BlackRock Expands Beyond $11B ETH Fund With Staked Ethereum ETF Filing

Core Insights - BlackRock is launching the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, marking its first U.S. product that provides direct staking exposure for institutional investors, reflecting a growing demand for yield-generating crypto strategies [1][7] - The trust will issue shares that represent fractional beneficial interests in its ether assets, capturing both ETH price performance and staking rewards, which are intended to enhance net asset value [2] Custody and Administration Structure - The trust will utilize a multi-custodian structure, with Coinbase Custody Trust Company serving as the ETH custodian and The Bank of New York Mellon acting as cash custodian and administrator [3] - Anchorage Digital Bank is included as an additional custodian, enhancing regulatory oversight and redundancy, while BlackRock Fund Advisors will act as trustee [4] Staking Operations - The trust will not operate its own validator infrastructure but will rely on approved third-party staking service providers, with allocations based on provider performance and reputation [5] - Staking operations may involve affiliates of the custodians or other regulated partners, with both reward potential and slashing risk being significant considerations for investors [5] Market Trends - The filing indicates a strategic shift in institutional demand towards yield-bearing crypto products, moving beyond traditional price-only products [7] - If approved, the ETF could help clarify the classification of staking rewards, a topic currently under discussion in U.S. regulatory circles [7]