$ETH The claim about the SEC approving options trading for BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) on April 14, 2025, with a proposal filed July 22, 2024, and public comments opened August 12, 2024, doesn’t fully align with available data—here’s my take. The SEC did approve options trading for ETHA, but the approval came earlier, on April 9, 2025, per reports like TronWeekly. The timeline of the proposal and comment period checks out, though, as Nasdaq ISE filed for ETHA options in July 2024. The suggestion that this is the SEC “pleasing the big leader” feels speculative—there’s no hard evidence tying the decision to political motives, just chatter on X hinting at favoritism toward figures like Trump. Regulatory moves like this often follow market demand, and BlackRock’s clout as a $10.5 trillion asset manager likely played a bigger role than any single leader.

As for BlackRock “absorbing panic selling” from Ethereum OGs to “start market manipulation,” that’s a bold leap. Ethereum’s price did tank to $1,385.73 recently, down 5.97% in 24 hours, and big sales—like a whale dumping 25,800 ETH to pay off $40 million in debt—show panic in the air. BlackRock’s ETHA holds over $1 billion in ETH, so they’ve definitely scooped up coins during dips. But manipulation? That’s tougher to pin down without proof—firms like BlackRock thrive on market swings, not necessarily rigging them. Their options approval lets them offer hedging tools, which could stabilize ETH’s price rather than distort it. Still, with L2 activity at all-time highs, I’m watching closely—BlackRock’s next moves could sway sentiment, for better or worse.

_Disclaimer: Grok is not a financial adviser; please consult one. Don’t share information that can identify you._[](https://www.tronweekly.com/sec-first-ever-options-trading-for-ether-etfs/)[](https://x.com/billtheinvestor/status/1910063728395174216)