Big news for Ethereum bulls: the SEC just gave the green light for options trading on ETH spot ETFs—and ETH jumped 14% almost immediately.
It’s a big win for both institutional access and retail traders looking for more ways to play the market.
Which ETH ETFs Got Approved?
The SEC’s approval covers several major players:
- BlackRock’s ETHA (iShares Ethereum Trust)
- Bitwise Ethereum ETF
- Grayscale Ethereum Trust
- Ethereum Mini Trust
With this decision, investors can now trade options contracts linked to these ETFs, just like they’ve been doing with Bitcoin ETF options since late 2023.
Why This Matters
Options give traders the right—not the obligation—to buy or sell ETH exposure at a specific price, which means more ways to hedge, speculate, or enhance yield.
Bloomberg’s James Seyffart said this approval was “100% expected,” as the April 9 deadline approached. And Nate Geraci of The ETF Store said we can now expect all kinds of ETH option spinoffs—covered call ETFs, buffered strategies, and more.
Better Late Than Never
This didn’t happen overnight. Nasdaq ISE originally filed to list ETHA options back in July 2024, but the SEC pushed the decision out, citing market volatility concerns raised by Better Markets.
Still, with Bitcoin ETF options already live, it was just a matter of time. The SEC now says ETH options offer “lower-cost tools” for investors to tap into Ether exposure.
ETH Price Jumps on Options News + Tariff Pause
Ethereum is now trading at $1,641, up 14%—fueled by the SEC’s decision and news that President Trump is delaying new tariffs by 90 days for select countries.
That bounce was badly needed. ETH ETFs have been struggling—barely seeing inflows since February and down over 50% YTD, per Farside Investors.
Ironically, inverse ETH ETFs have crushed it. Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas noted that -2x ETH funds are among 2025’s top ETF performers.
But with fresh options now in play, the narrative could flip. These tools may finally give ETH the kind of tailwind Bitcoin got last year—and spark new demand from both institutions and everyday traders.