# SEC Guidance Exempts Liquid Staking from Securities Regulation ▴ News

**Published:** 2025-08-06
**Categories:** News

---

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent guidance on liquid staking fundamentally reconfigures the regulatory landscape for specific digital asset protocols. This declaration, asserting that certain liquid staking activities do not constitute securities, significantly reduces the compliance burden for market participants. The systemic implication is a clearer operational framework for [decentralized finance](https://prime.greeks.live/area/decentralized-finance/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite), which can enhance market liquidity and institutional adoption. This directive clarifies that the issuance and sale of [staking receipt tokens](https://prime.greeks.live/area/staking-receipt-tokens/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite), under defined circumstances, are not subject to securities registration, provided the underlying crypto assets are not part of an investment contract.

This distinction is crucial for the architectural integrity of staking protocols, enabling more robust development and integration within the broader financial ecosystem. The immediate consequence is a potential acceleration in the approval of staking within proposed spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds, which represents a material shift in capital allocation strategies.

The SEC’s clarification on liquid staking as non-securities under specific conditions establishes a critical regulatory precedent, fostering institutional confidence and potentially enabling new product structures within the digital asset derivatives market.

- **Regulatory Status** ▴ [Liquid staking](https://prime.greeks.live/area/liquid-staking/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) activities are not securities under specific conditions.

- **Affected Entities** ▴ Lido, Marinade Finance, JitoSOL, Stakewise, and proposed spot [Ethereum ETFs](https://prime.greeks.live/area/ethereum-etfs/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite).

- **Strategic Consequence** ▴ Potential for accelerated approval of staking in spot Ethereum ETFs.

Signal Acquired from ▴ <a href="https://www.theblock.co/post/365708/sec-declares-liquid-staking-is-outside-of-securities-laws-in-latest-guidance-following-project-crypto-initiative?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Block</a> 

![A dark, articulated multi-leg spread structure crosses a simpler underlying asset bar on a teal Prime RFQ platform. This visualizes institutional digital asset derivatives execution, leveraging high-fidelity RFQ protocols for optimal capital efficiency and precise price discovery](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocols-prime-os-execution.jpg)

![A polished, teal-hued digital asset derivative disc rests upon a robust, textured market infrastructure base, symbolizing high-fidelity execution and liquidity aggregation. Its reflective surface illustrates real-time price discovery and multi-leg options strategies, central to institutional RFQ protocols and principal trading frameworks](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocols-high-fidelity-institutional-execution.jpg)

## Glossary

<a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/staking-receipt-tokens/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A futuristic, dark grey institutional platform with a glowing spherical core, embodying an intelligence layer for advanced price discovery. This Prime RFQ enables high-fidelity execution through RFQ protocols, optimizing market microstructure for institutional digital asset derivatives and managing liquidity pools](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-prime-os-intelligence-layer.jpg)

## Staking Receipt Tokens

Meaning ▴ Staking Receipt Tokens (SRTs) are liquid digital assets representing staked cryptocurrency, providing a transferable claim on locked capital and accrued rewards in Proof-of-Stake networks. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/decentralized-finance/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![Overlapping dark surfaces represent interconnected RFQ protocols and institutional liquidity pools. A central intelligence layer enables high-fidelity execution and precise price discovery](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-multi-leg-spread-high-fidelity-execution-market-microstructure-prime-os-system.jpg)

## Decentralized Finance

Meaning ▴ Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, refers to an emergent financial ecosystem built upon public blockchain networks, primarily Ethereum, which enables the provision of financial services without reliance on centralized intermediaries. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/liquid-staking/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A robust, dark metallic platform, indicative of an institutional-grade execution management system. Its precise, machined components suggest high-fidelity execution for digital asset derivatives via RFQ protocols](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-platform-high-fidelity-price-discovery-and-atomic-settlement-infrastructure.jpg)

## Liquid Staking

Meaning ▴ Liquid Staking defines a mechanism allowing participants to stake their digital assets on a Proof-of-Stake blockchain while simultaneously retaining access to a liquid representation of their staked capital, typically through a derivative token. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/ethereum-etfs/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A spherical control node atop a perforated disc with a teal ring. This Prime RFQ component ensures high-fidelity execution for institutional digital asset derivatives, optimizing RFQ protocol for liquidity aggregation, algorithmic trading, and robust risk management with capital efficiency](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-powered-high-fidelity-digital-asset-derivatives-execution.jpg)

## Ethereum Etfs

Meaning ▴ Ethereum Exchange Traded Funds, or Ethereum ETFs, represent regulated investment vehicles designed to provide institutional and retail investors with exposure to the price movements of Ether, the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, without requiring direct ownership or management of the underlying digital asset. </a>

