Yield Hits Ethereum ETFs: Grayscale ETHE Distributes Staking Rewards in First-Ever US Crypto ETP Move

Regulated ethereum investors are now earning on-chain yield as Grayscale pushes staking rewards directly into a U.S.-listed spot crypto ETP, marking a first-of-its-kind distribution that links ethereum staking income to traditional investment access.

Grayscale Delivers First US Spot Ethereum ETP Staking Payout

Yield generation reached regulated ethereum investment products through a new distribution milestone. Grayscale Investments, a crypto investment platform, announced on Jan. 5, 2026, that its Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF completed a payout tied to staking activity, marking a first for a U.S. spot crypto ETP.

“Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF (Ticker: ETHE) has made a distribution to existing shareholders of proceeds from the sale of staking rewards earned by the Fund between October 6, 2025 and December 31, 2025,” the announcement states, adding:

The milestone marks the first time a spot crypto ETP in the U.S. has distributed staking rewards to shareholders.

The distribution reflects Grayscale’s implementation of staking within an exchange-traded product structure, allowing rewards generated at the network level to be converted into cash proceeds for investors rather than remaining embedded in the fund.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Mintzberg stated: “As the first Ethereum ETP in the U.S. to pass staking rewards through to investors, we’re reinforcing Grayscale’s role as an early leader in bringing new digital-asset capabilities into the ETP wrapper. Another sign that as the top digital asset-focused ETP issuer by AUM, we’re expanding innovations like staking into real investor outcomes.” The Grayscale CEO opined:

Distributing staking rewards to ETHE shareholders is a landmark moment, not just for Grayscale, but for the entire Ethereum community and ETPs at large.

Read more: Grayscale Predicts 10 Crypto Investing Themes Fueling Upside Across 6 Crypto Sectors

The payout totaled $0.083178 per share and is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, for shareholders of record as of Jan. 5, 2026, with ETHE shares set to trade ex-dividend at the market open on the record date.

Grayscale activated staking for its ethereum products in October 2025, becoming the first U.S. issuer to enable staking within an ethereum ETP, alongside the Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF, which trades under the ticker ETH. Both products were renamed in January 2026 to reflect their staking functionality after previously operating as ethereum trust ETFs. The funds hold ether but are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, meaning they are not subject to the same regulatory framework as traditional ETFs and mutual funds and involve risks that include possible loss of principal. Grayscale outlined plans to extend staking features to additional offerings while prioritizing education, transparent reporting, and investor-first practices as yield-oriented mechanisms increasingly intersect with regulated crypto investment vehicles.

FAQ ⏰

• What makes the Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF distribution historic?

It is the first time a U.S.-listed spot crypto ETP has paid staking rewards to shareholders.

• How much was the ETHE staking distribution per share?

The payout totaled $0.083178 per share from ethereum staking rewards.

• When did Grayscale activate staking for its ethereum ETPs?

Grayscale enabled staking for its ethereum products in October 2025.

• Are Grayscale’s ethereum staking ETFs registered under the 1940 Act?

No, the funds are not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.