Asset Manager VanEck Registers Ethereum Staking ETF Through Lido Protocol
VanEck registered a Lido Staked Ethereum ETF in Delaware on October 2, 2025. According to Coindoo, the asset manager filed the product as a statutory trust through CSC Delaware Trust Company. The registration represents an early procedural step before submitting an application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The proposed ETF would provide exposure to Ethereum staked through Lido Finance. Lido operates as a liquid staking protocol that allows users to earn rewards without locking assets. The Delaware filing does not guarantee SEC approval but shows VanEck's intent to expand beyond its existing spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Market Responds with Token Price Jump
Lido DAO's native token jumped more than 7% following the announcement. Crypto.news reports weekly gains reached 20% while six-month returns exceeded 50%. Trading volumes and derivatives activity increased as investors positioned for potential ETF-related inflows into liquid staking.
The price movement reflects optimism that staking could become the next major institutional investment trend. Ethereum staking currently offers approximately 4% annual returns. An approved ETF would let institutions access these yields through traditional brokerage accounts without managing blockchain infrastructure directly.
Competition Heats Up Among Financial Institutions
VanEck's filing comes as multiple asset managers pursue staking-related products. CoinDesk notes that if approved, this would become the first staked ETH ETF in the United States. BlackRock and Fidelity are expected to explore similar offerings as the sector develops.
Lido controls over 30% of all staked Ethereum, making it the dominant liquid staking provider. The protocol allows participants to receive stETH tokens representing their staked assets. These tokens remain tradeable while earning rewards, solving the liquidity problem of traditional staking.
Recent regulatory developments have improved the outlook for staking products. The SEC clarified in August 2025 that certain liquid staking activities may not require securities registration. This guidance followed the approval of spot Ethereum ETFs earlier in the year.
VanEck's existing crypto ETFs have attracted steady inflows since launching. The firm appears to be moving quickly to establish a leadership position in yield-generating products. Delaware remains the preferred jurisdiction for initial ETF registrations due to favorable trust laws.
Institutional adoption of Ethereum products continues to accelerate. Treasury companies and pension funds increasingly seek yield-bearing digital assets for portfolio diversification. Staking ETFs could bridge the gap between traditional finance requirements and blockchain-based returns.
The timing aligns with broader market interest in Ethereum infrastructure. Multiple firms have filed for various crypto ETF products in recent months. Regulatory decisions on several pending applications are expected in October 2025.
Lido DAO approved a token buyback program in September 2025 to support price stability. The framework allocates up to 70% of new inflows toward repurchases. Implementation of the program is scheduled to begin in December following a test phase.
Further Reading
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