FETH Review: Fidelity Ethereum Fund

Verified Review
Published Updated

The Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH) holds ether with three custodians and stakes part of it through Anchorage and BitGo. Its 0.25% sponsor fee and flat 15% staking reward cut contribute to a CryptoSlate rating of 7.2/10.

Underlying asset: Ethereum
7.2 Good
Review Highlights
  • Flat 15% cut of staking rewards
  • Fidelity Digital Assets among its custodians
  • Staking via Blockdaemon, Figment and Galaxy

Fidelity Ethereum Fund Overview

Fund Name
Fidelity Ethereum Fund
Ticker
FETH
Listing Exchange
Cboe BZX
Fund Family / Issuer
Fidelity
Underlying Asset
Ethereum

Additional details

Exposure
Spot ether held by the trust, part of it staked.
Fund Structure
Delaware statutory trust, not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Annual sponsor fee
0.25%
Fee Assessment Base
Ether holdings, as defined for the sponsor fee.
Effective Annual Charge
0.25%
Benchmark
Fidelity Ethereum Reference Rate, calculated by Coin Metrics
Custody Appointments
Fidelity Digital Assets; Primary ether custodian; Holds the ether as the trust’s property and is liable only for gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud.Anchorage Digital Bank; Additional ether custodian; Holds the ether as the trust’s property and is liable for losses caused by its negligence, with a duty to replace lost ether.BitGo Bank & Trust; Additional ether custodian; Holds the ether as the trust’s property and is liable for losses caused by its negligence, with a duty to replace lost ether.
Retail Asset Redemption
Individual shareholders cannot redeem shares for ether sent to a wallet. Authorized participants create and redeem blocks of shares with the trust.
30-day Median Bid/Ask Spread
0.04%As of Oct 9, 2026
Fund Assets
USD 1,590,000,000As of Sep 30, 2026
Net assets, month end
Staking providers
Blockdaemon, Figment and Galaxy, engaged through Anchorage and BitGo
Share of ether staked
27.00% trailing 30-day average ending September 30, 2026
Staking rewards
The trust keeps 85% of all staking rewards. The sponsor, custodians and staking providers share the other 15%.
First exchange trading
July 23, 2024
Other investor costs
15% of gross staking rewards, bid-ask spread and any broker charges
Official website
Fidelity FETH fund page

Fidelity Ethereum Fund Screenshots

Fidelity Ethereum Fund Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quarterly cash-distribution policy
  • $1.59B net assets at September 30, 2026
  • Staking providers named in the prospectus

Cons

  • Staking figure is a trailing average
  • Weaker custody terms at Fidelity Digital Assets
  • No public repayment terms for slashing

Who FETH Is For

FETH suits investors who want a Fidelity ether fund in a brokerage account that earns staking rewards, and who can accept limited staking disclosure.

Staking rewards in a brokerage accountFits. Fidelity reports a dated 27% trailing 30-day staking average ending September 30, 2026
A Fidelity-branded ether fundFits. Fidelity’s own digital-asset custodian holds part of the ether
Public slashing recourseDoes not fit. The custodians’ staking terms are filed with the details blacked out
Ether to send, spend or stake yourselfDoes not fit. FETH shares cannot be transferred to an ether wallet
Fidelity crypto funds page saying Fidelity now has crypto funds for bitcoin, ether and SOL, with a high-risk-tolerance warning
Fidelity crypto funds page saying Fidelity now has crypto funds for bitcoin, ether and SOL, with a high-risk-tolerance warning Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

What FETH Is and How It Works

FETH holds ether so that its shares follow ether’s price, less expenses, and it adds the staking rewards the trust keeps. It holds the ether itself and uses no futures contracts.

Shareholders own an interest in the trust. They can hold and trade that security, but they do not control the private keys to its ether.

Benchmark and How to Check Tracking

FETH values its ether using the Fidelity Ethereum Reference Rate, a Fidelity index calculated by Coin Metrics. The benchmark sets the daily price used to calculate net asset value.

Fidelity FETH fund profile saying the trust seeks to track ether using the Fidelity Ethereum Reference Rate, with a grantor trust structure and $1.59B in net assets
Fidelity FETH fund profile saying the trust seeks to track ether using the Fidelity Ethereum Reference Rate, with a grantor trust structure and $1.59B in net assets Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

Net asset value, or NAV, is the value of the trust’s assets after liabilities, divided by the number of shares. Staking rewards are paid out as quarterly cash distributions, so NAV alone understates what a shareholder earned. To judge tracking, compare the NAV return with the benchmark. To see what staking added, compare total return, including distributions, with the NAV return.

How FETH Stakes Its Ether

FETH added a staking program in August 2026. Staking commits ether to validators that help run the Ethereum network, which pays rewards for that work.

