Ethereum News Today: Grayscale's Staking ETPs: First U.S. Passive Yield for Crypto Investors

Grayscale Investments has introduced staking capabilities to its Ethereum and Solana exchange-traded products (ETPs), marking a significant innovation in the U.S. crypto market. The firm's Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) and Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH) now allow investors to earn staking rewards without directly managing ether (ETH) or solana (SOL) assets. These products, alongside the Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL), collectively hold $8.25 billion in assets under management (AUM), with ETHE and ETH accounting for $4.82 billion and $3.31 billion, respectively. This move positions Grayscale as the first U.S. firm to offer staking through spot crypto ETPs, a feature that enhances yield generation for investors while maintaining exposure to the underlying assets.

The staking mechanism is executed passively through institutional custodians and validator providers, aligning with Grayscale's strategy to secure blockchain networks while prioritizing long-term value accrual for investors. CEO Peter Mintzberg emphasized that the initiative reflects Grayscale's role as a pioneer in digital asset innovation, leveraging its $35 billion AUM platform to deliver tangible benefits to clients. The firm also plans to expand staking to additional products, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and investor education.

GSOL, currently traded over-the-counter, could transition to an exchange-traded product if regulatory approval is secured. This would make it one of the first Solana ETPs with staking capabilities, further diversifying Grayscale's offerings in the growing altcoin market. Meanwhile, the activation of staking in Ethereum and Solana ETPs coincides with a surge in institutional demand for crypto assets. Recent data shows $5.95 billion in Ethereum and Solana fund inflows, driven by corporate treasuries and ETFs, which have absorbed 3.7% of Ethereum's supply since June 2025.

The market impact of Grayscale's staking initiative is evident in Ethereum's performance. The ETH/BTC ratio, a key indicator of Ethereum's relative strength, reached a 2025 high of 0.037, reflecting increased institutional and retail interest in ether. Analysts attribute this to a combination of spot ETF inflows, rising stablecoin supply, and network upgrades like the Pectra upgrade, which boosted Ethereum's total value locked (TVL) to $167 billion. On-chain data also reveals a historic supply squeeze, with exchange reserves dropping to an eight-year low of 16 million ETH and 36 million ETH staked.

Looking ahead, Ethereum's Q4 trajectory appears bolstered by structural factors. A $4.5k support level has held firm, with two higher lows preceding potential breakouts toward $5k. Analysts highlight that Ethereum's on-chain liquidity and institutional buying-such as Bitmine's accumulation of 2.2 million ETH-signal sustained bullish momentum. While Bitcoin remains the dominant asset, Ethereum's growing utility in DeFi and tokenization ecosystems positions it to challenge Bitcoin's market share, particularly if ETF inflows exceed $9 billion quarterly and network upgrades proceed smoothly.

Grayscale's staking feature underscores the evolving role of ETPs in bridging traditional finance and blockchain networks. By offering yield-generating exposure to Ethereum and Solana, the firm caters to a broader investor base seeking both capital appreciation and passive income. As regulatory clarity and market adoption progress, the integration of staking into ETPs could redefine the landscape of crypto investing in the U.S.

Source: [1] Coindesk (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/10/06/grayscale-adds-staking-to-ethereum-and-solana-investment-products-in-u-s-first)

[2] GlobeNewswire (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/06/3161548/0/en/Grayscale-Launches-First-Staking-Spot-Crypto-ETPs-in-U-S.html)

[3] ETF Express (https://etfexpress.com/2025/10/06/grayscale-launches-first-staking-spot-crypto-etps-in-us/)

[4] The Daily Hodl (https://dailyhodl.com/2025/10/07/two-grayscale-ethereum-exchange-traded-funds-become-first-us-crypto-etfs-to-enable-staking/)

[5] The Coin Republic (https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2025/10/06/breaking-grayscale-enables-staking-for-crypto-etps-ahead-of-us-sec-approval/)

[6] BeInCrypto (https://beincrypto.com/eth-btc-ratio-ethereum-bitcoin-analysis/)

[7] The Block (https://www.theblock.co/post/367602/eth-btc-ratio-2025-etfs-treasuries-ethereum)

[10] Ambcrypto (https://ambcrypto.com/inside-ethereums-spot-led-q4-rally-why-5000-is-near/)

[11] The Market Periodical (https://themarketperiodical.com/2025/09/30/ethereum-price-nears-4-5k-resistance-with-10k-in-sight/:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20historical%20trajectory%20of%20Q4%20and)