Ethereum News Today: BlackRock Pushes Ethereum Staking as Bitcoin ETFs Bleed $1.4B

BlackRock Inc. CEO Larry Fink has declared the official start of the tokenization era, a statement that underscores the asset manager's aggressive foray into blockchain-based financial products. The remarks come as BlackRock files for a new staked Ethereum ETF in Delaware, signaling its intent to expand its cryptocurrency offerings amid a shifting regulatory landscape. The firm's iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF filing, submitted by managing director Daniel Schweiger, marks one of the first public signals of the fund's development. Nasdaq recently updated its 19b-4 filing to add staking to BlackRock's existing iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which holds $11.5 billion in assets.

The move aligns with broader industry trends, as competitors like Grayscale and 21Shares also seek to integrate staking into their Ethereum funds. However, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved only a limited number of staking-enabled ETFs, with Grayscale's U.S. Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH) becoming the first to unlock staking rewards in October. BlackRock's Head of Digital Assets, Robert Mitchnick, has previously stated that the SEC's approval of ETH staking is "a next phase" for the industry.

While BlackRock's crypto ambitions are expanding, its flagship iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has faced significant outflows. The ETF recorded a record $523 million in redemptions on November 19, extending a five-day streak of outflows totaling $1.4 billion. This follows a broader slump in Bitcoin ETFs, with November on track to become the worst month for the sector, logging $3.79 billion in outflows as of November 27. BlackRock's IBIT alone accounted for 63% of these redemptions, with $2.47 billion withdrawn. The decline coincides with Bitcoin's drop to a seven-month low of $89,037, as macroeconomic uncertainties and a waning AI-driven rally eroded investor confidence.

Amid these challenges, BlackRock is also deepening its involvement in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The firm's partnership with Securitize, a platform backed by BlackRock and Morgan Stanley, aims to bring institutional-grade tokenized assets to Plume's blockchain network. This collaboration will connect over 280,000 RWA holders to Securitize's funds, including Hamilton Lane offerings, and expand yield opportunities for investors. Plume CEO Chris Yin predicts the RWA market could grow 3–5x by 2026, driven by clearer regulation and increased demand for alternative assets like private credit and energy rights.

BlackRock's strategic bets reflect a broader industry shift toward tokenization, as traditional finance and DeFi infrastructures converge. The firm's $185 billion model-portfolio platform has increased its overweight positioning in U.S. equities to 3%, betting on a market rebound despite recent volatility. Meanwhile, its ETF outflows highlight the fragility of crypto's institutional adoption, with Bitcoin ETFs hemorrhaging assets as macroeconomic headwinds persist.