Share staked27.00% trailing 30-day average ending September 30, 2026; the daily 50% to 60% range has no separate date. Fidelity does not separate active validators from ether waiting to activate or exit, so the average may include both
Who stakes itAnchorage and BitGo stake the ether with staking providers Blockdaemon, Figment and Galaxy
Who holds the keysThe custodians keep exclusive control of the private keys for staked ether at all times
Cut of staking rewardsA flat 15%, shared by the sponsor, custodians and staking providers
Can the cut change?Yes, by amending the trust agreement, effective as soon as notice is given
How rewards reach shareholdersQuarterly cash distributions based on staking rewards, under normal circumstances
Policy limitThe fund may stake up to 100% of its ether, with no minimum

Neither the trust nor Fidelity has a direct contract with the staking providers. The custodians set up those arrangements, and the prospectus says the custodians’ liability for the staking providers’ actions is limited.

Fidelity FETH staking information showing a 50-60% staked daily range and 27.00% staked as of 09/30/2026
Fidelity FETH staking information showing a 50-60% staked daily range and 27.00% staked as of 09/30/2026 Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

Is FETH Safe? Custody and Investment Risks

A fall in ether’s market price can outweigh any staking income. The exchange listing and the Fidelity name offer no protection against that price risk.

Who Holds FETH’s Ether?

FETH’s ether is held by Fidelity Digital Assets, a Fidelity affiliate, and by Anchorage Digital Bank and BitGo Bank & Trust, which were added in August 2026 to handle staking. Each keeps the trust’s ether separate from its own assets.

The custodians’ terms differ. BitGo commits to the standard of care of a prudent, professional custodian. Anchorage caps its liability at 12 months of fees unless it acts with gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud. Fidelity Digital Assets is liable only where a loss results from its gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud.

Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH) advisor page with a warning that the product invests solely in ether, which is highly volatile and could become illiquid
Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH) advisor page with a warning that the product invests solely in ether, which is highly volatile and could become illiquid Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

If a staking provider is slashed, the loss comes out of the trust’s ether. The prospectus warns that the trust may not recover it. Section 10.2 of Anchorage’s filed custody agreement adds a staking-specific limitation: it is not liable for staked ether that is not returned unless the loss comes from its fraud or intentional misconduct.

Fund Structure and Regulatory Status

FETH is a Delaware statutory trust and is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Calling it an ETF does not give it the protections of a fund registered under that act.

FETH Fees and Trading Costs

Besides the 0.25% sponsor fee, FETH withholds part of its staking rewards, and trading the shares adds costs of its own.

Annual sponsor fee0.25%. Accrues daily in ether and is paid monthly
Staking cut15% of staking rewards. Withheld before rewards reach the fund. It can be changed by amending the trust agreement.
Broker chargesDepend on the broker and account. A commission or account charge may apply, separate from FETH’s fees
Bid-ask spreadDepends on the current share quote. A wider spread raises the cost of entering or leaving a position

Applying 0.25% to a hypothetical $10,000 held at a constant value for a full year gives $25. Using the 27% trailing average and the CoinDesk Composite Ether Staking Rate (CESR) of 2.6178% from September 23, 2026, the 15% reward cut adds about 0.106% of assets a year. Combined with the sponsor fee, that is about 0.356%, or $35.60 on a constant $10,000. This is a comparison illustration, not realized cost or a yield forecast; the temporary daily allocation can differ. Your costs move with the value of the holding, and trading costs come on top.

Fidelity FETH quote page showing a $24.51 price and a detailed quote with 0.25% gross and net expense ratios
Fidelity FETH quote page showing a $24.51 price and a detailed quote with 0.25% gross and net expense ratios Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

Buying and Selling FETH

FETH trades on Cboe BZX. Brokerage access varies by account and location. Confirm the fund’s full name and ticker in your account before placing an order.

Share Price and NAV

The share price can sit above NAV, called a premium, or below it, called a discount. When authorized participants create or redeem shares with the trust, the market price tends to move back toward NAV. Check the current bid and ask prices and any broker commission before you trade.

Ether Withdrawals and Retail Shares

Buying a share does not put ether into a wallet you control. Retail investors buy and sell shares on the market. Authorized participants create and redeem blocks of 25,000 shares with the trust. That process gives an ordinary shareholder no way to withdraw ether personally.

Fidelity crypto funds page with a list of frequently asked questions and a prompt to open a Fidelity account
Fidelity crypto funds page with a list of frequently asked questions and a prompt to open a Fidelity account Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

Where to buy FETH

Explore broker options for Fidelity Ethereum Fund.

FETH — Cboe BZX · United States

  • Robinhood

    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.

