VanEck Names Figment Staking Validator in Amended BitGo Custody Schedule for BNB ETF
VanEck's 8-K names Figment as validator for its BNB ETF's staking and sets a 4% validator fee, while BitGo stays custodian.
Why it matters
The amendment gives the VanEck BNB ETF a named validator and fee for staking the BNB it holds, which had been removed before launch over questions about whether staking rewards could affect the trust's status. BitGo's structure plus a separate staking provider separates custody from validation, and whether regulators accept the arrangement is not covered by either report.
Where the sources disagree
Whether the custody counterparty is described as a single custodian or as one of two custodians
Amendment to the existing custody agreement; only Schedule A amended and restated
Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
A second custody agreement with BitGo Bank & Trust
CoinGape
Crypto News described BitGo as the fund's custodian and BitGo Bank & Trust, N.A. as holding the fund's assets, while CoinGape described BitGo as the trust's second custodian alongside Anchorage Digital Bank.
Key facts
VanEck Digital Assets filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on September 29, 2026 at 4:50 p.m. ET disclosing an amended custody agreement for the VanEck $BNB ETF (VBNB).
Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
Only Schedule A to the Second Custody Agreement was amended and restated, and the remaining terms between VanEck Digital Assets and BitGo were unchanged.
Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
The amendment identifies Figment as the validator for the trust's $BNB staking activities.
Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
The amendment sets a 4% staking assets validator fee.
4 %Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
BitGo Bank & Trust continues to serve as the fund's custodian.
Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
VanEck added staking as a secondary objective to its spot BNB ETF, revising the investment objectives.
Reported by CoinGape
VBNB launched on Nasdaq in May 2026 as the first U.S. spot BNB fund and holds BNB with Anchorage Digital Bank and BitGo.
Reported by CoinGape
The ETF charges a 0.39% sponsor fee and creates and redeems shares in cash or in kind in baskets of 10,000.
0.39 %Reported by CoinGape
What happened
VanEck Digital Assets, sponsor of the VanEck $BNB ETF (VBNB), filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on September 29, 2026 at 4:50 p.m. ET reporting an amendment to the fund's custody agreement with BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association. Crypto News reported that only Schedule A to the Second Custody Agreement was amended and restated, naming Figment as the validator for the trust's $BNB staking activities and setting a 4% staking assets validator fee; the rest of the agreement between VanEck Digital Assets and BitGo was unchanged. CoinGape described the same filing as a second custody agreement with BitGo and said VanEck added staking as a secondary objective to the spot BNB ETF, revising its investment objectives. BitGo continues as custodian, and CoinGape described the Figment appointment as supplying the validator and fee terms needed to run staking through BitGo, which it calls the trust's second custodian. CoinGape also reported that VBNB launched on Nasdaq in May 2026 as the first U.S. spot BNB fund, holds BNB with Anchorage Digital Bank and BitGo, charges a 0.39% sponsor fee and creates and redeems shares in cash or in kind in baskets of 10,000. Staking was cut from the proposal before launch over regulatory questions about whether staking rewards could affect the trust's status, so the sources do not say whether the trust has begun staking or what the outcome of those questions was. CoinGape also cited Binance Coin trading around $775, up more than 15% in a month.
How the story developed
- Official statement
VanEck files 8-K naming Figment as BNB staking validator
The filing discloses the amended custody schedule, the 4% staking assets validator fee and, per CoinGape, staking as a secondary objective of the fund.
- First report
First report by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
VanEck BNB ETF Amends Custody Agreement, Names Figment as Staking Validator
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by CoinGape
BREAKING: VanEck Makes Major Change to BNB ETF, Will Binance Coin Price Rally?
- Update
VanEck removes staking from the VBNB proposal before launch
Staking was cut from the fund's proposal after regulators raised questions over whether staking rewards could affect the trust's status.
- Update
VanEck BNB ETF launches on Nasdaq
VBNB launched in May 2026 as the first U.S. spot BNB fund.
- Update
CoinGape reports the amendment as a second custody agreement
CoinGape also cited Binance Coin trading around $775, up more than 15% in a month.
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 30 Sept 2026, 18:34 UTC: Crypto News (CryptoNews.net) — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 2 Oct 2026, 10:57 UTC: CoinGape — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Bybit, OKX, Nasdaq
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto News (CryptoNews.net) Aggregator | VanEck BNB ETF Amends Custody Agreement, Names Figment as Staking Validator | Original | |
| CoinGape Crypto media | BREAKING: VanEck Makes Major Change to BNB ETF, Will Binance Coin Price Rally? | Independent |
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