BlackRocks requests approval for Ethereum ETF Staking from SEC.
On 10th May 2025, BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager, has approached the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for talks with regards to staking opportunities for its approved exchange-traded funds (ETF) that are invested in cryptocurrencies. The firm wants to introduce staking for its approved ETF offerings, which would generate additional returns for investors.
BlackRock officials and officials from the agency’s digital assets unit were said to have had discussions about whether ETF-owned assets could be put into staking use, according to SEC published minutes of a meeting. The details of the meeting were not made available, but discussion about putting BlackRock’s existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF into staking use was what made it into a published account. Since BlackRock only has Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs now, Ethereum (ETH) would be used primarily for putting into staking use under this plan.
BlackRock also modified its S-1 filing for its Ethereum ETF, proposing direct payment allowances of ETH to consumers, switching from cash-settled arrangements. During the meeting, the company provided an update on its suite of crypto offerings, including the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), and tokenized real-world asset fund BUIDL. Latest figures show that IBIT has over 591,000 BTC worth $60 billion with a 51% category share, and ETHA is holding 1.2 million ETH worth $3 billion with a 36.5% share. The BUIDL fund is worth $2.8 billion, retaining the world’s biggest real-world asset (RWA) fund designation.
BlackRock expected future U.S. crypto regulations would continue driving tokenization of blockchain-based assets, further integrating traditional and decentralized finance. BlackRock also sought clarifications about what restrictions were put on options contracts on BlackRock’s SEC-approved Ethereum ETF effective back in April 2025.
Other heavyweight applicants, including 21Shares, Jito, and Canary Capital, also had SEC ETF staking applications delayed or greeted with silence, similar to Grayscale. During the Trump era, the SEC has been overhauled, including having a crypto-progressive such as Paul Atkins become chairman, forming a dedicated digital assets unit, and dropping or delaying legal actions against big crypto firms. The agency has even made a determination on clearing securities status for Proof-of-Work coins and meme coins. Altcoin ETF approvals were not made, however, with recent decisions on LTC, DOGE, and XRP ETF delays, though firms are still applying for ETF proposals for altcoins such as BNB, SEI, and SUI.
Bitcoin ETFs saw strong inflows following a slow February and March, with over $3 billion coming into them towards the end of April, which set overall inflows of a record $40.3 billion, separate from price gains.
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