21Shares Makes 3 Big Changes to XRP, Dogecoin and Ethereum ETFs

Three major changes are taking effect across 21Shares’ US crypto ETF lineup, with Ethereum and Polkadot funds adding “Staking” to their names, FTSE Russell becoming the new pricing benchmark, and sponsor fees moving from weekly to at least quarterly payments.

The changes do not alter the underlying crypto exposure. Instead, they change how the funds are named, valued and operated.

The timing is notable as crypto ETF demand remains strong. XRP ETFs continue to attract fresh inflows, keeping XRP among the most closely watched altcoin ETF markets.

1. Ethereum and Polkadot ETFs Add Staking to Their Names

21Shares has renamed two funds.

The 21Shares Ethereum ETF is now the 21Shares Ethereum Staking ETF, while the 21Shares Polkadot ETF has become the 21Shares Polkadot Staking ETF. SEC filings confirm that the Delaware trusts were formally renamed on August 25.

The change mainly makes an existing feature more visible. The Ethereum fund has already been staking ETH, while the Polkadot fund also stakes part of its DOT holdings to generate rewards.

The Bitcoin, XRP and Dogecoin funds keep their existing names.

2. FTSE Russell Replaces the Previous Price Benchmarks

The second change affects how the funds calculate their daily net asset value.

Starting August 27, the affected 21Shares funds will use FTSE Russell digital asset indices instead of their previous CME CF benchmarks. For example, the Ethereum fund will use the FTSE Ethereum Index, replacing the CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate.

The switch is an infrastructure change rather than a change in what investors own. 21Shares and FTSE Russell said the underlying asset exposure, fund structure, custodians and exchange listings remain unchanged.

For investors, the benchmark matters because it is used to determine the fund’s daily valuation.

3. Sponsor Fees Will Be Paid Less Frequently

The third change involves the timing of sponsor-fee payments.

The funds will move from paying sponsor fees weekly in arrears to at least quarterly in arrears, with payments continuing to be made in the underlying cryptocurrency. The Ethereum filing, for example, specifies that its sponsor fee will be paid in ETH.

Importantly, this is a change in payment timing, not necessarily an increase in the fee rate. The updated agreements are primarily changing when the accumulated fees are paid.

Similar amendments were filed for the XRP and Dogecoin ETFs, with fees continuing to be paid in XRP and DOGE respectively.

Why These ETF Changes Matter

The changes show how quickly crypto ETFs are evolving beyond simple spot exposure.

Staking is becoming a more visible part of the ETF market as issuers look to offer investors an additional source of potential yield. At the same time, switching benchmark providers and adjusting fee-payment schedules changes the operational framework behind these products.

For XRP, the update comes as investor demand remains elevated. For Ethereum and Polkadot, the new “Staking” labels make their yield-generating features much clearer to investors.

The key takeaway is simple: the assets inside these funds are not changing, but the products themselves are becoming more sophisticated.

What Investors Should Watch

The immediate focus will be on how the funds perform after the FTSE Russell transition and whether staking-focused products continue to attract capital.

For investors, the most important factors remain the same: the underlying crypto asset, fees, staking rewards, liquidity and the risks associated with each product.

The latest changes suggest that competition among US crypto ETFs is moving beyond simply tracking prices. Yield, benchmark design and fund structure are becoming increasingly important parts of the race for investor capital.