U.S. Treasury and IRS Clarify Cryptocurrency ETP Staking

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new guidelines allowing crypto exchange-traded products to participate in staking, clarifying legal positions for digital asset ETPs nationwide on November 10, 2025.

This regulatory milestone boosts investor benefits and marks increased institutional involvement, evidenced by the mXRP vault attracting $22 million in investments on day one.

U.S. Treasury Endorses Crypto ETP Staking Guidelines

Cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) received new guidelines from the U.S. Treasury and IRS, explicitly allowing them to engage in staking activities. This move is seen as a regulatory milestone, clarifying the legal position for digital asset ETPs. Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, emphasized the significance of this decision for investors and the market.

The guidelines establish a framework for ETPs to distribute staking rewards directly to investors, potentially increasing yield opportunities in regulated financial products. Experts suggest expected inflows into crypto products structured as ETFs, as this regulation provides a solid foundation for compliant investment avenues.

Market reactions, particularly from the mXRP vault, reflect substantial interest, with investments surpassing $22 million on its first day. Greg Xethalis, General Counsel at Multicoin Capital, remarked that this provides a “safe harbor” for crypto ETF trusts, ensuring tax transparency for investors.

Significant Institutional Interest and Market Response

Did you know? The new guidelines mark a pivotal shift from previous U.S. regulatory stances, which often limited ETF exposure to yield-generating activities due to tax uncertainty.

As of November 11, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $105,082.49, according to CoinMarketCap. Its market cap stands at $2,096,068,531,532.00, maintaining a dominance of 59.23%. Notably, BTC experienced a 0.38% increase over the last week, though it has seen a 6.07% decline over 30 days.

The Coincu research team anticipates increased regulatory alignment as the new guidance allows crypto ETFs to directly participate in staking. Potential impacts include enhanced institutional appeal and secure management of digital assets within compliant frameworks. This clarity could lead to escalated adoption rates and greater financial investments into cryptocurrency markets.