The firm announced that its Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF, ticker ETHE, has distributed proceeds from the sale of staking rewards. These rewards were earned between October 6, 2025 and December 31, 2025.
This marks the first time a spot crypto exchange-traded product in the U.S. has passed staking rewards directly to shareholders. Investors will receive $0.083178 per share, with payments made on January 6, 2026, based on holdings recorded on January 5, 2026.
What This Means for Investors
ETHE and its sibling funds allow investors to gain exposure to Ether without holding the cryptocurrency directly. They are exchange-traded products that are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, meaning they do not offer the same protections as traditional mutual funds or ETFs. Investing in these products carries risk, including the potential loss of principal, and does not equate to owning Ether outright.
Today, Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF (Ticker: $ETHE) became the first U.S. Ethereum ETP to distribute staking rewards back to investors.
Note: $ETHE is trading ex-dividend today as of the open.
Read the press release: https://t.co/oDOSk9B2pG
— Grayscale (@Grayscale) January 5, 2026
So, staking is a process where investors earn rewards by helping secure a blockchain network. Grayscale activated staking for its Ethereum products in October 2025, making ETHE the first U.S.-based Ethereum ETP to enable this feature. By distributing staking rewards, Grayscale is turning a technical blockchain function into tangible returns for investors. For example, an investor holding 1,000 ETHE shares would receive $83.18 from this initial distribution.
A Trend Toward Staking and Innovation
According to data, Ethereum staking participation has grown steadily, surpassing 25 million ETH staked globally in 2025. By integrating staking into ETPs, Grayscale gives retail and institutional investors access to these earnings without managing keys or running nodes themselves. ETHE now joins the Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF, both renamed in January 2026 to highlight staking capabilities.
See the prospectus for the following products: $ETH: https://t.co/RkS4dkxVod $ETHE: https://t.co/8hd58oaSPA $GSOL: https://t.co/EhMMQUy3jo
See important disclosures and learn more about the following products:
Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini Trust ETF (Ticker: $ETH):…— Grayscale (@Grayscale) January 5, 2026
Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting that it reinforces the firm’s role as a pioneer in bringing blockchain innovations to traditional investors. The firm plans to expand staking opportunities to additional products while providing educational resources, transparent reporting, and investor-first practices.
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