Global asset management leader BlackRock ( officially submitted the 19b-4 filing on January 19, 2023, requesting to add a staking mechanism for its iShares Ethereum Trust ETF ) ETHA (, accelerating the integration of profit models previously exclusive to crypto-native players into Wall Street.
A senior Wall Street analyst stated that this move not only brings Ethereum into the shelves of traditional finance but also allows Wall Street's power to directly participate in the lifeblood of the on-chain economy, marking a disruptive moment.
From holding to participating: ETFs can also "generate interest"
Currently, ETHA manages approximately $7.7 billion. If the application is approved, ETF issuers can lock their held ETH on-chain to participate in validation, earning staking rewards, conceptually similar to bond interest or stock dividends. For investors, this upgrades the pure market risk to a "price + yield" dual engine, enhancing the product's attractiveness.