- The fund was established on November 19 under the Securities Act of 1933.
- Before the product could be marketed, an S-1 registration statement would need to be filed with the SEC.
- ETHA, BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF, has gathered over $13 billion in inflows.
BlackRock has taken another step toward an Ethereum ETF focused on staking by forming a new statutory trust in Delaware, signaling renewed activity in the fast-growing market for yield-generating crypto products.
The fund, named iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, was officially formed on November 19, according to state filings.
Although the filing does not include product documents, it reflects the broader industry shift toward staking features in regulated ETFs.
This move allows BlackRock to explore yield-bearing structures while competitors such as Grayscale, Fidelity, 21Shares, Franklin Templeton and REX-Osprey pursue their own staking plans for major digital asset funds.
Delaware trust expands BlackRock’s Ethereum plans
The new trust was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, a statute that requires full disclosure before any product is offered to investors.
This registration represents an initial step, rather than a full filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
To proceed, BlackRock would still need to file an S-1 form, though the company has not provided a specific timeline.
Delaware remains a popular jurisdiction for early-stage ETF formation because of its well-established regulatory framework, and BlackRock has frequently used this route when preparing digital asset products.
Connection to BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF strategy
The new trust sits alongside ETHA, BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF launched in July 2024.
ETHA has attracted more than $13 billion in inflows and currently does not hold staking positions.
Nasdaq filed a 19b-4 in July 2025 to permit ETHA to stake ETH with approved validators.
If approved, the update would introduce staking rewards while requiring detailed disclosures on custody arrangements, risk mitigation, validator selection, and the handling of illiquid or locked ETH.
Ethereum staking rewards typically range from about 3% to 5% annually, and issuers must explain how they will track, calculate, and distribute those rewards.
Growth of staking-focused ETFs
BlackRock’s move comes as the broader ETF market accelerates toward staking-supported products.
Grayscale received approval in October 2025 to add staking to ETHE and its Mini Trust ETF, becoming the first Ethereum funds under the 1933 Act authorized to generate staking rewards.
Other issuers, including Fidelity, 21Shares, Franklin Templeton and REX-Osprey, have made similar filings.
REX-Osprey already operates a staked Solana ETF and launched a staked Ethereum version in September.
Robert Mitchnick, head of BlackRock’s digital assets, said staking features in ETFs could attract $10 billion to $20 billion by mid-2026.
Analysts now anticipate that a potential S-1 filing by BlackRock would be the next catalyst, bringing the new trust closer to becoming a yield-generating Ethereum ETF.
Rising market interest in Ethereum staking
ETF analysts say expanded staking options could lock up significant amounts of ETH in regulated products, affecting liquidity and long-term supply dynamics.
The combination of new filings, updated fund structures and growing capital inflows has intensified competition among issuers.
BlackRock’s new trust marks another step in that evolution, highlighting how institutional demand for Ethereum staking continues to reshape the ETF landscape.