BlackRock's Staked Ethereum ETF (ETHB): Complete Guide 2026
BlackRock launches its third crypto ETF -- the first with built-in staking yield. ETHB trades on Nasdaq, stakes 70-95% of ETH via Coinbase Prime, and passes ~82% of rewards to investors at approximately 3.1% APY.
March 12, 2026
Nasdaq
ETHB
70-95% of ETH staked
0.25% (0.12% first year)
~3.1% APY (82% pass-through)
What Is ETHB and Why It Matters
On March 12, 2026, BlackRock -- the world's largest asset manager with over $11 trillion in AUM -- launched the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust (ticker: ETHB) on the Nasdaq exchange. This marks a historic moment: the first major institutional ETF product that offers built-in Ethereum staking yield to traditional investors.
ETHB is BlackRock's third crypto ETF, following the wildly successful IBIT (Bitcoin, January 2024) and ETHA (Ethereum, July 2024). While ETHA simply held ETH, ETHB takes it further by actively staking 70-95% of its Ethereum holdings through Coinbase Prime, generating staking rewards that flow back to investors.
This means ETHB investors don't just benefit from ETH price appreciation -- they also earn approximately 3.1% APY in staking yield, making it more comparable to a dividend-paying stock than a traditional commodity ETF. The product recorded $15 million in first-day trading volume and launched with approximately $100 million in initial assets.
BlackRock's Crypto ETF Journey
iShares Bitcoin Trust launches. Becomes the fastest ETF to reach $50B AUM in history. Transforms Bitcoin from niche asset to mainstream investment.
iShares Ethereum Trust launches. Provides institutional exposure to ETH but without staking rewards -- the key limitation that ETHB resolves.
iShares Staked Ethereum Trust launches on Nasdaq. First BlackRock ETF with built-in staking yield. Stakes 70-95% of ETH via Coinbase Prime, passing 82% of rewards to investors.
How ETHB Staking Works
Ethereum staking is the process of locking ETH to help validate transactions on the network. In return, stakers receive rewards. Here's how ETHB makes this process accessible to everyday investors:
Investors Buy ETHB Shares
Investors purchase ETHB shares through their brokerage account, just like buying any stock or ETF. Each share represents a proportional claim on the fund's pooled ETH holdings.
BlackRock Pools ETH with Coinbase Prime
BlackRock aggregates all investor ETH and sends 70-95% to Coinbase Prime for institutional-grade staking. The remaining 5-30% stays liquid for redemptions and operational needs.
ETH Validates the Network
The staked ETH participates in Ethereum's Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, validating transactions and securing the network. This generates staking rewards of approximately 3.8% APY.
Rewards are Distributed
82% of staking rewards flow back to ETHB shareholders, automatically increasing the NAV of each share. BlackRock and Coinbase retain the remaining 18% as their service fee.
Want to learn more about Ethereum staking? Read our comprehensive Staking Guide and Liquid Staking Guide.
Fee Structure Deep Dive
Sponsor Fee (BlackRock)
Annual management fee charged on total AUM. Reduced to 0.12% for the first year on the first $2.5 billion in assets, matching BlackRock's aggressive pricing strategy from IBIT.
Staking Reward Commission
BlackRock and Coinbase collectively keep 18% of all staking rewards generated. This is how they earn revenue beyond the sponsor fee and is comparable to exchange staking commissions.
Investor Pass-Through
Investors receive 82% of all staking rewards generated, which at current network rates translates to approximately 3.1% APY net of the reward commission.
For the first year, BlackRock is waiving half the sponsor fee (0.12% instead of 0.25%) on the first $2.5 billion in assets -- the same aggressive pricing strategy they used with IBIT. This means early investors pay even less in fees.
Staking Yield Calculator
Calculate your estimated ETHB staking rewards. Adjust the ETH amount, holding period, and ETH price to see projected monthly and annual returns after all fees.
$24,000
2.87%
$57.32
$687.84
0.2866 ETH
$164.16
$60.00
ETF vs Direct Staking: Which Is Right for You?
ETHB ETF
0.25% sponsor fee + 18% reward cut
Price of 1 share (~$25-50)
Brokerage account only
Coinbase Prime (institutional)
Taxable brokerage account, capital gains + staking income
Advantages
- +No technical knowledge needed
- +SEC-regulated and insured
- +Buy/sell like a stock
- +No wallet management
Disadvantages
- -Lower yield due to fee layers
- -No direct ETH ownership
- -Market hours trading only
APY Comparison
For a broader look at crypto ETFs, read our Crypto ETF Guide and Bitcoin ETF Flows Guide.
