The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved options trading for various spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), paving the way for institutional investors to utilize more sophisticated strategies in Ether markets. This decision clears the way for exchanges like Nasdaq to list options on funds such as BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), Bitwise’s Ethereum ETF (ETHW), Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (FETH), and Grayscale’s Ethereum Trusts (ETHE and ETH Mini). The move follows months of regulatory review, beginning with BlackRock’s request in July 2024. The SEC highlighted the new products’ lower cost as a key advantage for investors seeking exposure to Ether and hedging existing positions, potentially contributing to stability within the asset class.