BlackRock Lists Staked Ethereum ETF on Nasdaq

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TLDR

  • BlackRock has debuted the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF on the Nasdaq exchange, trading under the ticker symbol ETHB.
  • The investment vehicle offers exposure to spot ether while simultaneously generating on-chain staking yields.
  • ETHB represents the inaugural cryptocurrency ETF from BlackRock to feature integrated staking capabilities.
  • The fund features a 0.25% sponsor fee, with a promotional rate of 0.12% applied to the initial $2.5 billion in assets for the first year.
  • BlackRock anticipates interest from a diverse range of participants, including retail traders, financial advisors, hedge funds, and family offices.

BlackRock has officially listed its iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF on the Nasdaq. By combining spot Ether exposure with staking rewards, the product broadens the firm’s existing suite of digital asset ETFs.

BlackRock expands crypto lineup with staking-enabled ether fund

On Thursday, BlackRock initiated trading for its iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB). The fund maintains holdings in spot ether and stakes a portion of those assets on the Ethereum network, allowing investors to pursue both price appreciation and staking-derived income within a single investment vehicle.

This launch serves as BlackRock’s third U.S. crypto ETF, following the iShares Bitcoin Trust and the iShares Ethereum Trust. Notably, ETHB is the firm’s first fund to incorporate on-chain staking.

Jay Jacobs, BlackRock’s U.S. head of equity ETFs, noted that the product was developed in response to investor preferences. Jacobs told CoinDesk that the initiative focuses on providing choice, specifically for those seeking to combine ether exposure with staking yields.

Ethereum utilizes a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism that provides incentives to token holders. By locking their coins to assist in transaction validation and network security, participants earn rewards, which are frequently categorized as yield.

Previously, most ether ETFs lacked staking functionality. While some managers, such as Grayscale, have launched similar products, Jacobs observed that the absence of these features had deterred crypto-native investors from utilizing ETFs.

“Some investors who already hold ether directly were staking it,” Jacobs explained, noting their reluctance to forfeit that benefit when moving to an ETF. Consequently, ETHB is designed to preserve the advantages of staking within a regulated investment framework.

BlackRock targets broader adoption as allocations remain low

BlackRock has set a 0.25% sponsor fee for ETHB, though it will offer a reduced fee of 0.12% on the first $2.5 billion in assets for the first year.

The firm currently manages approximately $130 billion in tokenized funds and crypto-related exchange-traded products. According to BlackRock, iShares accounted for roughly 95% of digital asset ETP inflows in 2025, with IBIT and ETHA managing over $55 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively.

Jacobs observed that institutional allocations to digital assets remain modest, typically ranging from 1% to 2%. At these levels, he suggested that the risk profile of crypto assets is comparable to that of major technology stocks.

“For some institutions, when they evaluate an investment, they want to think about it from a cash flow perspective,” Jacobs said.

He noted that staking rewards could help align with that investment philosophy. The firm expects the fund to attract interest from hedge funds, family offices, financial advisors, and individual traders.

Looking ahead, Jacobs stated that BlackRock remains committed to increasing the adoption of bitcoin and ether ETFs. “We’re still in the early days of digital asset ETF adoption,” he remarked, noting that many investors are still in the process of learning about the asset class.