10-5-2025 – BlackRock, the world’s premier asset management powerhouse, has engaged in crucial discussions with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the future of digital asset investment vehicles.
The dialogue, which took place during a Friday meeting with the SEC’s specialist cryptocurrency task force, centred on innovative approaches to digital asset regulation, with particular emphasis on staking mechanisms and options trading for crypto-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The regulatory landscape has witnessed a remarkable shift since the departure of former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, who had maintained a notably cautious stance, frequently highlighting concerns about fraud and market manipulation within the cryptocurrency sphere. His tenure was marked by numerous enforcement actions against prominent crypto enterprises, many of which were subsequently abandoned following his January exit.
The current administration, under Chair Paul Atkins’ leadership, appointed by President Trump, has adopted a markedly different perspective, expressing optimism about digital assets’ potential whilst advocating for a constructive regulatory framework in collaboration with legislative bodies.
During the discussions, BlackRock’s Digital Assets chief, Robert Mitchnick, who had previously acknowledged the “complex challenges” of incorporating staking capabilities into spot Ethereum ETFs, participated in exploring potential solutions. Despite these hurdles, Mitchnick had earlier suggested that successfully implementing staking could represent a significant advancement for the industry.
The consultation also delved into establishing parameters for options trading on cryptocurrency ETFs, addressing crucial aspects such as liquidity thresholds and position limits. This follows the SEC’s recent authorisation of options trading on spot Ethereum ETFs for several major firms, including BlackRock, Grayscale, and Bitwise.
