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Asset manager VanEck has filed to register a Lido Staked Ethereum ETF in Delaware, a move that could reshape the digital asset investment landscape. The filing, made through a statutory trust structure, positions VanEck to expand its crypto offerings and tap into demand for yield-generating Ethereum exposure.
The Lido Staked Ethereum ETF would link directly to Lido’s liquid staking protocol, enabling investors to access staked Ethereum (stETH) without the technical barriers of running validator nodes. According to the filing, the fund will utilize CSC Delaware Trust Company as its registered agent, underscoring Delaware’s role as a preferred jurisdiction for digital asset investment vehicles.
“By offering a regulated gateway into staked Ethereum, VanEck is responding to a clear demand from institutional and retail investors who want yield exposure without operational risks,” — James Seyffart, ETF analyst at Bloomberg, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The announcement coincided with a 7% surge in Lido DAO’s token (LDO), reflecting heightened enthusiasm in staking-linked assets.
The Lido Staked Ethereum ETF represents a strategic pivot for VanEck, which already manages spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs with consistent inflows. By integrating Lido’s stETH, the new fund would allow holders to capture passive staking rewards currently averaging around 4% annually through a compliant and regulated vehicle.
This structure could prove particularly attractive for pension funds, hedge funds, and other institutions seeking yield exposure within the bounds of U.S. regulation.
Liquid staking offers an elegant balance of flexibility and rewards, and a fund like this could help legitimize it further in the eyes of institutional allocators, — Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer, Bitwise Asset Management, in an industry note.
While the fund still awaits SEC approval, Delaware’s statutory trust framework provides a strong foundation. The choice of Delaware is significant, as it has become a preferred hub for ETF filings due to its regulatory clarity and flexibility in fund management structures.
The Lido Staked Ethereum ETF relies on Lido DAO’s network dominance, with Lido currently responsible for more than 30% of all Ethereum staked on the Beacon Chain. This market share makes Lido the largest liquid staking provider, offering liquidity and accessibility to participants who prefer not to lock assets directly into the Ethereum protocol.
At the time of writing, Lido’s token (LDO) traded at $1.24, up 3.67% in 24 hours, with trading volume jumping by 41%. Analysts attributed this uptick to VanEck’s ETF filing, which signals growing integration between traditional finance and decentralized staking systems.
Lido DAO has also been advancing governance-driven reforms to strengthen its long-term sustainability. In September, the protocol approved a treasury-backed buyback initiative that will allocate up to 70% of new inflows to buybacks, aiming to reduce token supply and stabilize price dynamics.
This alignment between tokenomics and institutional integration could reinforce Lido’s position as the go-to partner for Ethereum ETF issuers.
The timing of the Lido Staked Ethereum ETF filing comes amid shifting regulatory dynamics. In August, the SEC clarified that some liquid staking models may not fall under securities classification, giving fund managers greater confidence to pursue related products.
This clarity has attracted not only VanEck but also competitors such as BlackRock and Fidelity, both of which are exploring Ethereum-based yield products. The competitive race underscores the significance of staking-linked ETFs in the next phase of crypto adoption.
Regulatory comfort with staking ETFs is a major step for the industry, — Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, told CoinDesk. It could mark the beginning of a new wave of compliant yield products tailored for institutions.
Beyond ETFs, Lido is expanding into Layer-2 integrations and validator decentralization, bolstering its scalability and resilience. These upgrades not only strengthen Ethereum’s staking economy but also ensure Lido remains an attractive partner for regulated investment products.
The Lido Staked Ethereum ETF could become a landmark development in the evolution of crypto investment vehicles. By merging Lido’s liquid staking model with VanEck’s reputation as a pioneer in ETF markets, the filing highlights a growing convergence between decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional asset management.
For crypto investors, the proposed fund offers a simplified, regulated route to participate in Ethereum’s staking economy. For policymakers, it raises new questions about the balance between innovation and oversight in a fast-moving market.
If approved, VanEck’s fund would not only expand its Ethereum ETF portfolio but also validate liquid staking as a mainstream investment strategy potentially drawing billions in institutional inflows.
