VanEck withdrew its application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an exchange-traded fund that would have held Lido’s staked Ether (stETH). The fund was designed to give investors exposure to stETH and its staking rewards through traditional brokerage accounts.
The withdrawal was filed on October 14, 2026, and reported by multiple outlets on October 15. VanEck gave no specific reason for pulling the application, halting the fund’s path to market before a regulatory decision.
The move comes amid uncertainty around more complex, staking-based crypto investment products, even as spot Ether ETFs have been approved. It underscores regulatory hurdles for funds based on liquid staking derivatives and leaves the timeline for such products uncertain. It may also signal a more cautious approach from institutional players.