VanEck Files for Lido Staked ETH ETF with SEC
Asset management giant VanEck has officially filed for a new exchange-traded fund — the VanEck Lido Staked ETH ETF — marking a significant step toward bringing Ethereum staking exposure to traditional U.S. markets.
The proposed ETF would track the performance of Lido Staked ETH (stETH), a token that represents Ethereum locked into the Lido protocol for staking. This allows investors to gain rewards from ETH staking without directly running validator nodes or locking up assets themselves.
If approved, this would be the first ETF in the U.S. to offer regulated exposure to staked ETH — a milestone for both Ethereum and the broader crypto ETF ecosystem.
Bridging Staking and Traditional Finance
Staked ETH represents one of Ethereum’s core use cases post-Merge, allowing users to earn yield by helping secure the network. Lido has emerged as the leading liquid staking protocol, issuing stETH to users in return for their locked ETH. This token is then usable across DeFi platforms while still earning staking rewards.
VanEck’s ETF would take this a step further, making stETH exposure accessible via traditional brokerage accounts. Institutional investors, in particular, could benefit from exposure to ETH staking rewards without needing to touch on-chain protocols directly.
This aligns with a broader industry push to integrate DeFi utility into regulated financial products.
Implications for Ethereum and Staking ETFs
The filing comes at a time when Ethereum-related ETFs are gaining momentum. While spot ETH ETFs are still awaiting SEC approval, the move by VanEck to focus on Lido Staked ETH reflects growing confidence in Ethereum’s staking economy.
If approved, this ETF could unlock a new wave of capital into Ethereum’s ecosystem and bring more legitimacy to staking as an investment strategy.