Amended SEC filing details staking revenue split as Ethereum ETFs prepare to offer yield alongside price exposure.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is sharpening the structure of its proposed spot Ethereum ETF, revealing that it and Coinbase intend to retain 18% of staking rewards generated by the fund.
The detail surfaced in an amended form, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), offering one of the clearest looks yet at how staking economics could function inside a regulated iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, expected to trade under the ticker ETHB.
Under the proposed structure, Coinbase would act as both staking provider and custodian, while BlackRock would serve as sponsor. The filing moves the product beyond conceptual language, introducing a defined revenue split that directly impacts investor returns.
BlackRock and Coinbase Reveal 18% Staking Cut
Rather than simply confirming that the fund may stake ETH, the updated filing quantifies the cost of doing so. Any staking yield generated by the ETF would be distributed net of an 18% share retained before standard fund expenses, implying investors would not receive the full on-chain reward rate.
The remaining portion of rewards is expected to accrue to the fund’s net asset value, although final accounting mechanics could evolve depending on regulatory feedback and structural refinements.
Staking Sparks U.S. ETF Competition
Staking is emerging as the next battleground for U.S. crypto ETFs. After the success of spot Bitcoin ETFs showed strong demand for simple price exposure, Ethereum products are now under pressure to stand out.
By adding a built-in yield, staking could turn ETH ETFs from plain market-tracking instruments into vehicles that offer income as well as price exposure, which acts as a potential advantage in an environment where fees are already tight.
Yet, adding staking to a registered ETF isn’t simple. The SEC has closely scrutinized staking programs due to concerns around custody, delegation, and whether staked tokens create a security-like exposure.
A staking-enabled ETH ETF would be the first of its kind, so approval could set an important precedent.
If approved, Ethereum ETFs could move beyond simply tracking ETH prices. Instead, returns would also reflect staking rewards, fees, fund operations, and regulatory rules, all of which could significantly affect long-term performance.
Fund Operations and Fees Take Shape
BlackRock had already indicated last year that it was preparing to roll out a staking-focused fund. The latest filing shows the fund will charge a 0.25% annual sponsor fee, with a temporary waiver lowering it to 0.12% on the first $2.5 billion in assets during its first year.
It also notes that about 5% to 30% of the fund’s ETH will be kept unstaked to ensure enough liquidity for creations, redemptions, and routine operational requirements.
Why This Matters
How the ETF handles staking, fees, and liquidity could set a benchmark for future regulated Ethereum investment products.
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