Catenaa, Wednesday, July 30, 2025- The US Securities and Exchange Commission is reviewing a proposal by BlackRock to include staking in its iShares Ethereum Trust, a move that could further expand institutional crypto offerings amid a more permissive regulatory environment under President Donald Trump.
The SEC on Tuesday published a notice seeking public comment on a rule change filed by Nasdaq earlier this month to allow staking in BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF. This follows similar filings by asset managers 21Shares and Grayscale.
The regulator’s Division of Corporation Finance previously clarified that some blockchain staking activities may not involve securities, prompting firms to explore staking within ETF structures.
While the SEC approved spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs during the Biden administration following a key court ruling, it barred staking from those vehicles at the time.
That policy may now be shifting, as asset managers push for expanded ETF functionality.
In a related development, the SEC postponed its decision on Grayscale’s proposal to launch a Litecoin ETF, setting a new deadline of October 10.
The agency is currently evaluating dozens of crypto ETF proposals, with many industry observers citing the Trump administration’s friendlier approach to digital assets.
The SEC also approved a separate order Tuesday allowing in-kind creations and redemptions by authorized participants in crypto ETFs, a move that could streamline fund operations and reduce costs.
These developments mark a new phase in the evolution of regulated crypto investment vehicles in the United States.
