Grayscale Stakes $150M ETH as SEC Crypto Deadlines Loom

- Grayscale becomes first U.S. crypto asset manager to offer staking rewards for ETP shareholders. - Initiative launched as SEC faces October deadlines for 16 pending crypto ETP applications. On October 7, 2025, Grayscale Investments made history by announcing it has staked $150 million worth of Ether (ETH) to introduce staking rewards for shareholders of its Ethereum Trust (ETHE) and Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH). This groundbreaking initiative positions Grayscale as the first U.S.-based crypto asset manager to offer staking rewards for exchange-traded products (ETPs). As a result, the move allows investors to earn passive income and marks a significant milestone in the U.S. cryptocurrency market. The announcement coincides with key deadlines for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as in October, the agency must make decisions on 16 pending crypto ETP applications. These products include offerings from 21Shares and BlackRock that also feature staking, and favorable decisions could significantly influence the digital asset market's trajectory. However, regulatory uncertainties from a potential U.S. government shutdown have temporarily affected SEC operations, leading to speculation that the commission may delay its processing and decision-making timelines. Despite this regulatory backdrop, investor interest in cryptocurrencies and associated funds is surging. On October 7, Cointelegraph reported record-breaking inflows into crypto investment products, a trend showing that decentralized assets are gaining favor amidst federal uncertainty. The applications under SEC review include Ethereum-focused funds, along with others based on Solana, XRP, and Litecoin. Consequently, market observers are closely watching these deliberations for their impact on asset prices and institutional adoption trends. According to a CoinMarketCap report on October 7, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $4,541.93 as of 15:08 UTC, reflecting a 2.46% decrease in the past 24 hours. During the same period, however, Ethereum’s trading volumes rose by 28.25%, showcasing sustained investor activity despite recent price fluctuations.