Galaxy Digital has been named an approved validator for BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB), according to a press release on Thursday. This is the company’s first crypto exchange-traded product aimed at generating staking rewards.
ETHB, which was launched last month, is expected to follow in the footsteps of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, which has become the best-performing digital asset fund since 2024.
As of April 8, the fund had $435 million worth of assets under management and committed $339 million. $ETH.
ETFs invest the majority of their Ether holdings through institutional verifiers such as Figment, Attestant, and Galaxy, with rewards distributed to investors monthly.
“Companies like BlackRock choose you as a validator because you have demonstrated the systems, scale, and accountability they need,” said Steve Kurtz, Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at Galaxy. “That trust is something we’ve built over the years.”
Galaxy’s Digital Infrastructure division managed $5 billion in staking assets across Ethereum, Solana, and other proof-of-stake networks, ending in 2025.
In the same year, Galaxy completed custody integrations with BitGo, Zodia Custody, Fireblocks, and Coinbase Prime. The company also became the developer of Liquid Collective, an enterprise-grade liquid staking protocol designed for institutions that need both yield and liquidity at the same time.
“Staking is a core component of the Ethereum ecosystem, and we are excited to be able to offer this functionality to ETHB investors,” said Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock. “Working with an experienced provider allows us to deliver that functionality within the structure and standards our clients expect.”
Galaxy recently introduced staking functionality on the GalaxyOne platform, allowing clients to earn revenue without paying platform fees. In parallel, the company is promoting blockchain-based proxy voting through a partnership with Broadridge on the Avalanche network, expanding its on-chain services for institutions beyond verification.
