SEC Delays Ethereum ETF Staking Decisions: Critical Quarter Ahead for Crypto Innovation

With deadlines ranging into late October and November 2025, the SEC has postponed judgments on Ethereum ETF staking submissions from BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and other big corporations. Set to be the first ETF to let staked Ethereum tokens for extra returns, BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust now has a fresh October 30 decision date. Other initiatives, including Fidelity's Ethereum staking fund and Franklin Templeton's Ethereum, Solana, and XRP ETFs, have also been postponed, therefore emphasizing the SEC's careful and deliberate approach.

By using the time permitted under securities law, the delays flag the SEC's need to thoroughly assess difficult regulatory issues around custody, market manipulation risks, and investor safeguards. The SEC is negotiating never-before-seen traffic with 92 crypto-related ETFs under review as of August, including Bitwise's Dogecoin and Truth Social's Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. in cryptocurrency applications, while also working on a standardized listing platform to expedite next authorizations.

Consistent with the conclusion of several review sessions, market analysts predict possible "batch approvals" for several cryptocurrency ETFs in October 2025. Nevertheless, the delays highlight the SEC's cautious, risk-averse approach to broadening crypto ETF features, especially around staking methods requiring operational intricacy. With the last three months of 2025 approaching, it may prove to be a critical turning point for the growth of bitcoin ETFs in the United States.