Key Takeaways
- • VanEck Digital Assets filed a Form RW withdrawal request dated October 14, 2026, asking the SEC to withdraw its registration for the Lido Staked Ethereum ETF, with no shares issued or sold.
- • The Form S-1 (File No. 333-290918), originally filed October 16, 2025, was never declared effective, and the filing states the sponsor does not intend to proceed with the planned distribution of shares.
- • The filing gives no reason for the withdrawal, and the letter signed by vice president Matthew A. Babinsky offers no motive.
- • The withdrawal is voluntary rather than an SEC rejection, and the filing does not show the regulator's response to the consent request.
- • The move closes this registration only; it does not address the stETH token, the Lido DAO, LDO, or a potential future staking ETF from another sponsor.
Summary
As of October 15, 2026, VanEck's planned Lido Staked Ethereum ETF is off the table. According to the filing, as reported by Coin Gabbar, sponsor VanEck Digital Assets, LLC submitted a Form RW withdrawal request dated October 14, 2026, asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to withdraw the registration for the fund. The request invokes Rule 477 of the Securities Act of 1933 and covers the Form S-1 registration statement (File No. 333-290918), along with all amendments and exhibits. The original S-1 was filed on October 16, 2025.
According to the filing, the registration was never declared effective and no shares were issued or sold. VanEck states it no longer intends to proceed with the planned distribution of the fund's shares, and the withdrawal occurs before any preliminary prospectus was distributed. Lido's own earlier announcement had described the product as a compliant, tax-efficient route to stETH exposure for institutions.
The letter, signed by vice president Matthew A. Babinsky, does not state a reason for the withdrawal. Coverage by The Block also noted the absence of an explanation. Because the filing gives no motive, any explanation remains speculative. The request is a voluntary pullback rather than an SEC rejection, and the filing does not show whether the regulator has consented. Any SEC withdrawal order would likely appear on EDGAR.
The filing concerns only this fund registration. It does not mention the stETH token, the Lido DAO, or LDO, and it does not rule out a future Ethereum staking or liquid staking ETF from other sponsors. A new filing would be required for any replacement product, and VanEck's letter announces none. For market context, CoinGecko data as of October 15, 2026 showed stETH/ETH at 1.001955, with a 7-day range of 0.9995 to 1.0023 ETH and stETH priced at $2,334.50. No source links these price movements to the withdrawal.
According to the filing, the registration was never declared effective and no shares were issued or sold. VanEck states it no longer intends to proceed with the planned distribution of the fund's shares, and the withdrawal occurs before any preliminary prospectus was distributed. Lido's own earlier announcement had described the product as a compliant, tax-efficient route to stETH exposure for institutions.
The letter, signed by vice president Matthew A. Babinsky, does not state a reason for the withdrawal. Coverage by The Block also noted the absence of an explanation. Because the filing gives no motive, any explanation remains speculative. The request is a voluntary pullback rather than an SEC rejection, and the filing does not show whether the regulator has consented. Any SEC withdrawal order would likely appear on EDGAR.
The filing concerns only this fund registration. It does not mention the stETH token, the Lido DAO, or LDO, and it does not rule out a future Ethereum staking or liquid staking ETF from other sponsors. A new filing would be required for any replacement product, and VanEck's letter announces none. For market context, CoinGecko data as of October 15, 2026 showed stETH/ETH at 1.001955, with a 7-day range of 0.9995 to 1.0023 ETH and stETH priced at $2,334.50. No source links these price movements to the withdrawal.
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