Connect with us

Market

DAOs Need to Address Critical Issues for Long-Term Success

Published

on


Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have become popular in Web3 as an alternative to traditional organizational structures. Their bottom-up decision-making, driven by token-based voting enforced and executed by smart contracts, aims to increase transparency and participation.

However, as DAOs grow beyond theoretical governance experiments, they face significant hurdles. BeInCrypto spoke with Danny Cooper, Venus Protocol’s Vanguard Team Lead, to understand how low voter turnout, large token holders, and decision paralysis hinder effective leadership.

A Promising Alternative

DAOs were‬‭ once‬‭ hailed‬‭ as‬‭ the‬‭ future‬‭ of‬ governance, structures‬‭ that‬‭ could‬‭ operate‬‭ without‬‭ centralized‬‭ control,‬‭ guided‬‭ purely‬‭ by‬‭ code‬‭ and‬‭ community‬‭ consensus.‬‭ The‬‭ vision‬‭ was‬‭ simple:‬‭ a‬‭ transparent,‬‭ democratic‬‭ system‬‭ where‬‭ every‬‭ participant‬‭ has‬‭ a‬‭ voice‬‭ and‬‭ makes decisions‬‭ through‬‭ token-based‬‭ voting.

These organizations use a blockchain to facilitate self-enforcing rules or protocols. The blockchain’s smart contracts store these rules, while the network’s tokens incentivize users to safeguard the network and vote on regulations.

‭Since the first DAO launched on Ethereum in 2016, these organizations have entered the realms of venture capital, social initiatives, and public goods funding. But with their philosophy now implemented, their flaws have begun to surface. 

DAOs‬‭ often‬‭ struggle‬‭ with‬‭ balancing‬‭ decentralization‬‭ and‬‭ the‬‭ need‬‭ for‬‭ effective‬‭ leadership,‬‭ raising‬‭ questions‬‭ about‬‭ whether‬‭ they‬‭ are‬‭ genuinely‬‭ the‬‭ ideal‬‭ governance‬‭ model or simply a stepping stone toward something more refined.‬

Lowered Voter Turnout

DAOs operate without a central authority, with governance decisions distributed among their members through code-based mechanisms. This decentralized structure was designed to empower members to participate in decision-making through token voting mechanisms.

However, there have been many instances where equally distributed voting power did not yield the expected results. Frequent voting on every issue can discourage participation. 

“As‬‭ DAOs‬‭ grow,‬‭ decision-making‬‭ can‬‭ indeed‬‭ become‬‭ cumbersome,” said Cooper.

Since many DAOs use referendum-style voting, they assume members will thoroughly research proposals. However, time constraints, lack of information, or simple disinterest can lead to low voter turnout or uninformed voting decisions.

Waiting for every DAO member to vote on a proposal can also slow the decision-making process, especially when an urgent solution is needed. 

Segmenting voting matters by priority and topic and assigning them to specific delegates can solve this issue. 

“Decentralized‬‭ decision-making‬‭ can‬‭ scale‬‭ with‬‭ the‬‭ implementation‬‭ of‬‭ sub-DAOs‬‭ and‬‭ layered‬‭ governance‬‭ systems,‬‭ which‬‭ delegate‬‭ decision-making‬‭ to‬‭ smaller,‬‭ focused‬‭ groups.‬‭ This‬‭ approach‬‭ reduces‬‭ operational‬‭ complexity‬‭ while‬‭ empowering‬‭ specialized‬‭ teams‬‭ to‬‭ act‬‭ autonomously‬‭ within‬‭ defined‬‭ boundaries.‬‭ Advanced‬‭ governance‬‭ tooling‬‭ and‬‭ clear,‬‭ codified‬‭ processes‬‭ ensure‬‭ efficiency‬‭ and‬‭ coherence‬‭ across‬‭ a‬‭ growing,‬‭ decentralized‬‭ community,” Cooper added.

Other options can remedy decreased participation, though they also come with risks. 

Increased Centralization Among Major Players

To address low voter turnout, some DAOs allow less active participants to entrust their voting power to more informed members to increase overall engagement. 

However, this system does not eliminate the risk of influence by the original owners. They could still acquire a majority of transferable voting tokens, allowing them to manipulate decisions that may not align with the DAO’s best interests.

Consequently, centralization risks also rise. In December 2024, the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, a research institute based at the University of Cambridge, published a study examining the centralization level among decentralized finance (DeFi) projects.

The analysis focused on the following DAOs: AAVE, Compound Finance, Convex Finance, Curve Finance, Frax Finance, Instadapp, Lido, MakerDao, Rocket Pool, and Uniswap. 

