BlackRock is seeking approval to add staking capabilities to its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), signaling a potential breakthrough in integrating on-chain yield with traditional investment products.
A revised 19b-4 filing submitted by Nasdaq on Thursday proposes allowing ETHA to stake some or all of its ether holdings through trusted third-party providers. If approved by the SEC, ETHA would become the first spot ether ETF in the U.S. to offer staking rewards to shareholders.
The move follows similar proposals from firms like Grayscale and Franklin Templeton, though none have yet received regulatory clearance. BlackRock’s push adds weight to speculation that the SEC may soon provide a path forward for staking-enabled ETFs.
ETHA has already pulled in over $7.2 billion in assets since launching in June 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing crypto products to date. Shares ended Thursday at $25.42.
The addition of staking would enhance the ETF’s appeal by offering investors not just exposure to ETH’s price, but also passive yield—something long available to crypto-native users but absent from regulated vehicles.
Should the SEC grant approval, ETHA could become a landmark product: bridging traditional markets and decentralized finance through Ethereum’s proof-of-stake infrastructure.
