VanEck files Form 8-A as path towards a spot Ethereum ETF presses on

Quick Take

VanEck filed a Form 8-A on Tuesday morning for its Ethereum product — a move that signifies registration that allows issuers to trade on an exchange once the product has been approved.
Previously firms that were vying for a spot bitcoin ETF filed Form 8-As about a week before those products began listing and trading after getting approval from the SEC.

Fund manager VanEck filed another form to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, marking progress towards a spot Ethereum exchange-traded fund.

VanEck filed a Form 8-A for its Ethereum product — a move that signifies registration that allows issuers to trade on an exchange once the product has been approved.

This comes a few days after firms vying for such a product filed amended registration statements called S-1s (or S-3, in the case of Grayscale, which is seeking to convert its Ethereum Trust to an ETF).

The SEC approved 19b-4 forms for eight Ethereum ETFs last month, though the regulator still has to allow the registration statements to become effective before trading can begin. Previously firms that were vying for a spot bitcoin ETF filed Form 8-As about a week before those products began listing and trading after getting approval from the SEC.

Senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said VanEck's move to file Form 8-A was "just part of [the] process," in a post on X on Tuesday.

"... should be noted that they filed their 8-A for spot bitcoin exactly 7 days before launch," Balchunas added. "Good sign for our July 2nd over/under (7 days from now). But again, anything poss. Sure we'll hear more soon."

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