New ETF Filings Suggest U.S. Ethereum Funds Could Add Staking, Cut Fees

• Staking adds protocol rewards to ETF returns

• Bitwise introduced a 0.20% unitary management fee, waiving it for three months on the first $1B.

• 21Shares adds staking to its Ethereum ETF and waives a 0.21% sponsor fee for 12 months starting Oct 9; fee competition could drive inflows.

Meta description: Crypto staking ETFs let investors earn rewards and price exposure; Bitwise and 21Shares add staking and cut fees — learn how this changes ETF returns. Read now.

What are crypto staking ETFs and why do they matter?

Crypto staking ETFs are exchange-traded funds that both hold crypto assets and participate in on-chain staking to earn rewards for validating or securing proof-of-stake networks. They combine price exposure with an additional yield stream, potentially improving net returns for investors without requiring direct wallet management.

How are Bitwise and 21Shares changing U.S. ETF offerings?

Bitwise updated a filing to rename one product “Bitwise Solana Staking ETF” and added language allowing exposure to Solana held by the trust. The fund proposes a 0.20% unitary management fee, waived for the first three months on the first $1 billion.

21Shares revised its 21Shares Ethereum ETF (TETH) to include staking and announced a 0.21% sponsor fee waiver for 12 months starting October 9. These moves followed Grayscale’s recent introduction of staking in its U.S. Ethereum ETFs.

How does staking affect investor returns and fund mechanics?

Staking generates small on-chain rewards by helping secure networks like Ethereum and Solana. Those rewards accrue to the ETF, which can compound returns inside the fund rather than distributing them as separate payouts.

Operationally, funds must handle validator selection, slashing risk, and operational costs. Bitwise’s unitary fee simplifies costs into a single charge, while 21Shares’ temporary fee waiver incentivizes early inflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fees do the new staking ETFs charge?

Bitwise proposes a 0.20% unitary management fee, waived for three months on the first $1 billion. 21Shares is waiving its 0.21% sponsor fee for 12 months starting October 9. Fee structures may change upon final approval.

How do funds handle staking rewards?

Funds collect and reinvest staking rewards into the trust, which can compound inside the ETF and raise NAV. Details depend on fund policy regarding reward allocation and reporting.

Who commented on these filings?

Federico Brokate, head of U.S. business at 21Shares, called staking a natural evolution for Ethereum products. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted low fees often attract investor inflows. COINOTAG and Bloomberg are cited as plain-text sources for reporting context.

Key Takeaways

• Staking expands ETF utility: ETFs can now deliver both price exposure and protocol rewards.
• Fee competition intensifies: Bitwise and 21Shares use low fees and waivers to attract capital.
• Operational risks remain: Validator selection, slashing, and reward volatility require close fund governance and disclosure.

Conclusion

U.S. crypto funds are evolving beyond pure price plays; Bitwise and 21Shares adding staking and cutting fees signal a shift toward yield-enhanced ETFs. Investors should evaluate fee structures, staking mechanics, and disclosure before allocating capital. COINOTAG will monitor filings and updates as these products move toward final approval.