**Tags:** [Ethereum ETFs](https://options.greeks.live/area/ethereum-etfs/), [Project Crypto](https://options.greeks.live/area/project-crypto/), [Regulatory Clarity](https://options.greeks.live/area/regulatory-clarity/), [Decentralized Finance](https://options.greeks.live/area/decentralized-finance/), [Securities Law](https://options.greeks.live/area/securities-law/), [Liquid Staking](https://options.greeks.live/area/liquid-staking/)	

## Discover More

- 
### [How Do Regulatory Differences between Crypto and Equity Markets Impact SOR Development?](https://options.greeks.live/question/how-do-regulatory-differences-between-crypto-and-equity-markets-impact-sor-development/)
![Close-up reveals robust metallic components of an institutional-grade execution management system. Precision-engineered surfaces and central pivot signify high-fidelity execution for digital asset derivatives. This represents the market microstructure supporting RFQ protocols, ensuring best execution and capital efficiency.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-grade-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-precision-optimizing-market-microstructure-for-best-execution-and-prime-os.jpg)

Regulatory divergence transforms SOR development from optimizing on a trusted grid to building a trusted network from untrusted parts.

- 
### [Ethereum Surges past $4000 Following Key Regulatory Clarity](https://options.greeks.live/news/ethereum-surges-past-4000-following-key-regulatory-clarity/)
![A sleek, institutional grade sphere features a luminous circular display showcasing a stylized Earth, symbolizing global liquidity aggregation. This advanced Prime RFQ interface enables real-time market microstructure analysis and high-fidelity execution for digital asset derivatives. It represents dynamic price discovery via sophisticated RFQ protocols, optimizing capital efficiency.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-grade-digital-asset-derivatives-trading-platform-displaying-global-liquidity-aggregation-and-real-time-price-discovery-for-rfq-protocols.jpg)

This development signals a structural shift in institutional digital asset strategies, enhancing capital efficiency within decentralized finance protocols.

- 
### [Trump Pardons Binance Founder CZ, Bitcoin Surges past $111k](https://options.greeks.live/news/trump-pardons-binance-founder-cz-bitcoin-surges-past-111k/)
![Central institutional Prime RFQ, a segmented sphere, anchors digital asset derivatives liquidity. Intersecting beams signify high-fidelity RFQ protocols for multi-leg spread execution, price discovery, and counterparty risk mitigation. A smaller sphere denotes dark pool dynamics.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-cross-asset-rfq-execution-hub.jpg)

The executive pardon of Binance's founder signals evolving regulatory postures, potentially de-risking institutional engagement within digital asset markets.

- 
### [SEC Eases Staking Rules, Ethereum ETF Sees Major Outflow, Trump Acts](https://options.greeks.live/news/sec-eases-staking-rules-ethereum-etf-sees-major-outflow-trump-acts/)
![A spherical control node atop a perforated disc with a teal ring. This Prime RFQ component ensures high-fidelity execution for institutional digital asset derivatives, optimizing RFQ protocol for liquidity aggregation, algorithmic trading, and robust risk management with capital efficiency.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-powered-high-fidelity-digital-asset-derivatives-execution.jpg)

Systemic shifts in crypto regulation and capital flows necessitate a recalibrated operational framework for institutional digital asset engagement.

- 
### [The Definitive Guide to Yield-Bearing Crypto Entry Points](https://options.greeks.live/guide/the-definitive-guide-to-yield-bearing-crypto-entry-points/)
![A sleek, cream-colored, dome-shaped object with a dark, central, blue-illuminated aperture, resting on a reflective surface against a black background. This represents a cutting-edge Crypto Derivatives OS, facilitating high-fidelity execution for institutional digital asset derivatives. Its central aperture symbolizes intelligent price discovery and real-time market microstructure analysis, crucial for optimal RFQ protocol management and multi-leg spread strategies, embodying prime brokerage capabilities.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-prime-os-high-fidelity-rfq-execution-engine-intelligence-layer.jpg)

Unlock the power of productive digital assets and transform your portfolio with advanced yield-generating strategies.

- 
### [Nomura’s Laser Digital Launches Regulated Crypto Options in Dubai](https://options.greeks.live/news/nomuras-laser-digital-launches-regulated-crypto-options-in-dubai/)
![An abstract visualization of a sophisticated institutional digital asset derivatives trading system. Intersecting transparent layers depict dynamic market microstructure, high-fidelity execution pathways, and liquidity aggregation for RFQ protocols. This represents a Principal's operational framework, ensuring atomic settlement and optimized capital efficiency within complex order book dynamics, powered by an intelligence layer.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution.jpg)

This strategic launch establishes a robust, regulated framework for institutional crypto derivatives, enhancing market structure and capital efficiency.

