Investors Get Yield-Generating Bitcoin ETF—VanEck and Hyperliquid Push Boundaries

VanEck, a leading asset manager with a strong presence in the cryptocurrency sector, has announced plans to introduce a spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States, with a unique integration of staking features. The firm is working closely with the trading platform Hyperliquid to develop this product, which it says will offer investors exposure to Bitcoin while also generating yield through staking. This move reflects growing demand among institutional and retail investors for innovative crypto products that bridge traditional finance with decentralized technologies.

The proposed ETF, if approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will be one of the first in the market to combine spot Bitcoin exposure with yield-generating capabilities. VanEck’s product will allow investors to stake their Bitcoin holdings through Hyperliquid’s platform, thereby earning additional returns without surrendering custody of the underlying assets. This innovation addresses one of the major limitations of traditional ETFs, which typically do not offer active income generation from the underlying assets.

Hyperliquid, a popular decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, will serve as the staking infrastructure for the ETF, leveraging its existing user base and operational expertise in custody and yield generation. The partnership marks a strategic expansion for Hyperliquid into institutional-grade financial products and underscores the increasing convergence between centralized and decentralized finance.

According to filings and internal documents reviewed by industry sources, VanEck has already submitted a preliminary application for the ETF to the SEC, with a final regulatory review expected in the coming months. The firm has not disclosed the expected launch date or initial asset size but has emphasized the product’s alignment with investor preferences for diversified, multi-utility crypto assets.

Analysts in the asset management and crypto sectors have welcomed the development, noting that VanEck’s offering could set a new benchmark for innovation in digital asset ETFs. The firm’s prior success with the VanEck Vectors Bitcoin Trust has established a foundation for expanding into more sophisticated product structures, particularly as regulatory clarity around crypto assets continues to evolve.

While the regulatory path for the new ETF remains uncertain, the integration of staking is seen as a key differentiator that could attract a broader range of investors. The product also reflects a broader industry trend of embedding DeFi-native features into traditional financial instruments. VanEck and Hyperliquid have both emphasized their commitment to compliance, security, and transparency in the development of the product, which may help alleviate concerns around custody and counterparty risk.