Fidelity Investments Plans to Add Staking to Its Spot Ethereum ETF

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-12Last updated on 2026-08-12

Abstract

Fidelity Investments has filed an amended S-3 form with the U.S. SEC, proposing to add staking functionality to its spot Ethereum ETF, FETH. The ETF provider could stake up to 100% of the fund's assets, which currently total nearly $900 million. Custodians Anchorage Digital, BitGo, and Fidelity Digital Assets would stake the Ethereum through trusted providers like Blockdaemon, Figment, and Galaxy. While no minimum or maximum staking limits are set, the provider may hold back some assets for redemptions and expenses. Fidelity would receive 85% of the staking rewards, with the remaining 15% going to operators, custodians, and the sponsor. Net staking income will first cover fund expenses, with any remainder distributed quarterly to shareholders. This move follows recent IRS amendments allowing cryptocurrency trust operators to stake assets without losing their tax status, a change that has prompted several firms to add staking to their products, though BlackRock has opted to file for a new fund with staking capabilities instead.

Fidelity Investments has filed an amended S-3 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It follows that the company plans to add staking to its spot Ethereum ETF — FETH.

The filing states that the ETF provider will be able to stake up to 100% of the fund's assets. According to SoSoValue, the total assets under management for FETH amount to nearly $900 million.

The mechanism works as follows — custodians Anchorage Digital, BitGo, and Fidelity Digital Assets will stake Ethereum through trusted providers. These include Blockdaemon, Figment, and Galaxy.

The minimum and maximum share of locked assets are not specified; however, the provider reserves the right to retain a portion of Ethereum for share redemptions and other expenses.

Fidelity Investments will receive 85% of the income, while operators, custodians, and the sponsor (a subsidiary of the provider) will receive 15%. First and foremost, the issuer will direct the net staking profit to cover expenses, with the remainder distributed to shareholders on a quarterly basis.

It is worth noting that in November 2025, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) introduced amendments allowing operators of crypto asset trusts to stake assets without losing their tax status.

This has led several companies to add such a feature to their products. However, BlackRock, for example, took a different path. In December 2025, the company applied to launch a new fund that would include this capability.

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Related Questions

QWhat is the main announcement Fidelity Investments made regarding its spot Ethereum ETF?

AFidelity Investments announced plans to add staking functionality to its spot Ethereum ETF, FETH, by filing an amended S-3 form with the U.S. SEC.

QWho are the custodians responsible for staking the Ethereum assets for the FETH ETF?

AThe custodians responsible for staking are Anchorage Digital, BitGo, and Fidelity Digital Assets, who will stake through trusted providers like Blockdaemon, Figment, and Galaxy.

QWhat is the proposed distribution of the staking income generated by the FETH ETF?

AFidelity Investments will receive 85% of the staking income. The remaining 15% will go to operators, custodians, and the sponsor (a subsidiary of the provider). After covering expenses, the net profit will be distributed quarterly to shareholders.

QWhat recent U.S. regulatory change facilitated this move by ETF providers to offer staking?

AIn November 2025, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) amended rules to allow operators of crypto trusts to stake their assets without losing their tax status, enabling such features in ETFs.

QHow did BlackRock's approach differ from Fidelity's regarding Ethereum staking in an ETF?

AUnlike Fidelity which is adding staking to its existing ETF, BlackRock filed an application in December 2025 to launch a new fund that would inherently include staking capability from the start.

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