DeFi Gini Coefficient of 10 Leading DAOs.
DeFi Gini Coefficient of 10 Leading DAOs. Source: Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance.

The study revealed that power within several leading DeFi DAOs is highly concentrated, with governance often dominated by a few influential players. 

Researchers used the Gini coefficient to measure the DAOs’ governance token distribution and voting. This coefficient measures the inequality of governance token distribution within these protocols, with 1 representing maximum inequality and 0 representing perfect equality.

 Nations With the Highest Inequality Rates in 2024, per the Gini Coefficient.
Nations With the Highest Inequality Rates in 2024, per the Gini Coefficient. Source: Statista.

The Cambridge study found that these 10 DAOs had Gini coefficients ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 as of October 2024. For comparison, South Africa, the most income-unequal country in the world, had a Gini coefficient of 0.63 in 2024, according to Statista data

MakerDAO had the highest coefficient of 0.99, while Rocket Pool had a coefficient of 0.97.

Whale Activity Compromises DAO Governance

The concentration of voting power among high-net-worth individuals can also marginalize smaller token holders, potentially leading to a situation in which a small group of influential actors effectively controls governance decisions.

“Whale‬‭ influence‬‭ in‬‭ DAOs‬‭ can‬‭ skew‬‭ governance‬‭ outcomes,” said Cooper. 

The concentration of power within some DAOs also raises concerns about potential rent-seeking behavior and conflicts of interest. When token holders are involved in multiple projects, their own interests may influence decisions within a particular DAO, potentially leading to outcomes that do not align with the best interests of the DAO.

A notorious example of whale risks in DAOs came to light in February 2023 when a Bubblemaps investigation revealed that Andreessen Horowitz controlled more than 4% of Uniswap’s UNI token supply. 

A Bubblemaps Investigation Reveals ai16z Whale Activity Over Uniswap's Token Supply.
A Bubblemaps Investigation Reveals a16z Whale Activity Over Uniswap’s Token Supply. Source: Bubblemaps.

Uniswap requires 4% of votes to pass any proposal, meaning that wallets owned by a16z can collectively change the outcome of any governance vote, challenging Uniswap’s claim of having a decentralized governance model. 

The firm used its governance control that month when it leveraged a 15 million UNI token voting block to vote against a proposal to use the Wormhole bridge for Uniswap V3 deployment on the BNB Chain. a16z is apparently heavily invested in rival bridge platform LayerZero, which it favored for the deployment.

According to Cooper, DAOs must implement mechanisms to safeguard the organization from these types of manipulation in cases of governance attacks.

“‭Enhanced‬‭ transparency‬‭ through‬‭ auditable‬‭ voting‬‭ records‬‭ and‬‭ the‬‭ introduction‬‭ of‬‭ reputation-based‬‭ deterrents‬‭ penalize‬‭ malicious‬‭ actors,‬‭ while‬‭ layered‬‭ safeguards‬‭ like‬‭ quorum‬‭ thresholds‬‭ prevent‬‭ collusion‬‭ and‬‭ vote-buying‬‭ from‬‭ compromising‬ governance integrity,” he said.

Ensuring that these mechanisms work will prove vital to avoid critical threats like vote-buying, whale activity, or collusion. 

Scalability Issues

Many of the issues facing DAOs are directly or indirectly linked to the limitations in their scalability. These challenges pose significant risks to long-term growth and development. 

As the number of participants and the volume of transactions increase, the DAO’s infrastructure may struggle to keep pace, potentially leading to delays in processing transactions and other inefficiencies.

Balancing the diverse interests of a DAO’s various stakeholders while simultaneously incentivizing desired behaviors and outcomes presents a significant operational challenge. 

“Without central authority, setting long-term goals requires clear structure and alignment incentives. ‭ A‬‭ clear‬‭ roadmap,‬‭ built‬‭ collaboratively‬‭ and‬‭ tied‬‭ to‬‭ measurable‬‭ milestones,‬‭ ensures‬‭ the‬‭ DAO‬‭ remains‬‭ focused‬‭ and‬‭ unified‬‭ across‬‭ its‬‭ decentralized community,” Cooper told BeInCrypto.‬

Similarly, the ongoing maintenance and upgrade of a DAO’s technical infrastructure, including smart contracts, voting mechanisms, and communication channels, is crucial for its smooth and effective operation. 

In terms of accessibility, enhancing user experience requires developing and maintaining user-friendly tools. These could be intuitive voting platforms, efficient proposal management systems, and accessible decision-making interfaces.

Since one of the core principles of DAOs is a merit-based contribution, the organization should reward individuals based on the value they contribute.

