The SEC has officially begun reviewing a proposal to add staking functionality to BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF, marking a potential game-changer for crypto investors.
Key Details of the Proposal
✅ SEC acknowledged Nasdaq’s filing on July 25
✅ 21-day public comment period now open
✅ 90-day deadline for SEC decision (could extend to April 2026)
✅ If approved, ETF would stake all or part of its ETH holdings
Why This Matters
- First major US ETH ETF to potentially offer staking
- Shareholders would earn rewards (likely 3-5% annually)
- Could attract billions in institutional ETH investments
What Experts Are Saying
🔹 Bloomberg’s Seyffart: “Likely approved by year-end”
🔹 Nasdaq’s argument: Staking aligns with securities laws, protects investors
🔹 Market reaction: ETH price holds steady at $3,771
Regulatory Hurdles Remain
⚠️ SEC recently delayed Bitwise’s staking proposal
⚠️ Mixed signals from regulator on crypto staking
⚠️ Final decision could take until 2026