HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong's largest* licensed digital asset trading platform under Hong Kong-listed HashKey Holdings Limited (3887.HK), recently officially launched its ETH Staking service. This allows customers to participate in Ethereum staking through a licensed Hong Kong trading platform for the first time using an independent node staking model and earn corresponding network rewards. The service is open to all customers whose staking amount reaches the minimum threshold for an Ethereum independent node.
As Ethereum transitions to the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism, validator nodes are increasingly becoming a crucial infrastructure for the secure operation of the network. Currently, most investors participate in network validation through self-built nodes or third-party node service providers, while channels for participation through regulated exchanges that directly correspond to independent nodes are relatively limited. Against this backdrop, HashKey Exchange launched its ETH Staking service, not only providing clients with an entry point to participate in Ethereum network validation through a Hong Kong-licensed exchange, but more importantly, marking the first time the independent node model has been introduced to a Hong Kong-licensed exchange scenario. This further enhances asset isolation protection and overall operational risk control for institutional, high-net-worth, and retail clients participating in Ethereum staking.
In terms of service mechanism, HashKey Exchange adopts an independent node model, with a minimum staking threshold of 32 ETH per node. Customers can submit staking applications through the platform's financial management channel. The deployment and operation of independent nodes are handled by the professional node operator HashKey Cloud, while asset custody is supported by HashKey Exchange. Each customer's staked assets correspond to an independent node, and the assets are not mixed with other users' funds.
Most common ETH staking services on the market use a pooled model, where multiple users' assets are pooled to run nodes and the rewards are distributed proportionally. In contrast, with the independent node model, each customer's staked assets correspond to an independent node, and the network rewards generated by the node are directly linked to the customer's staked assets. This significantly improves customer asset protection and service transparency, and also makes the node structure and reward distribution clearer.
Michelle Cheng, Director of HashKey Exchange, stated, "As institutional funds gradually enter the digital asset market, participating in the operation of blockchain networks is becoming a new way for institutions to allocate digital assets. Participating in Ethereum staking through a regulated platform environment helps provide institutions with a clearer path to participation and promotes the development of the digital asset market in a more standardized direction."
About HashKey Exchange
HashKey Exchange is a digital asset exchange under the listed company HashKey Holdings Limited (3887.HK). It is committed to setting new benchmarks for virtual asset exchanges in terms of compliance, fund protection, and platform security. Hash Blockchain Limited (HashKey Exchange) is one of the first licensed retail virtual asset exchanges in Hong Kong. It has obtained approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to hold Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 7 (providing automated trading services), and licenses to operate virtual asset trading platforms under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, ensuring compliant operation of its virtual asset trading platform. HashKey Exchange has obtained ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 27701 (data privacy) management system certifications. To comply with laws and regulations, HashKey Exchange does not provide services to users in Mainland China, the United States, and certain other jurisdictions.
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* As of March 25, 2026, HashKey Exchange was ranked 16th on CoinGecko, making it the highest-ranked licensed virtual asset exchange in Hong Kong.