Therefore, the successful operation of a DAO also requires careful consideration and management of its economic incentives. Initiatives could take the form of effective token distribution models, staking mechanisms, and reward structures. 

Alignment with jurisdictional regulations will also be paramount.

The legal status of DAOs remains largely unclear within most jurisdictions. Their decentralized and autonomous nature presents challenges for traditional legal frameworks, typically designed for centralized entities with clearly defined legal structures. 

As a result, most governments lack specific regulations and legal frameworks to address DAOs’ unique legal and operational characteristics.

Challenges include difficulties in designating legal entity status, ensuring transparency in registration, and addressing the operational complexities associated with decentralization, anonymity, and borderlessness. This ambiguity can erode investor confidence, hinder innovation, and create significant challenges in ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

However, some jurisdictions have made progress. For instance, Wyoming passed a bill that provides a framework for DAOs of at least 100 members to become unincorporated nonprofit associations. 

In 2021, the state passed the Decentralized Autonomous Organization Supplement Act, which extended Wyoming’s LLC laws to include DAOs and provided the first legal framework for their creation and management within the state.

“Emerging‬‭ solutions‬‭ include‬‭ DAO-specific‬‭ legal‬‭ entities,‬‭ such‬‭ as‬‭ Wyoming’s‬‭ DAO‬‭ LLC,‬‭ and‬‭ jurisdictional‬‭ sandbox‬‭ programs‬‭ will‬‭ enable‬‭ DAOs‬‭ to‬‭ operate‬‭ with‬‭ legal‬‭ clarity‬‭ while‬‭ maintaining‬‭ the‬‭ decentralized‬‭ ethos.‬‭ Self-regulation,‬‭ backed‬‭ by‬‭ auditability‬‭ and‬‭ consistent‬‭ community‬‭ oversight,‬‭ strengthens‬‭ both‬‭ accountability‬‭ and‬‭ credibility,” Cooper told BeInCrypto.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also introduced a structured legal framework for DAOs through the RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO) last October. 

The move also signaled a growing recognition of the potential that DAOs offer.

Fixing Issues Will Be Critical for a Sustainable Future

At large, DAOs offer a potential paradigm shift in corporate governance, presenting an alternative to traditional corporate structures. This decentralized model, with its emphasis on transparency and equitable participation, holds the potential to significantly impact the formation, management, and regulation of companies in the long term.

However, while their potential remains significant, several key challenges must be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption of DAOs beyond current niches.

“To‬‭ thrive‬‭ in‬‭ these‬‭ areas,‬‭ hybrid‬‭ governance‬‭ models‬‭ that‬‭ integrate‬‭ expert‬‭ advisory‬‭ boards‬‭ with‬‭ community‬‭ oversight‬‭ will‬‭ be‬‭ critical,‬‭ ensuring‬‭ technical‬‭ precision‬‭ alongside decentralized values,” Cooper concluded. ‬

To ensure the success of these governance models, stakeholders must address critical challenges, including the need for greater regulatory clarity, the development of a sustainable technological infrastructure, and the elimination of centralization risks.

Disclaimer

Following the Trust Project guidelines, this feature article presents opinions and perspectives from industry experts or individuals. BeInCrypto is dedicated to transparent reporting, but the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of BeInCrypto or its staff. Readers should verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Market

Will the SEC Approve Ethereum ETF Staking?

Published

on


Since early 2025, exchanges such as Cboe BZX and NYSE Arca have submitted proposals to the US SEC to incorporate staking services into existing spot ETFs. If approved, these funds could accelerate crypto adoption by giving traditional investors streamlined access to ETH.

Brian Fabian Crain, CEO and Co-founder of Chorus One, told BeInCrypto he remains “cautiously optimistic” about the proposals gaining approval before the end of President Trump’s first term. Still, he emphasized that the SEC will likely focus on ensuring strict investor protections before moving forward.

The Push for Staked Ethereum ETFs in the US

In mid-February, both Cboe BZX Exchange and NYSE Arca took steps towards Ethereum staking ETFs. Cboe BZX filed to amend the 21Shares ETF, while NYSE Arca followed two days later with a similar proposal for Grayscale’s ETF offerings.

Staking is a fundamental component of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchains. Instead of relying on energy-intensive mining, such as in Proof-of-Work blockchains like Bitcoin, PoS networks select participants. 

These participants act as validators and are in charge of verifying and adding new transactions, or blocks, to the blockchain based on the amount of cryptocurrency they have “staked” or locked up.   

