Blackrock, Nasdaq Move to List Ethereum Options in US, New Filing Shows

• Options trading on BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF could be approved.
• The BlackRock Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF now command over $21 billion in AUM combined.
• BlackRock is rebranding all active ETFs from “BlackRock iShares” to “iShares.”

BlackRock and Nasdaq want to make access to spot Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) even easier and more accessible to investors.

How? By proposing a rule change to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which will allow them to list and trade options for its Ethereum ETF.

Ethereum ETF Options

As per the jointly submitted proposal from BlackRock and Nasdaq , the duo is seeking a rule change to introduce options trading the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).

Options will allow investors to buy or sell the ETF stock at a predetermined price before a set date. This is a popular tool frequently seen in trading, especially crypto. The aim is to extend the investment tools available for Ethereum and make it more accessible.

“The exchange believes that offering options on the Trust will benefit investors by providing them with an additional, relatively lower cost investing tool to gain exposure to spot ether,”

Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart explained that the SEC has a 21-day deadline to comment on the proposal. The SEC’s final decision is expected in early April 2025.

BlackRock ETFs Up Top

Regardless of market conditions, BlackRock’s crypto ETFs are one of 2024’s ongoing crypto success stories. According to Nate Geraci, President of ETF Store, BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF could be ranked  in the top 10% of “all new ETFs” launched in 2024.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), has been the top-performing crypto fund with over $20 billion in cumulative net inflows since launching in January 2024. Significantly, the fund has seen only one day of net outflows, a meager $36.9 million.

The firm’s newly launched iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has also been the success story of Ethereum ETFs. Since July 23, 2024, ETHA has garnered a cumulative inflow of $869.89 million, more than double that of its nearest competitor.

With such gigantic flows, Geraci thinks IBIT occupies a spot in the top ten ETF launches of 2024. If the proposed rule change to allow options trading of ETHA is approved, we could see the fund join the ranks of IBIT.

iShares Rebranding

According to a post from ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, BlackRock is moving to rebrand all of its ETFs from “BlackRock iShares” to just “iShares.”

Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart chimed in  on the news, saying that he isn’t completely described, explaining:

“I cant tell you how many people on this site have replied to me saying that i left the BlackRock Bitcoin or Ethereum ETF off from some list because they dont know iShares *is* BlackRock.“

It may be a small move, but it’s not insignificant. Given iShares’s brand recognition, Seyffart thinks  it’s just a strategic decision so that their active funds don’t use a different brand name than their passive funds.

About the Author

Eddie Mitchell

Eddie has been writing news and content primarily for crypto news and industry players over the past seven years. With an eye for the bigger picture, Eddie prefers to investigate the broader implications of a story, as well as explore the weird and wonderful world of crypto. He believes blockchain has already changed the world, but observes the space overall with a skeptical and adoring eye.

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