In a landmark move for crypto-based institutional investment, Nasdaq has filed an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum ETF to include staking rewards — a feature long-awaited by traditional financial institutions. If approved, this amendment would allow investors to passively earn income through Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) system, significantly enhancing the appeal of Ether-based ETFs.

The proposed change would mark a critical evolution in the way ETFs interact with blockchain protocols, as it bridges the gap between passive ETH exposure and active yield generation. Rather than simply holding Ether, BlackRock’s fund would allow investors to benefit from staking yields — similar to dividend-like income — without needing to run validator nodes themselves.

Regulatory Shift Opens the Door for Institutional Yield

The development follows the SEC’s updated guidance in May, which classified staking rewards as earned income rather than capital gains. This clarified pathway has created new opportunities for ETFs and asset managers looking to generate yield for clients, especially during macroeconomic periods when traditional returns remain under pressure.

In this context, Ethereum’s appeal has sharply risen. It’s no longer seen as just a speculative asset but increasingly as a hybrid between tech equity and digital currency, according to Ray Youssef, CEO of finance app NoOnes. The latest data reflects this trend:

• Over 36 million ETH (more than 29% of the total supply) is now staked.
• ETH investment products saw inflows on 11 out of the past 12 trading days.
• On Wednesday alone, over $726 million flowed into Ether-based ETFs, according to Farside Investors.
• In July, ETH staking hit an all-time high, driven by corporate treasuries acquiring over 540,000 ETH (worth $1.6 billion) for reserve purposes.

HashStaking: Capitalizing on the ETH Staking Surge

As this institutional wave continues, platforms like HashStaking.com are emerging as critical infrastructure providers for high-net-worth and institutional clients. With Ethereum’s staking ratio pushing past 29% and bullish price targets reaching for $7K, HashStaking enables users to capitalize on yield opportunities in a secure, performance-optimized environment.

HashStaking supports both flexible and fixed ETH staking plans, making it ideal for diversified portfolio strategies. With high uptime validator nodes and robust security protocols, the platform allows users to participate confidently in Ethereum’s PoS network — without the overhead of node management or technical complexity.

Whether reallocating idle ETH or actively seeking yield, HashStaking offers a compelling solution for anyone looking to stay ahead in Ethereum’s staking economy.

GeekStake: Easy ETH Staking for the Next Wave of Investors

On the other end of the spectrum, GeekStake.com is simplifying ETH staking for newcomers and casual investors. As the GENIUS Act accelerates both retail and institutional participation in blockchain finance, GeekStake provides a low-barrier entry point into Ethereum’s staking model.

Users don’t need deep technical knowledge or large amounts of capital — just deposit your ETH, and staking rewards start accumulating automatically. GeekStake’s fully automated backend ensures your assets are continuously earning, while you retain full control and transparency.

With Ethereum continuing to evolve as a foundational layer for DeFi, stablecoins, and regulated digital asset frameworks, platforms like GeekStake allow average users to benefit from the same yield mechanics now being pursued by giants like BlackRock.

Ethereum’s Institutional Narrative Strengthens

Ethereum is no longer just a tool for developers and crypto-native users — it’s becoming a legitimate treasury asset for corporations and a yield-bearing product for ETFs. The creation of Etherealize, a marketing initiative backed by the Ethereum Foundation, further demonstrates the network’s intention to attract large-scale capital and adoption.

As institutions seek reliable ways to produce yield, the move by Nasdaq and BlackRock to include staking rewards could trigger a broader transformation in how digital asset funds operate. It also puts pressure on the SEC to develop clearer long-term frameworks for staking products in traditional finance.

Outlook: ETH Staking Becoming Core to Modern Portfolio Strategy

With the GENIUS Act unlocking new use cases for stablecoins and the Ethereum network playing an increasingly central role in digital asset infrastructure, ETH staking is quickly moving from a niche activity to a mainstream financial instrument.

For investors looking to get ahead of the curve, platforms like HashStaking and GeekStake offer two paths to capture Ethereum’s yield potential — whether through institutional-grade tools or beginner-friendly automation.

As Ethereum’s price targets reach for $7,000 and staking becomes embedded in ETFs, the question isn’t if staking will go mainstream — but how soon you’ll start earning from it.