If approved, these Ethereum ETFs would allow traditional investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency while also earning passive income by contributing to the security of the Ethereum network through staking.

This move would also represent another significant step forward for institutional crypto adoption.

“The‬‭ approval‬‭ of‬‭ an‬‭ Ethereum‬‭ staking‬‭ ETF‬‭ would‬‭ mark‬‭ a‬‭ watershed‬‭ for‬‭ institutional‬‭ adoption.‬‭ Indeed,‬‭ a‬‭ staking-enabled‬‭ ETF‬‭ provides‬‭ a‬‭ regulated,‬‭ easy-to-access‬‭ exposure‬‭ to‬‭ ETH‬‭ that‬ includes‬‭ its‬‭ native‬‭ yield,‬‭ all‬‭ within‬‭ the‬‭ familiar‬‭ ETF‬‭ framework.‬‭ This‬‭ means‬‭ asset‬‭ managers‬‭ and‬ pensions‬‭ could‬‭ gain‬‭ passive‬‭ ETH‬‭ exposure‬‭ without‬‭ handling‬‭ private‬‭ keys‬‭ or‬‭ navigating‬‭ crypto‬‭ exchanges, significantly lowering operational barriers,” Crain told BeInCrypto. 

It would also enhance Ethereum’s market position relative to other crypto assets.

Can Staking Yield Revitalize Ethereum’s Market Position?

Throughout much of 2024 and early 2025, Ethereum’s price appreciation lagged significantly behind Bitcoin. The ETH/BTC ratio hit a record low in early April 2025, indicating that Bitcoin was outperforming Ethereum.

Fluctuations in the broader crypto market further complicated Ethereum’s market position. Earlier this month, the network reached its lowest price in two years, eroding investor confidence. 

Ethereum's price performance over the past three months. Source: BeInCrypto.
Ethereum’s price performance over the past three months. Source: BeInCrypto.

With increasing support from exchanges and asset managers for an Ethereum-staking ETF, a development of this scale can potentially reposition Ethereum.

“One key differentiator of Ethereum is its ability to generate yield through staking — something Bitcoin doesn’t offer. Enabling that feature within an ETF makes Ethereum-based products more attractive and competitive. Ethereum’s ~3% annual staking yield is a major draw for investors and a clear distinction from Bitcoin. It means that even if ETH’s price growth trails Bitcoin’s, staked ETH can still deliver higher total returns thanks to the yield. By packaging this yield into an ETF, Ethereum becomes a more compelling investment option for institutions focused on income,” Crain explained.

Allowing staking within an ETF structure would spur greater ETH demand and investor appetite and enhance Ethereum’s security by expanding the validator pool and decentralizing staking across a wider range of holders.

Increased total staked ETH would further strengthen the network against attacks.

With other jurisdictions already legally permitting staking services, the United States might see their early adoption as a reason to act quickly and maintain a competitive edge.

How Hong Kong’s Staking Approval Impacts the US SEC

This week, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced new guidance allowing licensed crypto exchanges and funds in the city to offer staking services. Platforms must meet strict conditions before providing these services.

“‭The‬‭ SFC’s‬‭ framework‬‭ emphasizes‬‭ investor‬ protection‬‭ while‬‭ embracing‬‭ innovation.‬‭ For‬‭ example,‬‭ Hong‬‭ Kong‬‭ requires‬‭ that‬‭ platforms‬‭ retain‬‭ full control of client assets (no outsourcing) and disclose all staking risks transparently,” Crain explained.

Hong Kong set itself apart from other jurisdictions like Singapore, which banned retail staking in 2023, and the previous SEC’s administration on Gary Gensler, which took a historically restrictive approach.

Crain believes this new development will primarily exert competitive pressure on the SEC to follow accordingly. 

“‬‭As‬‭ a‬‭ major‬ international‬‭ financial‬‭ hub,‬‭ Hong‬‭ Kong’s‬‭ adoption‬‭ of‬‭ regulated‬‭ staking‬‭ sends‬‭ a‬‭ message:‬‭ it‬‭ is‬ possible‬‭ to‬‭ allow‬‭ staking‬‭ in‬‭ a‬‭ compliant‬‭ manner.‬‭ US‬‭ regulators‬‭ often‬‭ watch‬‭ regimes‬‭ like‬‭ Hong‬ Kong‬‭ as‬‭ bellwethers‬‭ for‬‭ emerging‬‭ best‬‭ practices.‬‭ The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ take‬‭ note‬‭ that‬‭ Hong‬‭ Kong‬‭ is‬‭ not‬ only‬‭ allowing‬‭ staking‬‭ but‬‭ even‬‭ paving‬‭ the‬‭ way‬‭ for‬‭ staking‬‭ services‬‭ in‬‭ ETFs‬‭ (the‬‭ SFC’s‬‭ rules‬ mention authorized virtual asset funds can offer staking under certain caps and conditions),” he said.

