BlackRock Pushes SEC to Approve Ethereum ETF Staking and Tokenization
Sohrab Khawas10 May 20252 min read
Wall Street giant BlackRock has reportedly held a closed-door meeting with the U.S. SEC’s Crypto Task Force to discuss adding staking to Ethereum ETFs and acceleratingthe tokenization of real-world assets.
Ethereum Staking Back in Spotlight
During the early July meeting, BlackRock stressed that Ethereum ETFs are “less perfect” without staking, as investors miss out on yield from locked ETH. Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, described staking for spot ETH ETFs as a “step change upward,” though he acknowledged regulatory and operational complexities ahead.
Under SEC Chair Gary Gensler, the agency previously blocked staking features in ETH ETFs. But with the potential shift in stance, staking approval could allow ETH ETFs to generate revenue by earning yield. Other firms like Fidelity and Grayscale are also lobbying for staking support. Notably, the NYSE proposed a rule change in February to enable staking in Grayscale’s fund—currently under review.
Tokenization Momentum Builds
The meeting also covered BlackRock’s push to tokenize traditional financial assets. The firm highlighted its $2.9 billion BUIDL fund—a tokenized U.S. Treasury product—promoting blockchain-based solutions for bonds and securities with faster settlements, lower fees, and round-the-clock trading.
Rival efforts include Franklin Templeton’s BENJI fund and Robinhood’s blockchain project aimed at offering tokenized U.S. stocks to European users.
While the SEC has not disclosed the outcome of the meeting, BlackRock’s continued advocacy signals growing momentum in blending crypto innovation with mainstream finance.
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FAQs
- Yes, the SEC delayed its ruling on Grayscale’s ETH ETF staking request, with a new decision expected by June 1, 2025.
