BlackRock Poised to Launch Staked Ethereum ETF, Signaling Major Shift in Crypto Investment Landscape

Global asset management titan BlackRock is reportedly moving to introduce a groundbreaking “Staked Ethereum ETF,” according to recent filings with the Delaware Department of State. The firm has officially registered a trust entity named “iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF,” a clear indicator of its strategic expansion into the evolving world of cryptocurrency investment products.

The registration document was submitted by Daniel Schweiger, a Managing Director at BlackRock, who played a pivotal role in the launch of the company’s spot Ethereum ETF in late 2023. This Delaware registration is widely recognized as a preliminary step before an official listing application is submitted to regulatory bodies, specifically the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Bloomberg ETF Senior Analyst Eric Balchunas underscored the significance of this development, anticipating that BlackRock will file its formal application for the Staked Ethereum ETF in the near future.

BlackRock is planning to file for a Staked Ethereum ETF, as per the Delaware name registration. ’33 Act. Filing coming soon. pic.twitter.com/NmAsQhcq5D

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) November 19, 2025

A Growing Trend: Staking Functionality in Ethereum ETFs

BlackRock’s move is part of a broader industry trend. As early as July, Nasdaq filed an amendment seeking to incorporate staking mechanisms into BlackRock’s existing spot Ethereum ETF (ticker: ETHA). Similarly, other prominent digital asset managers, including 21Shares and Grayscale, have also submitted updated applications to introduce staking capabilities for their respective Ethereum ETFs.

Despite recent market fluctuations, BlackRock’s ETHA remains the largest Ethereum ETF globally. As of November 17, its assets under management (AUM) stood at nearly $11.5 billion. However, the fund has experienced approximately $165 million in net outflows recently, reflecting the broader pullback observed across the cryptocurrency market.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape for Staking Yields

While the U.S. SEC has shown a more accommodating stance towards cryptocurrency-related products, funds that genuinely offer “staking yield” to investors remain a niche offering. The regulatory path for such products can be complex, often requiring innovative approaches to compliance.

Pioneering efforts in this space include Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) and Mini Ethereum Trust ETF (ETH), which secured approval in October this year. These became the first cryptocurrency spot ETFs registered under the Securities Act of 1933 to allow investors to earn staking rewards directly. In parallel, REX-Osprey has pursued an alternative strategy, launching Solana Staking ETF and Ethereum Staking ETF in July and September, respectively, utilizing the less common Investment Company Act of 1940 framework.

What This Means for Investors

The potential launch of an iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF by BlackRock could significantly broaden access for institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to Ethereum’s growth while also benefiting from staking rewards. This development signals a maturation of the crypto investment landscape, offering more sophisticated and yield-generating products within traditional financial structures. As regulatory clarity continues to evolve, the integration of staking into mainstream ETFs is set to redefine how investors engage with digital assets.