‭Incorporating staking into Hong Kong-listed crypto ETFs would put US funds and exchanges at a competitive disadvantage if the SEC maintains its prohibition. 

When reviewing the 21Shares and Grayscale applications, the SEC may need to consider that global investors could turn to international markets to access these staking ETF products if the US doesn’t eventually allow them.

While the competitive aspect is a factor, the SEC will also need to address various complexities inherent in Ethereum staking, which may be obstacles to final approval.

The “Investment Contract” Conundrum

Among the most important factors the SEC will consider is whether staking programs constitute investment contracts. 

The previous administration’s SEC targeted centralized exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase for operating staking services considered unregistered profit schemes and violating US securities laws. 

In centralized exchanges, users must effectively transfer custody of their cryptocurrency to a third-party entity that manages staking and the distribution of rewards. However, this model is distinct from the process inherent in Ethereum, a decentralized blockchain.

“Unlike‬‭ exchange‬‭ staking‬‭ programs‬‭,‬‭ an‬‭ ETF‬‭ staking‬‭ its‬‭ own‬‭ assets‬‭ isn’t‬‭ ‘selling’‬‭ a‬‭ staking‬‭ service‬‭ to‬‭ others,‬‭ it’s‬‭ directly‬‭ participating‬‭ in‬‭ network‬‭ consensus.‬ This‬‭ nuance,‬‭ emphasized‬‭ in‬‭ recent‬‭ filings‬‭ and‬‭ comment‬‭ letters,‬‭ is‬‭ contributing‬‭ to‬‭ the‬‭ SEC’s‬‭ willingness‬‭ to‬‭ reconsider its stance.‬‭ Essentially,‬‭ the‬‭ argument‬‭ is‬‭ that‬‭ staking‬‭ is‬‭ a‬‭ core‬‭ technical‬‭ feature‬‭ of‬‭ Ethereum,‬‭ not‬‭ an‬‭ ancillary‬‭ investment‬‭ product,” Crain told BeInCrypto.

While an ETF staking its assets presents a different model, the SEC will look closely for security violations. Addressing this concern requires demonstrating that protocol rewards originate inherently from the decentralized network, not the sponsor’s business efforts.

This issue, though largely conceptual, is critical; SEC approval hinges on satisfying securities law requirements regarding staking.

Meanwhile, slashing risks are another issue of concern.

Slashing Risks: A Unique Challenge for Ethereum Staking ETFs?

A key difference from traditional commodity funds is that a staking ETF must actively participate in network consensus, exposing it to the potential for slashing.

Slashing is a penalty where a portion of the staked ETH can be destroyed if a validator acts improperly or makes mistakes. For investors, the ETF’s principal could suffer partial losses due to operational errors, a risk not present in non-staking ETFs.

“‬‭The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ assess‬‭ how‬‭ significant‬‭ this‬‭ risk‬‭ is‬‭ and‬‭ whether‬‭ it’s‬‭ been‬‭ mitigated.‬‭ Filings‬‭ note‬‭ that‬‭ the‬‭ Sponsor‬‭ will‬‭ not‬‭ cover‬‭ slashing‬‭ losses‬‭ on‬‭ behalf‬‭ of‬‭ the‬‭ trust,‬‭ meaning‬‭ investors‬‭ bear‬‭ that‬‭ risk.‬‭ This‬‭ forces‬‭ the‬‭ SEC‬‭ to‬‭ consider‬‭ if‬‭ average‬‭ investors‬‭ can‬‭ tolerate‬‭ the‬‭ possibility‬‭ of‬‭ losing‬‭ funds‬‭ not‬‭ due‬‭ to‬‭ market‬‭ movement‬‭ but‬‭ due‬‭ to‬‭ a‬‭ technical‬‭ protocol‬‭ penalty.‬‭ This‬‭ risk‬‭ must‬‭ be‬‭ transparently disclosed and managed in any approved product,” Crain explained. 

Typically, custodians have insurance for asset loss due to theft or cyberattacks. However, slashing is a protocol-enforced penalty, not traditional “theft,” and many custody insurance policies might not cover it. Therefore, the SEC will likely inquire about the safeguards should a slashing event occur.

This novel aspect of Ethereum staking creates certain ambiguities in accounting treatment.

