On September 25, 2025, the first spot ETF for Ethereum with staking was launched in the United States on the Cboe exchange — the REX-Osprey ETH Staking ETF (ESK). This product is the result of a collaboration between REX Shares and Osprey Funds, providing investors with the opportunity not only to directly own Ethereum through fund shares but also to receive a portion of the rewards from staking the assets.
This is reported by Business • Media
Innovative Approach to Ethereum-Based ETFs
The REX-Osprey ETH Staking ETF is the first of its kind in the US, allowing shareholders to earn additional income by locking cryptocurrency in a trust. According to the fund’s structure, a portion of the acquired Ethereum is used for staking, and the rewards earned are distributed among shareholders.
Unlike most other cryptocurrency funds that fall under the Securities Act of 1933, the new ETF is registered under The Investment Company Act of 1940 and has the status of a C Corporation. This allowed the companies to obtain approval for launch more quickly, avoiding lengthy reviews by regulators.
Launch Details and Market Position
According to the official website, the assets under management (AUM) of the new ETF at the time of launch amount to $625,000, with 25,000 shares in circulation. ESK has become the fourth cryptocurrency product from REX Shares and Osprey Funds listed on Cboe — prior to this, the companies had already launched funds based on Solana, Dogecoin, and XRP.
“Shareholders are entitled to a portion of the rewards for locking assets in the trust.”
Despite the launch of the new product, the price of Ethereum on the Binance exchange remains below the $4,000 mark, and the launch did not have a significant immediate effect on the asset’s value.
It is worth noting that other issuers are still awaiting approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the expansion of the functionality of existing spot Ethereum ETFs to include a staking mechanism. Although the regulator has already clarified that staking does not contradict federal securities law, a final decision on the relevant applications has yet to be made.