VanEck Registers Lido Staked Ethereum ETF Trust in Delaware, Signaling Move Toward U.S. Launch

Lido’s governance token (LDO) climbed over 3% in the past 24 hours amid early signs of institutional interest.

VanEck has taken an initial step toward launching a staked Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), registering a statutory trust for the “VanEck Lido Staked Ethereum ETF” in Delaware, according to a filing dated October 2.

The proposed fund would provide investors exposure to ether (ETH) — currently trading around $4,666.72 — that is staked via Lido, the largest decentralized staking protocol on Ethereum. Lido enables users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity through derivative tokens known as stETH.

Registering the trust marks an early procedural move and does not yet constitute a formal ETF filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Lido currently dominates Ethereum’s staking landscape, securing approximately $38 billion worth of ETH, or about one-third of the network’s total staked supply. Its prominence makes it a natural partner for institutions seeking compliant, yield-generating exposure to Ethereum’s proof-of-stake economy.

If approved, VanEck’s product would function similarly to an income-bearing fund, but instead of bonds or cash equivalents, it would hold staked ETH. Such a structure could appeal to traditional investors who prefer the ETF wrapper while gaining access to crypto-native yields.

The Lido DAO (LDO) token rose more than 3% over the past day, extending its recent momentum as investors interpret VanEck’s move as a sign of rising institutional adoption of staking-based products.

Should the SEC eventually approve it, VanEck’s Lido Staked Ethereum ETF could become the first staked ETH ETF in the U.S., intensifying competition among asset managers vying to expand regulated crypto offerings.