“The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ scrutinize‬‭ how‬‭ the‬‭ custodian‬‭ reports‬‭ on‬‭ staked‬‭ holdings.‬‭ The‬‭ ETF’s‬‭ [net asset value‭ accounting‬‭ needs‬‭ to‬‭ capture‬‭ both‬‭ the‬‭ base‬‭ ETH‬‭ and‬‭ the‬‭ accumulated‬‭ rewards.‬‭ Custodians‬‭ will likely‬‭ provide‬‭ reporting‬‭ on‬‭ how‬‭ much‬‭ ETH‬‭ is‬‭ staked‬‭ versus‬‭ liquid,‬‭ and‬‭ any‬‭ rewards‬‭ received.‬‭ The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ require‬‭ independent‬‭ audits‬‭ or‬‭ attestations‬‭ confirming‬‭ that‬‭ the‬‭ custodian‬‭ indeed‬‭ holds‬‭ the‬‭ ETH‬‭ it‬‭ claims‬‭ (both‬‭ original‬‭ and‬‭ any‬‭ newly‬‭ awarded‬‭ ETH)‬‭ and‬‭ that‬‭ controls‬‭ around‬‭ staking are effective,” Crain explained.

Liquidity risks associated with Ethereum staking are another factor to consider.

Further SEC Considerations

A key detail the SEC will examine is that staked ETH lacks instant liquidity. 

Even after the Shanghai upgrade enabled withdrawals in 2023, the Ethereum protocol still incorporates delays and queues that prevent staked ETH from being instantly liquid upon initiating the unstaking process.

“The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ examine‬‭ how‬‭ the‬‭ fund‬‭ handles‬‭ redemption‬‭ requests‬‭ if‬‭ a‬‭ large‬‭ portion‬‭ of‬‭ assets‬‭ are‬‭ locked‬‭ in‬‭ staking.‬‭ For‬‭ example,‬‭ exiting‬‭ a‬‭ validator‬‭ position‬‭ can‬‭ take‬‭ from‬‭ days‬‭ to‬‭ weeks‬‭ if‬‭ there’s‬‭ a‬‭ backlog‬‭ (due‬‭ to‬‭ the‬‭ network’s‬‭ exit‬‭ queue‬‭ and‬‭ “churn‬‭ limit”‬‭ on‬‭ how‬‭ many‬‭ validators‬‭ can‬‭ unlock‬‭ per‬‭ epoch),” Chain told BeInCrypto. 

During heavy outflows,‬‭ the‬‭ fund‬‭ might‬‭ not‬‭ immediately‬‭ access‬‭ all‬‭ its‬‭ ETH‬‭ to‬‭ meet‬‭ redemptions.‬‭ The‬‭ SEC‬‭ sees‬‭ this‬‭ as‬‭ a‬‭ structural‬‭ complexity that could harm investors if not planned for.‬

“In‬‭ a‬‭ worst-case‬‭ scenario,‬‭ if‬‭ the‬‭ ETF‬‭ had‬‭ to‬‭ wait‬‭ days‬‭ or‬‭ weeks‬‭ to‬‭ fully‬‭ exit‬‭ staking‬‭ positions,‬‭ an‬‭ investor‬‭ redeeming‬‭ could‬‭ either‬‭ wait‬‭ longer‬‭ for‬‭ their‬‭ proceeds‬‭ or‬‭ get‬‭ paid‬‭ in-kind‬‭ with‬‭ staked‬‭ ETH‬‭ (which‬‭ they‬‭ then‬‭ must‬‭ figure‬‭ out‬‭ how‬‭ to‬‭ redeem‬‭ themselves).‬‭ This‬‭ isn’t‬‭ a‬‭ typical‬‭ concern‬‭ in‬‭ ETFs‬‭ and‬‭ is‬‭ a‬‭ potential‬‭ downside‬‭ for‬‭ investors‬‭ expecting high liquidity,” Crain added. 

Finally, there are also security risks that must be addressed responsibly.  

The “Point-and-Click” Model

Securing custody for Ethereum in an ETF is already crucial, and adding staking will increase the SEC’s scrutiny.

“‬The‬‭ SEC‬‭ will‬‭ examine‬‭ how‬‭ the‬‭ ETF’s‬‭ custodian‬‭ secures‬‭ the‬‭ ETH‬‭ private‬‭ keys,‬‭ especially‬‭ since‬‭ those‬‭ keys‬‭ (or‬‭ derivative‬‭ keys)‬‭ will‬‭ be‬‭ used‬‭ to‬‭ stake.‬‭ Normally,‬‭ custodians‬‭ use‬‭ cold‬‭ storage‬‭ for‬‭ crypto‬‭ assets,‬‭ but‬‭ staking‬‭ requires‬‭ keys‬‭ to‬‭ be‬‭ online‬‭ in‬‭ a‬‭ validator.‬‭ The‬‭ challenge‬‭ is‬‭ to‬‭ minimize‬‭ exposure while still participating in staking,” Crain said. 

