On October 20, 2025, VanEck submitted an S-1 registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a new product called the VanEck Lido Staked ETH ETF. This would be the first exchange-traded fund in the U.S. to give investors exposure to stETH, which is the liquid staking token issued by Lido Finance. That token represents ether staked through the Lido protocol.
The ETF is designed to mirror the economics of Ethereum staking. It would give investors access to staking rewards while still allowing daily liquidity, all without the hassle of operating validator nodes.
The Mechanics Behind the Filing
VanEck’s proposal outlines a fund that would track the price of stETH while also reflecting its staking yield. According to the filing, Lido’s protocol has already produced over 2 billion dollars in staking rewards and holds close to 40 billion dollars in total value locked.
VanEck has filed an S-1 for the VanEck Lido Staked ETH ETF, a proposed fund holding stETH — ETH staked via the Lido protocol.
A milestone moment for liquid staking and recognition of stETH’s role in Ethereum’s institutional evolution.@vaneck_us https://t.co/9P8OsS1Vtm pic.twitter.com/ofQFo2DRoi
— Lido (@LidoFinance) October 20, 2025
The idea is to give institutions a streamlined way to gain exposure to ETH staking without needing to run technical infrastructure or deal with delayed withdrawals. Since stETH is already widely traded, audited, and supported by major custodians and exchanges, it makes sense as a candidate for an ETF wrapper.
SEC’s Recent Position Makes This Possible
This filing did not come out of nowhere. It follows a recent clarification from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. Earlier this year, the agency stated that some liquid staking operations may not qualify as securities if they follow specific administrative criteria.
That opened a regulatory pathway for exchange-traded products referencing tokens like stETH, as long as those tokens are not themselves considered securities. In its own remarks, the Lido Ecosystem Foundation said the filing shows that liquid staking is starting to be recognized as a foundational part of Ethereum’s infrastructure.
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Why This Could Be a Big Deal for Crypto
If this fund gets approved, it would mark the first time U.S. investors can access Ethereum staking rewards through a regulated, publicly traded product. That could appeal to institutions that previously stayed on the sidelines due to technical or compliance hurdles.
This isn’t just about one ETF. It could open the door for more regulated products built around staking derivatives or liquid staking tokens. VanEck’s move could help connect the fast-moving world of decentralized finance with more traditional investment channels.
Potential Roadblocks to Watch
This filing still needs the SEC’s approval, and several things could slow it down. The fund must meet the regulator’s expectations when it comes to custody, pricing transparency, redemptions, and investor protection.
There are also unique risks tied to staking, like validator downtime, slashing penalties, or changes to the Ethereum protocol. VanEck will need to address all of these clearly. They also need to make sure the fund can track stETH pricing and rewards accurately and allow redemptions without bottlenecks.
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Eyes on the Next Steps
In the coming weeks, people will be watching how the SEC responds and whether VanEck provides more detail about the fund’s structure. There will also be attention on how other asset managers react. If this filing picks up momentum, it could lead to a new wave of ETF proposals focused on liquid staking.
It’s still early, but this filing could be a sign that Ethereum staking is starting to enter the world of mainstream finance. Investors who once saw staking as too complex might soon be able to access it with the click of a button.
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Key Takeaways
VanEck has filed for the first U.S. ETF tied to Lido’s stETH, aiming to offer Ethereum staking exposure through traditional finance.
The proposed ETF would let investors earn staking rewards while keeping the flexibility of daily liquidity.
The filing follows a recent SEC clarification that created room for certain liquid staking tokens to avoid being labeled securities.
If approved, this could bring Ethereum staking rewards to institutions without the need to run validator infrastructure.
The SEC still needs to approve the fund, and VanEck must address staking risks, redemption processes, and pricing clarity.
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