypto ETFs After Years of Resistance
Ethereum Price Reacts Strongly
Ethereum gained over 7% after BlackRock released the filing. The price climbed to around $3,180 during the session. Traders welcomed signs of rising institutional interest. ETH still trades inside a wide range, with immediate resistance between $3,160 and $3,220, and support sits between $2,730 and $2,850.
ETH stays trapped between these levels for now. Analysts expect more movement when the SEC reveals its decision. Traders now look for clearer direction as conditions evolve. The SEC review outcome could influence Ethereum’s next major move.