Recognizing the vulnerability of keys during validator activation, the SEC will most likely require custodians to use cutting-edge security modules to prevent hacking. Any prior incidents of security breaches involving a custodian would raise serious concerns.

Aiming to lessen these risks, some exchanges have proposed that the ETH for staking remain within the custodian’s control at all times. This model is largely referred to as a “point-and-click” mechanism.

“NYSE‬‭ Arca’s‬‭ proposal‬‭ to‬‭ allow‬‭ the‬‭ Grayscale‬‭ Ethereum‬‭ Trust‬‭ (and‬‭ a‬‭ smaller‬‭ ‘Mini’‬‭ trust)‬‭ to‬‭ stake‬‭ its‬‭ Ether‬‭ via‬‭ a‬‭ ‘point-and-click’‬‭ mechanism‬‭ is‬‭ a‬‭ test‬‭ case‬‭ that‬‭ will‬‭ significantly‬‭ inform‬‭ the‬‭ SEC’s‬‭ evaluation‬‭ of‬‭ staking‬‭ in‬‭ an‬‭ ETF‬‭ context.‬‭ The‬‭ point-and-click‬‭ staking‬‭ model‬‭ is‬‭ essentially‬‭ a‬‭ way‬‭ to‬‭ stake‬‭ without‬‭ altering‬‭ the‬‭ fundamental‬‭ custody‬‭ or‬‭ introducing‬‭ extra‬‭ complexities‬‭ for‬‭ investors.‬‭ In‬‭ practice,‬‭ this‬‭ means‬‭ the‬‭ trust’s‬‭ custodian‬‭ would‬‭ simply‬‭ enable‬‭ staking‬‭ on‬‭ the‬‭ held‬‭ ETH‬‭ through‬‭ an‬‭ interface.‬‭ The‬‭ coins‬‭ don’t‬‭ leave‬‭ the‬‭ custody‬‭ wallet,‬‭ and‬‭ the‬‭ process‬‭ is‬‭ as‬‭ straightforward as clicking a button,” Crain explained. 

The proposal directly tackles the SEC’s security worries by emphasizing that the ETH never leaves the custodian, thereby minimizing the theft risk. Furthermore, it clarifies that the yield is generated automatically by the network, not through the entrepreneurial endeavors of a third party.

When Will the SEC Approve Staking in Ethereum ETFs?

Despite the complexities and technical details of staking in Ethereum ETFs, the prevailing political climate in the US could lead to a more favorable environment for their eventual approval.

“On balance, it now seems more likely than not that the SEC will approve a staking feature for Ethereum ETFs in the relatively near future. A more receptive SEC leadership post-2025, strong political backing for staking in ETPs, and well-crafted proposals addressing earlier concerns — such as the point-and-click model — all tilt the odds toward approval. A year or two ago, the SEC was firmly opposed. Now, the conversation has shifted to ‘how to do this safely,’ which marks a significant change,” Crain told BeInCrypto.

That said, Crain cautioned that the SEC will not approve an ETF of this kind until it’s fully satisfied with the investor protections in place. Even so, the overall outlook remains positive.

“‬‭Considering‬‭ all‬‭ the‬‭ factors‬‭ discussed,‬‭ the‬‭ outlook‬‭ for‬‭ an‬‭ Ethereum‬‭ staking‬‭ ETF‬‭ approval‬‭ appears‬‭ cautiously‬‭ optimistic.‬‭ The‬‭ likelihood‬‭ of‬‭ eventual‬‭ approval‬‭ is‬‭ growing,‬‭ though‬‭ the‬‭ timing‬‭ remains a subject of debate,” Crain concluded. 

In the best-case scenario, an Ethereum staking ETF could gain approval by the end of 2025.

Disclaimer

Following the Trust Project guidelines, this feature article presents opinions and perspectives from industry experts or individuals. BeInCrypto is dedicated to transparent reporting, but the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of BeInCrypto or its staff. Readers should verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

Binance and the SEC File for Pause in Lawsuit

Published

on



The SEC and Binance filed a joint motion to pause their lawsuit for 60 days. They requested a prior pause 60 days ago and have “been in productive discussions” since then.

Both parties have asked for more time to finalize an agreement and consider all the relevant policy implications. In the main, however, it’s a substantially similar agreement to the one between the SEC and Ripple yesterday.

