BlackRockNames Galaxy Digital as Validator for Its Staked Ethereum ETF

TLDR

• BlackRock has appointed Galaxy Digital as an approved validator for its ETHB staked Ethereum ETF.
• As of April 8, ETHB held over $435 million in assets, with $339 million of that amount staked.
• BlackRock uses Figment, Attestant, and Galaxy validators to stake the majority of ETH in ETHB.
• ETHB delivers staking rewards to investors monthly via its ETF structure.
• By the end of 2025, Galaxy had $5 billion in staked assets across Ethereum, Solana, and other networks.

(SeaPRwire) –   BlackRock has included Galaxy Digital in the validator pool for its iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF. This move expands Galaxy’s role in institutional Ethereum staking and supports BlackRock’s push into yield-generating crypto products.

Launched last month, the fund known as ETHB is BlackRock’s first crypto exchange-traded product designed to earn staking rewards. Galaxy joins Figment and Attestant as an approved validator for the fund’s staked Ether.

BlackRock Expands Validator Roster for ETHB

BlackRock confirmed Galaxy Digital as an approved validator for ETHB in a Thursday press release. The ETF is structured to hold Ether and generate staking rewards, aiming to provide investors with regulated access to Ethereum yields through a familiar fund format.

As of April 8, ETHB had over $435 million in assets under management, with approximately $339 million being staked Ether. The fund stakes most of its Ether holdings through institutional validators.

These validators now include Figment, Attestant, and Galaxy. BlackRock stated that staking rewards are distributed to investors monthly, allowing them to access staking income without directly holding Ether.

BlackRock’s Ethereum product follows its broader expansion into digital asset funds. The company’s Bitcoin ETF became a major crypto fund after its 2024 launch, and ETHB now adds a staking feature to that product strategy.

Galaxy Boosts Its Position in Institutional Staking

Galaxy noted that its appointment by BlackRock reflects its work in staking infrastructure. The firm has built validator services for institutions seeking scale and oversight, and this work now places it within one of the largest asset managers’ crypto products.

Steve Kurz, Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at Galaxy, said, “When a firm like BlackRock selects you as a validator, it’s because you’ve demonstrated the systems, the scale, and the accountability they require.” He added, “That trust is something we’ve earned over years of building.”

Galaxy’s digital infrastructure division ended 2025 with $5 billion in staked assets across Ethereum, Solana, and other proof-of-stake networks. This figure underscores the company’s growing presence in blockchain validation services.

The company also expanded its custody network in 2025, completing integrations with BitGo, Zodia Custody, Fireblocks, and Coinbase Prime. These partnerships support institutions needing custody and staking access through established providers.

BlackRock and Galaxy Expand On-Chain Service Offerings

BlackRock framed staking as a core component of Ethereum’s design. The firm stated that experienced validators help uphold the ETF’s structure and operating standards, and it signaled that staking will remain central to ETHB’s appeal.

Robert Mitchnick, who leads BlackRock’s digital assets division, said, “Staking is a core component of the Ethereum ecosystem and we are excited to enable this capability for investors in ETHB.” He added, “Working with experienced providers helps us deliver that capability within the structure and standards our clients expect.”

Galaxy has also expanded its client-facing products, recently adding staking to its GalaxyOne platform. This service allows clients to earn rewards without paying platform commissions.

Beyond staking, Galaxy is developing more on-chain services for institutions. The firm is collaborating with Broadridge on blockchain-based proxy voting on Avalanche, an effort that shows Galaxy’s focus on services extending beyond validation alone.