- 
### [Crypto Market Dips amid ETF Outflows and Regulatory Concerns](https://options.greeks.live/news/crypto-market-dips-amid-etf-outflows-and-regulatory-concerns/)
![Depicting a robust Principal's operational framework dark surface integrated with a RFQ protocol module blue cylinder. Droplets signify high-fidelity execution and granular market microstructure. A floating bubble embodies a precisely executed block trade or private quotation, leveraging dark pool liquidity for institutional digital asset derivatives with atomic settlement.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/system-specialists-prime-os-intelligence-layer-rfq-protocols-digital-asset.jpg)

This analysis dissects the systemic implications of recent crypto market contractions, offering insights into capital flow dynamics and regulatory friction.

- 
### [Ripple SEC Battle Ends, Block Bitcoin Hits Billion, Trump Boosts Crypto](https://options.greeks.live/news/ripple-sec-battle-ends-block-bitcoin-hits-billion-trump-boosts-crypto/)
![A multi-segmented sphere symbolizes institutional digital asset derivatives. One quadrant shows a dynamic implied volatility surface. Others represent RFQ protocols, principal capital, and aggregated liquidity pools for high-fidelity execution of Bitcoin options.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-liquidity-management.jpg)

The digital asset ecosystem experiences a systemic re-calibration driven by regulatory clarity, institutional capital integration, and protocol-level vulnerabilities.

- 
### [Selig Appointed CFTC Chair Signaling Evolving Crypto Regulatory Oversight](https://options.greeks.live/news/selig-appointed-cftc-chair-signaling-evolving-crypto-regulatory-oversight/)
![A blue speckled marble, symbolizing a precise block trade, rests centrally on a translucent bar, representing a robust RFQ protocol. This structured geometric arrangement illustrates complex market microstructure, enabling high-fidelity execution, optimal price discovery, and efficient liquidity aggregation within a principal's operational framework for institutional digital asset derivatives.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/precision-institutional-rfq-execution-framework-optimizing-digital-asset-derivatives-liquidity-aggregation-across-complex-market-microstructure.jpg)

This appointment to a critical regulatory body establishes a new vector for systemic clarity within the digital asset derivatives landscape, fostering structured market evolution.