Binance and SEC Discussing a Settlement

The SEC has been dropping a lot of its most prominent enforcement actions lately, such as its lawsuit against Ripple. Still, despite this progress, a few outstanding cases remain.

The SEC has been ending lawsuits against prominent exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken, and now it’s preparing to drop one against Binance:

“Pursuant to the Court’s February 13, 2025 Minute Order, Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission and Defendants Binance Holdings Limited… and Changpeng Zhao submit this joint status report and jointly move to continue to stay this case for a period of 60 additional days,” a motion filed today read.

Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange, and it has been engaged in this fight since 2023. The SEC sued Binance in June of that year, alleging that it committed a few serious crimes.

In addition to violating securities laws, the Commission also claims that Binance deliberately lied to regulators. This caused serious problems for its business, prompting a lengthy battle.

The SEC, however, is under new management now. Paul Atkins is the Commission’s new Chair, and he’s prioritized friendly crypto regulation. 

Before his confirmation, the SEC, under Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, filed a joint request with Binance to pause the lawsuit 60 days ago, and they’re asking for another extension.

Today’s filing is slightly shorter than the previous one, but it suggests that real progress has been made. It claims that Binance and the SEC “have been in productive discussions” concerning the Crypto Task Force and broader policy implications of a settlement. However, they still need more time to fully consider a resolution.

This agreement is similar to the one filed yesterday. Specifically, the Commission also requested a 60-day pause in a cross-appeal from Ripple, attempting to tie up loose ends without wasting the court’s resources.

There are a few subtle differences, but Binance’s filing with the SEC attempts to meet the same basic goals.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

Crypto Whales Are Buying These Altcoins Post Tariffs Pause

Published

on


Crypto whales are making bold moves following Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause, with Ethereum (ETH), Mantra (OM), and Onyxcoin (XCN) drawing significant accumulation.

ETH whales pushed holdings to their highest level since September 2023, while OM holders are quietly increasing exposure amid the growing real-world asset narrative. XCN, meanwhile, saw a sharp spike in whale activity alongside a 50% price surge in just 24 hours.

Ethereum (ETH)

The broader crypto market rallied after Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs—excluding China—boosting investor sentiment across risk assets.

Ethereum followed suit, with on-chain data showing a rise in crypto whales activity; the number of addresses holding between 1,000 and 10,000 ETH climbed from 5,376 to 5,417 between April 9 and 10, reaching its highest level since September 2023.

Number of Addresses Holding Between 1,000 and 10,000 ETH.
Number of Addresses Holding Between 1,000 and 10,000 ETH. Source: Santiment.

If Ethereum can maintain this renewed momentum, it may test key resistance levels at $1,749 and potentially rally further toward $1,954 and $2,104. However, macroeconomic uncertainty still looms.

A sentiment reversal could see Ethereum price retesting the $1,412 support zone. If that level fails, a deeper decline toward $1,200—or even $1,000—is possible.

Some analysts have gone as far as comparing Ethereum’s decline to Nokia’s historical collapse, warning of long-term structural weakness.

Mantra (OM)

Real-world assets (RWAs) on the blockchain have hit a new all-time high, surpassing $20 billion in total value, reinforcing their growing importance as a crypto narrative and sector.

Binance Research also highlighted that RWA tokens have shown more resilience than Bitcoin during tariff-related volatility, further boosting confidence in the sector.

Number of Addresses Holding Between 10,000 and 100,000 OM.
Number of Addresses Holding Between 10,000 and 100,000 OM. Source: Santiment.

With the RWA narrative gaining traction, OM could see significant upside. Between April 6 and April 10, the number of OM whale addresses holding between 10,000 and 100,000 tokens rose from 386 to 389, signaling quiet accumulation.

If OM breaks past the resistance levels at $6.51 and $6.85, it could climb above $7. However, if the momentum fades, a correction could push the token down to $6.11, with further downside risk toward $5.68.

Onyxcoin (XCN)

Onyxcoin (XCN) has surged over 50% in the past 24 hours, breaking above the $0.02 mark as whale accumulation intensifies.

Between April 7 and April 10, the number of addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XCN rose from 503 to 532, signaling renewed interest from large holders.

Number of Addresses Holding Between 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 XCN.
Number of Addresses Holding Between 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 XCN. Source: Santiment.

If this strong bullish momentum continues, XCN could rally toward resistance levels at $0.026, $0.033, and even $0.040. However, given the rapid price increase in a short timeframe, a correction may follow.

In that case, XCN could retest support at $0.020, with potential downside extending to $0.014 if selling pressure accelerates.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io