Ethereum News Today:

Anchorage Digital, a US-chartered crypto bank, has launched custody and staking services for Starknet’s native token, STRK, expanding institutional access to yield generation in the digital asset space. The move positions STRK staking as a potential avenue for institutional players seeking competitive returns, with the annual percentage rate (APR) for staked STRK currently at 7.28% [2]. This development follows the completion of Starknet’s Grinta upgrade (v0.14.0), which introduced improvements including a decentralized sequencer and updated fee markets but was accompanied by an unexpected network outage in early September [1]. Despite the disruption, STRK has since rebounded, trading 2.4% higher at $0.1249 [1].

Starknet, a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, utilizes zero-knowledge (ZK) rollups to enhance transaction speeds and reduce fees. The network has been pushing for decentralization, with staking becoming a key component of its roadmap [2]. Anchorage Digital, which has offered STRK custody services since January 2025, now enables clients to stake their holdings directly through its platform. This aligns with a broader trend in institutional finance, where crypto staking competes with traditional yield products such as US Treasuries, currently offering yields between 4.0% and 4.5%. With markets pricing in a high likelihood of a US rate cut in September 2025, crypto staking is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative [2].

Institutions have been increasingly adopting staking as part of their digital asset strategies. For example, Switzerland’s Sygnum Bank and the Nomura-backed Komainu have introduced compliant staking solutions for Ethereum and other tokens in jurisdictions including Dubai and Jersey [2]. Meanwhile, the Ethereum staking entry queue reached its highest level since the Shanghai upgrade in 2023, with over 860,000 ETH ($3.7 billion) waiting to be staked as of late August 2025 [2].

Anchorage Digital’s expansion into STRK staking follows the removal of a three-year-old consent order from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which had previously cited deficiencies in the bank’s anti-money laundering (AML) controls. The bank also reported $29.4 million in fiduciary income for the first half of 2025, demonstrating its role as a reliable custodian for major crypto funds [1]. The firm has also announced plans to launch a venture capital initiative, supporting early-stage on-chain protocols with a focus on product development, engineering, and market entry [1].

Starknet’s integration of Bitcoin staking under SNIP-31, approved by 93.6% of the community, further broadens the staking ecosystem. The proposal allows wrapped Bitcoin variants like WBTC and LBTC to participate in the staking process, with Bitcoin accounting for 25% of staking power and STRK for the remaining 75% [1]. This strategic integration aims to strengthen Starknet’s position as a cross-chain interoperability hub, aligning with broader industry efforts to unify blockchain ecosystems.

The launch of STRK staking by Anchorage Digital reflects a growing convergence between traditional finance and blockchain-based yield strategies. As institutional investors continue to seek alternatives to traditional fixed-income instruments, crypto staking is emerging as a compelling option, particularly in a low-rate environment. The collaboration between Anchorage Digital and Starknet could further accelerate the adoption of institutional-grade crypto custody and staking services, positioning STRK as a key player in the expanding yield landscape.

Source: [1] $3 billion-Anchorage Digital announces its support for ... (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1093258-20250904) [2] Anchorage Launches Starknet Staking for Institutions (https://cointelegraph.com/news/anchorage-starknet-staking-institutions-crypto-yields)