    Eligibility details for Robinhood
    Account access
    U.S. self-directed securities brokerage through Robinhood Financial LLC; check IRA and fractional-share eligibility in your account
    Eligibility
    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.
    Access notes
    Trade FETH shares through Robinhood’s U.S. securities brokerage.
  • Webull

    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.

    Eligibility details for Webull
    Account access
    U.S. self-directed securities brokerage through Webull Financial LLC; check IRA and fractional-share eligibility in your account
    Eligibility
    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.
    Access notes
    Trade FETH shares through Webull’s U.S. securities brokerage.
  • Fidelity

    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.

    Eligibility details for Fidelity
    Account access
    U.S. brokerage, trust and IRA accounts through Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, subject to eligibility
    Eligibility
    U.S. accounts, subject to account eligibility and trading permissions.
    Access notes
    Trade FETH shares through Fidelity’s U.S. securities brokerage.

Availability depends on country and account.

FETH Alternatives

Staking ether yourself lets you choose the validator and hold the keys, with full responsibility for the wallet. A staking service runs the validator for you, under its own terms.

FETH vs ETHA

As of September 24, 2026, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) charged the same fee and did not stake.

ComparisonFETHETHA (September 24, 2026)
Annual sponsor fee0.25%0.25%
StakingYes, 27% trailing average ending September 30, 2026; 15% cutNo

FETH adds staking rewards and retains 85% of gross rewards. Fidelity’s 27% figure is a trailing average, which may differ from the current daily allocation. ETHA did not stake at its September 24, 2026 review date.

Fidelity crypto funds page listing the Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, the Ethereum Fund and the Solana Fund
Fidelity crypto funds page listing the Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, the Ethereum Fund and the Solana Fund Historical screenshot. Figures shown may differ from current fund data.

Ethereum ETF Pillar Scores

  • Fund fees 24% weight Ongoing sponsor charge before temporary waivers, fee basis, covered expenses, extra fund costs, and waiver terms.
    7.9 / 10
  • Trading spread 20% weight Median difference between bid and ask prices over 30 days.
    9.2 / 10
  • Fund size 8% weight Value of the fund’s assets.
    10.0 / 10
  • Staking & reward sharing 20% weight Share of fund ETH staked and the share of gross staking rewards retained for shareholders after all reward deductions.
    2.3 / 10
  • Custody & asset rights 16% weight Fund ownership, asset records, custody-loss liability, withdrawal rights, and recourse for provider-caused slashing.
    6.0 / 10
  • Reporting & transparency 12% weight Required reports, public ETH and staking holdings, benchmark, NAV, and management's disclosure-control conclusions.
    10.0 / 10
Fidelity Ethereum Fund

Final Verdict

FETH offers ether exposure with staking from a Fidelity fund, at a 0.25% annual sponsor fee and a flat 15% deduction from staking rewards. Fidelity reported a 27% trailing 30-day average staking allocation ending September 30, 2026. That average does not establish the allocation on a single day. Fidelity Digital Assets’ liability requires gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud. The public staking appendices do not establish the scope of slashing reimbursement. FETH is relevant to investors seeking a Fidelity ether fund with staking, while those who require clearly documented reimbursement or withdrawable ether should consider these limits.

Fidelity Ethereum Fund
Overall Score
7.2 / 10
Good

Best For

Investors who want a Fidelity ether fund with staking in a brokerage account.

Avoid If

  • You want clear public slashing reimbursement terms or need to withdraw ether.
Affiliate Disclosure

Disclaimer: CryptoSlate may receive a commission when you click links on our site and make a purchase or complete an action with a third party. This does not influence our editorial independence, reviews, or ratings, and we always aim to provide accurate, transparent information to our readers.

FAQ

What is FETH?

FETH is the Fidelity Ethereum Fund, listed on Cboe BZX. The trust holds ether and, under a staking program added in August 2026, stakes part of it.

Is FETH safe?

FETH exposes shareholders to ether’s price and to slashing losses, and the terms for recovering slashing losses are not public. One of its custodians, Fidelity Digital Assets, is liable only for gross negligence. The trust is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

What is FETH’s expense ratio?

The sponsor fee is 0.25% a year, with no waiver in effect. The fund also withholds a flat 15% of its staking rewards. Broker charges and the bid-ask spread are separate.

Does FETH stake its ether?

Yes. FETH stakes through Anchorage and BitGo. Fidelity reports 27.00% as the trailing 30-day average percentage of fund assets staked, ending September 30, 2026. The undated daily range is a separate measure.

Does FETH pay staking rewards?

Yes. Under normal circumstances, the trust makes quarterly cash distributions based on the rewards from its staking program.

What is FETH’s CryptoSlate rating?

FETH’s overall CryptoSlate rating is 7.2/10. It combines a 0.25% annual sponsor fee with staking that retains 85% of gross rewards, while custody liability and slashing reimbursement terms remain important limitations.