Grayscale files for ether futures ETF

Grayscale notched a partial court victory in its battle against the SEC over a potential spot bitcoin ETF last month

article-image

SergeiShimanovich/Shutterstock modified by Blockworks

share

Grayscale is throwing its hat in the ring for an ether futures exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The ETF, which tracks ether futures, would be another way for Grayscale to get exposure to ether as it awaits a decision on its bitcoin ETF.

Since the ETF will only focus on ether futures, the filing clarifies that it will not “transact in ether and will not be required to retain an ether custodian.”

Other firms, including Ark Invest and 21Shares along with Bitwise and ProShares, have also filed for ether futures ETFs.

Read more: Why potential BTC and ETH ETF approvals would be game-changers

Blockworks previously reported that sources confirmed that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is ready to consider the approval of ether futures ETFs. Previously, reports suggested that the SEC pushed for a pause in introducing these types of products. 

An ether futures ETF approval could come as soon as next month.

The filing comes after Grayscale announced that it was abandoning the rights to Ethereum proof-of-work tokens. 

The decision, according to a press release, came after Grayscale and the relevant service providers determined that both the custodian of the products, as well as the service providers, do not “support the ETHPoW tokens, nor have trading venues with meaningful liquidity developed for the ETHPoW tokens.”

Read more: Grayscale court victory used in arguments for spot ether ETF

Grayscale notched a partial victory against the SEC last month after a panel of judges ruled that the SEC must re-examine Grayscale’s application for a spot bitcoin ETF.

The win comes after Grayscale filed a lawsuit against the SEC over the application rejection back in 2022. 

While the win does not mean that Grayscale was immediately able to convert its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to an ETF, it raised hope among those who are awaiting an SEC decision on spot bitcoin ETFs. 

Blackrock, Ark, Fidelity and Franklin Templeton are among the companies looking to launch spot bitcoin ETFs. The SEC, however, delayed its decision on the spot bitcoin ETF applicants until October.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Industry City | Brooklyn, NY

TUES - THURS, JUNE 24 - 26, 2025

Permissionless IV serves as the definitive gathering for crypto’s technical founders, developers, and builders to come together and create the future.If you’re ready to shape the future of crypto, Permissionless IV is where it happens.

Brooklyn, NY

SUN - MON, JUN. 22 - 23, 2025

Blockworks and Cracked Labs are teaming up for the third installment of the Permissionless Hackathon, happening June 22–23, 2025 in Brooklyn, NY. This is a 36-hour IRL builder sprint where developers, designers, and creatives ship real projects solving real problems across […]

recent research

Axiom report graphic.png

Research

Axiom has rapidly become the leading Solana trading bot, capturing over 50% of Solana bot volume and hovering at 3-4% of total Solana memecoin volume just three months post-launch, driven by high user activity and larger average trade sizes.

article-image

Bloomberg Intelligence analysts pegged the odds of the SEC approving US litecoin and solana ETFs in 2025 at 90%

article-image

Digital Assets Subcommittee Chair Bryan Steil called for a “roundtable” discussion in lieu of a formal hearing

article-image

The exchange sees a way to reach gamers through the deal

article-image

The drop gives buyers Adidas outfits for their in-game characters, but the game hasn’t fully released yet

article-image

In 1999, Daniel Bernstein fought for code to be protected, just like free speech