Cost Breakdown Animator
See exactly how your investment flows through ETHB over one year. Adjust the investment amount and click "Animate" to watch the breakdown.
What Made ETHB Possible
ETHB would not have been possible even a year ago. Three critical regulatory developments paved the way for staking in ETFs:
GENIUS Act (July 2025)
The stablecoin regulation law created a pro-crypto legislative precedent, demonstrating that Congress would support crypto financial products when properly regulated.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins
Appointed in April 2025, Atkins replaced Gary Gensler and brought a dramatically more favorable stance toward crypto products, explicitly supporting staking in ETFs.
SEC Staking Approval
The SEC formally approved in-kind staking for crypto ETFs in early 2026, removing the legal barrier that had prevented ETHA from including staking at launch.
For a complete breakdown of crypto regulation in 2026, read our SEC & CFTC Crypto Regulation 2026 analysis.
How to Get ETH Exposure with Higher Yield
While ETHB offers convenience, buying ETH directly on an exchange typically provides higher staking yields. Here's how to maximize your ETH returns:
Binance
20% fee discount with TRADEOFF20- ETH staking at 3.5-4.5% APY -- higher than ETHB
- 24/7 trading with no market hour restrictions
- Multiple earn products: Simple Earn, DeFi Staking, Dual Investment
OKX
20% fee discount with TRADEOFF20- On-chain ETH staking with competitive APY
- OKX Earn with flexible and fixed-term products
- Built-in DEX aggregator for DeFi staking
Store Your ETH Safely
If you choose to buy ETH directly rather than through ETHB, securing your assets with a hardware wallet is essential. Hardware wallets keep your private keys offline, protecting against hacks and exchange failures.
Ledger
Industry-leading hardware wallet. Supports ETH staking through Ledger Live. Nano X and Stax models available.
Trezor
Open-source hardware wallet with strong security track record. Model T and Safe 3 support Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens.
SafePal
Affordable hardware wallet with built-in DeFi browser. Supports ETH staking and 100+ blockchains.
Track Your ETH & ETHB
TradingView
Professional charting platform. Track ETHB on Nasdaq, ETH/USD, ETH/BTC pairs, and compare performance across crypto ETFs with advanced technical analysis tools.
CoinStats
All-in-one portfolio tracker. Connect your exchanges, wallets, and DeFi positions. Monitor staking rewards across all platforms in a single dashboard.
Tax Implications
ETHB creates a unique tax situation since it combines price exposure with staking yield. Here's what investors need to know:
Capital Gains
Selling ETHB shares triggers capital gains tax. Held over 1 year qualifies for long-term rates (0-20%). Under 1 year is taxed as ordinary income (10-37%).
Staking Income
Staking rewards within ETHB may be treated as ordinary income. The IRS has not issued final guidance for staking in ETF wrappers. Consult a tax professional.
Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Holding ETHB in a Roth IRA could make staking rewards and capital gains tax-free. Traditional IRA defers taxes until withdrawal. This is a major advantage over direct crypto ownership.
Reporting
Your brokerage will issue a 1099 form for ETHB, simplifying tax reporting. Direct crypto staking requires manual tracking of every reward event.
The Crypto ETF Landscape in 2026
ETHB is part of a rapidly growing crypto ETF ecosystem. Here's where it fits alongside other major products:
| Ticker | Issuer | Asset | AUM | Staking | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBIT | BlackRock | Bitcoin | $60B+ | N/A (no staking) | 0.12% |
| ETHA | BlackRock | Ethereum | $12B | N/A (no staking) | 0.25% |
| ETHB | BlackRock | Ethereum (Staked) | $100M | ~3.1% APY | 0.25% |
| SOLZ | Various | Solana | Pending | Expected ~6-7% APY | TBD |
| GAVA | Grayscale | Avalanche | Pending | Expected ~8% APY | TBD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Risk Warning
- •Cryptocurrency investments, including ETFs, are highly volatile and can lose significant value. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- •Staking yields are variable and depend on network conditions. The ~3.1% APY cited is an estimate and may change over time.
- •ETF shares can trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (NAV). You may not receive the exact value of the underlying ETH.
- •Tax treatment of staking rewards in ETFs is still being clarified by the IRS. Consult a qualified tax professional.
- •This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.
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Start Earning ETH Staking Rewards Today
Whether you choose ETHB for convenience or direct staking for higher yields, get started with 20% off trading fees on Binance and OKX. Stake your ETH and earn passive income while supporting the Ethereum network.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and can result in loss of principal. Staking yields are variable and not guaranteed. ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Tax treatment of staking rewards in ETFs is subject to change. Always conduct your own research and consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. Information reflects the status as of March 2026.