---

## Raw Schema Data

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement": [
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 1,
            "name": "Home",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 2,
            "name": "News",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live/news/"
        },
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 3,
            "name": "SEC Guidance Exempts Liquid Staking from Securities Regulation",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live/news/sec-guidance-exempts-liquid-staking-from-securities-regulation/"
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Organization",
    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization",
    "name": "Greeks.Live",
    "url": "https://greeks.live/",
    "description": "Greeks.live is the definitive toolkit for the professional options trader, dedicated to empowering our users with institutional-grade data, advanced analytics, and a comprehensive suite of trading tools designed to provide a decisive edge in the market. Every article and guide published under the Greeks.live name is a product of our deep commitment to data-driven analysis and our mission to support the global trading community.",
    "email": "support@greeks.live",
    "logo": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Greeks.Live-Logo-Icon.svg"
    },
    "hasPart": [
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "About Us",
            "url": "https://about.greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "App Download Page",
            "url": "https://about.greeks.live/#/download/basic_trade"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Newcomers' Guide",
            "url": "https://twisty-sign-c8b.notion.site/Guide-for-Greeks-live-X-Deribit-Newbies-5a08a3052822427d800af6eaf3704c8d"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Knowledge Base",
            "url": "https://linktr.ee/greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Option Terminology",
            "url": "https://greekslive.notion.site/88dfc00e7c584d4d8969b6302a79a12f?pvs=4"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Terms of Service",
            "url": "https://greeks.live/#/tos"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Disclaimer",
            "url": "https://greeks.live/#/disclaimer"
        }
    ],
    "sameAs": [
        "https://x.com/greekslive",
        "https://youtube.com/@greeks_live?si=-KjT0Lkw4WUCI0tD",
        "https://t.me/greekslive_notifications",
        "https://t.me/greekslive",
        "https://pinterest.com/greekslive/"
    ],
    "makesOffer": [
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "RFQ Platform",
                "url": "https://rfq.greeks.live",
                "description": "Execute institutional-grade block trades for crypto options and futures. This platform provides deep, over-the-counter (OTC) liquidity via a professional Request for Quote system.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Lending Tools",
                "url": "https://lend.greeks.live",
                "description": "Manage crypto lending and borrowing activities to earn yield or secure loans. This suite of tools helps users analyze interest rates and manage collateralized debt positions.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Data Lab",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/datalab/BTC",
                "description": "Analyze historical and real-time options data with advanced metrics. This tool is designed for backtesting strategies and identifying market trends through comprehensive data visualization.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Profit & Loss Analysis (PnL)",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/pnl_analysis",
                "description": "Track and analyze the Profit and Loss (PnL) of your options portfolio. This tool provides detailed performance metrics to help traders evaluate and refine their strategies.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Position Visualization",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/pv/BTC",
                "description": "Visualize complex options positions and their corresponding risk profiles. This tool generates payoff diagrams to help traders intuitively understand potential profit, loss, and exposure.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Options Calculator",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/calculator",
                "description": "Calculate the theoretical price and risk parameters ('the Greeks') of crypto options. An essential tool for pricing new trades and analyzing the sensitivity of existing positions.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live Main Platform",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/",
                "description": "The central hub for the Greeks.live suite of professional cryptocurrency options and derivatives trading tools. Access analytics, manage positions, and explore the ecosystem.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Community Forum",
                "url": "https://t.greeks.live",
                "description": "Join the official Greeks.live community. Connect with other traders, share insights, and receive the latest updates directly from the team.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live for Deribit",
                "url": "http://deribit.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated interface for trading on the Deribit exchange. This platform leverages Greeks.live's advanced analytics and tools specifically for users of Deribit's options and futures markets.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live for OKX",
                "url": "http://okx.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated interface for trading on the OKX exchange. This platform integrates Greeks.live's powerful analytics with the OKX marketplace, focusing on its options and derivatives products.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "GLVS.AI Trading Platform",
                "url": "https://www.glvs.ai/",
                "description": "An AI-powered platform for automated crypto options trading. Leverage advanced algorithms and data-driven signals to develop and deploy sophisticated, hands-free trading strategies.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "API Testnet & Sandbox",
                "url": "https://test.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated testnet environment for developers to test their API integrations and automated trading strategies. This sandbox allows for full functionality testing without risking real funds.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        }
    ],
    "subOrganization": [
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "name": "GreeksLive HK Co., Limited",
            "email": "support@greeks.live",
            "telephone": "+852-56418949",
            "address": {
                "@type": "PostalAddress",
                "streetAddress": "Unit 11, 27/F, K. Wah Centre, 191 Java Road",
                "addressLocality": "Hong Kong",
                "addressRegion": "North Point",
                "addressCountry": "CN",
                "postalCode": "0000"
            },
            "geo": {
                "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
                "latitude": "22.2932357",
                "longitude": "114.2022026"
            },
            "image": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Wah-Centre-Hong-Kong.jpg"
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Article",
    "mainEntityOfPage": {
        "@type": "WebPage",
        "@id": "https://options.greeks.live/news/sec-guidance-exempts-liquid-staking-from-securities-regulation/"
    },
    "headline": "SEC Guidance Exempts Liquid Staking from Securities Regulation \u25b4 News",
    "description": "This regulatory clarity redefines the operational parameters for digital asset protocols, fostering an environment conducive to institutional engagement and strategic capital deployment. \u25b4 News",
    "url": "https://options.greeks.live/news/sec-guidance-exempts-liquid-staking-from-securities-regulation/",
    "datePublished": "2025-08-06T06:17:11+00:00",
    "dateModified": "2025-08-06T06:17:11+00:00",
    "articleSection": [
        "News"
    ],
    "author": {
        "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
    },
    "publisher": {
        "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
    },
    "image": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-rfq-protocols-for-digital-asset-derivatives-execution.jpg",
        "caption": "Abstract bisected spheres, reflective grey and textured teal, forming an infinity, embody institutional digital asset derivatives trading. This depicts a Principal's operational framework, where transparent market microstructure grey meets deep liquidity pools and complex volatility surface data teal. It visualizes optimized RFQ protocols for high-fidelity execution of multi-leg spreads and options trading. The interconnected form ensures atomic settlement, best execution, and efficient capital deployment within a cutting-edge Prime RFQ, mitigating counterparty risk and information leakage."
    },
    "keywords": [
        "Decentralized Finance",
        "Ethereum ETFs",
        "Howey Test",
        "Liquid Staking",
        "Market Structure",
        "Project Crypto",
        "Regulatory Clarity",
        "Securities Law",
        "Staking Receipt Tokens",
        "Unbonding Periods"
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "WebSite",
    "url": "https://options.greeks.live/",
    "potentialAction": {
        "@type": "SearchAction",
        "target": "https://options.greeks.live/?s=search_term_string",
        "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
    }
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://options.greeks.live/news/sec-guidance-exempts-liquid-staking-from-securities-regulation/
