Ethereum (ETH) rallied 14% in the past 24 hours after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formally approved options trading on several spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), sparking optimism across crypto markets.
Options Greenlit for Leading ETH ETFs
The SEC authorized options listings for a group of prominent Ethereum ETFs, including:
- BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA)
- Bitwise Ethereum ETF
- Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust
- Ethereum Mini Trust
What Are Ethereum ETF Options?
ETF options are derivatives that allow investors to buy or sell shares of the underlying ETF at a set price before a specific expiration date. These instruments offer both risk management and speculative opportunities, making them a valuable tool for institutional investors and retail traders alike.
James Seyffart, ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, noted the approval was “100% expected,” given the April 9 decision deadline. Meanwhile, Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, commented that Ethereum could soon see “covered call ETFs, buffer ETFs,” and other derivatives similar to those introduced for Bitcoin.
Delayed Timeline, Predictable Outcome
The approval followed a delay initiated in July 2024, when Nasdaq ISE first proposed launching options for ETHA. While some advocacy groups such as Better Markets urged the SEC to proceed cautiously due to volatility in digital asset markets, the precedent set by Bitcoin ETF options approval in October 2023 smoothed the path for Ethereum.
In a public statement, the SEC stated that ETH options “offer investors a cost-effective avenue to gain exposure to Ether.”
ETH Price Rallies Amid ETF Buzz and Tariff Delay
Following the regulatory announcement and a separate 90-day delay on U.S. tariffs, Ethereum surged to $1,641, according to Coinmarketplace data.
Despite this recent bounce, spot ETH ETFs have struggled in 2025, registering inflows on just four trading days since February 20 and recording over 50% year-to-date losses, per Farside Investors.
Interestingly, inverse Ethereum ETFs have outperformed, with -2x ETH products leading ETF performance rankings, according to Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas.
Still, analysts suggest the new options approval could mark a shift—unlocking new strategies for institutions and expanding retail investor access as Ethereum’s financial ecosystem matures.
