 ▲ Ethereum (ETH) |
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has successfully launched a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering Ethereum (ETH) staking rewards, igniting institutional accumulation following Bitcoin (BTC).
On March 12 (local time), cryptocurrency media outlet Cointelegraph reported that BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF product, the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ETHB), began trading on Nasdaq. ETHB recorded approximately $15 million in trading volume on its first day, demonstrating strong market interest. The product marks BlackRock’s third cryptocurrency-related ETF and its first to fully incorporate a staking mechanism.
ETHB is designed to utilize between 70% and 95% of its held Ethereum for network staking, providing investors with additional rewards beyond asset price appreciation. The management fee is set at 0.25% annually, but BlackRock is offering a reduced fee of 0.12% for the first 12 months after launch or until assets reach $2.5 billion. Of the rewards generated through staking, 82% will be distributed to investors, while the remaining 18% will be shared between BlackRock and its primary execution agent, Coinbase.
BlackRock’s existing spot Ethereum ETF, ETHA, already manages approximately $6.5 billion in assets, while its Bitcoin product, IBIT, holds more than $55 billion. Unlike previous products that simply track price movements, ETHB differentiates itself by enabling investors to capture staking yields. Analysts expect that the introduction of such yield-generating products will accelerate large-scale inflows from institutional investors, who previously faced challenges participating directly in staking compared to retail investors.
Coinciding with the launch of ETHB, Ethereum’s price reclaimed the key psychological resistance level of $2,000, signaling strong upward momentum. The spot Ethereum ETF market recorded $57 million in net inflows on March 11 alone, reversing months of persistent outflows. Market participants assessed that BlackRock’s move, alongside increasing regulatory clarity, has further solidified the institutionalization of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
By integrating staking functionality, BlackRock enables investors to benefit from custodial and operational convenience while effectively participating in network validation. With its Nasdaq listing enhancing accessibility, ETHB is expected to become a key instrument in expanding Ethereum allocations within institutional portfolios. The cryptocurrency market has now entered a new growth phase, moving beyond simple trading to the financialization of proof-of-stake reward mechanisms.
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