Grayscale has made headlines as it introduces staking for its exchange-traded products (ETPs), becoming the first U.S. crypto fund issuer to provide staking-based passive income opportunities.
According to a statement released on Monday, Grayscale’s Ether (ETH) ETFs, including the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF and the Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE), are now the first U.S.-listed spot crypto funds to allow staking, claiming this achievement as a significant milestone.
The Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL) has also begun staking, awaiting regulatory approval to uplist to an ETP, potentially making it one of the first Solana ETPs to incorporate staking, per their social media update.
By enabling staking, Grayscale aims to provide investors with exposure to the long-term value of these networks while adhering to the funds’ primary goals.
“Staking in our spot Ethereum and Solana funds is exactly the kind of first mover innovation Grayscale was built to deliver,” said Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg.
“As the #1 digital asset-focused ETF issuer globally by AUM, we believe our trusted and scaled platform uniquely positions us to turn new opportunities like staking into tangible value potential for investors.”
Both ETPs, ETHE and ETH, are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, contrasting with traditional mutual funds governed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, thus establishing a different structural framework.
Grayscale will conduct staking through institutional custodians and a diversified network of validator providers, allowing investors to access these products via standard brokerage accounts. As of September 30, Grayscale reported approximately $35 billion in assets under management.
Crypto Industry Bids for SEC Approval on Staking ETFs
The industry is currently anticipating approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first U.S.-listed Ether staking ETFs. Markus Thielen, head of research at 10x Research, states that this could usher in a significant influx of institutional capital into Ethereum:
“This would mark a monumental structural shift in how institutional capital flows into Ethereum, unlocking a new era of yield-driven participation.”
This news follows the earlier debut of the REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF on the Cboe BZX Exchange, which saw impressive trading volume, marking a significant step in the evolving landscape of crypto ETFs.
