Bitwise Asset Management just submitted a record 11 crypto ETF filings in a single day, targeting key altcoins and blockchain protocols.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Bitwise filed 11 new crypto strategy ETF applications with the SEC on December 30, 2025.
- The funds target individual altcoins including AAVE, UNI, TRX, ZEC, NEAR, and others.
- Each ETF uses a hybrid strategy of direct token holdings and European ETPs.
- Launches expected by March 2026 pending SEC approval, signaling growing institutional interest.
What Happened?
Bitwise Asset Management has made one of the largest single-day ETF pushes in crypto history by filing for 11 new altcoin-focused ETFs with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filings, submitted on December 30, 2025, come just months after the SEC approved broader listing standards for crypto ETFs in October.
💥BREAKING:
— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) December 31, 2025
BitWise files for 11 Altcoin ETFs. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/AaLrmcwozF
Bitwise’s Ambitious Move Into Altcoin ETFs
Bitwise’s latest filings represent a massive expansion into non-Bitcoin, non-Ethereum digital assets. These “strategy ETFs” are each tied to a specific blockchain protocol or token and are designed to provide investors with targeted exposure to growing sectors of the crypto economy.
The 11 tokens included in this wave of ETFs are:
- AAVE (decentralized lending)
- UNI (Uniswap’s DEX and Unichain Layer 2)
- NEAR (sharded smart contract platform)
- SUI (Move-based blockchain by Mysten Labs)
- STRK (Starknet’s ZK-STARK layer 2 scaling)
- ZEC (Zcash privacy-focused blockchain)
- TAO (Bittensor’s AI marketplace)
- ENA (Ethena’s synthetic dollar protocol)
- CC (Canton Network)
- HYPE (Hyperliquid DEX)
- TRX (Tron blockchain)
Each ETF aims to invest up to 60% directly into its underlying token, sourced through crypto exchanges or over-the-counter desks. The remaining 40% is allocated to European-listed ETPs, fully collateralized debt securities tracking the token’s performance. Additionally, ETFs may invest in futures, swaps, and other derivatives to achieve the desired exposure.
Regulatory Tailwinds Drive Fast-Track Strategy
This aggressive filing strategy follows a key regulatory shift in October 2025 when the SEC introduced generic listing standards for crypto ETFs. This removed the requirement for individual approvals and sped up the launch process. Bitwise’s ETFs, if cleared, are expected to go live around March 16, 2026, just 75 days post-filing.
Bitwise’s ability to file so many ETFs at once underscores the firm’s confidence in regulatory clarity and the expanding appetite for diversified crypto investment products.
Proven Structure with New Targets
The structure of these new ETFs mirrors the successful spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, but is tailored for altcoins that have yet to receive direct spot trading approval in the US. Under normal market conditions, each fund will keep at least 80% exposure to the applicable token, its derivatives, or tracking ETPs.
Each ETF is also permitted to allocate up to 25% in Cayman Islands subsidiaries, a move designed for tax efficiency and greater access to derivative instruments.
The ETFs will be listed on NYSE Arca, with ticker symbols and fee structures still to be announced.
Portfolio management will be overseen by Jennifer Thornton, Daniela Padilla, and Gayatri Choudhury. Traditional securities will be administered by BNY Mellon, while Coinbase Custody Trust and BitGo Europe GmbH will handle crypto asset custody.
A Growing ETF Track Record
Bitwise has been aggressively expanding its ETF lineup over the past year. It became the first U.S. issuer to launch a spot Solana ETF in July 2025, followed by ETFs for XRP and Dogecoin.
More recently, Bitwise filed an S-1 registration for a SUI ETF and amended documents for a Hyperliquid fund. The company’s momentum builds on a foundation laid with its conversion of the Bitwise Crypto Index Fund (BIT) earlier this year and quick turnarounds on BTC and ETH ETFs.
SQ Magazine’s Takeaway
I think this is a major milestone for crypto ETFs and a clear signal that altcoins are stepping into the spotlight. Bitwise is playing it smart by jumping on the SEC’s relaxed rules and targeting key crypto sectors like DeFi, AI, privacy, and Layer 2s. As an investor or someone curious about crypto, this gives you a broader menu of regulated ways to get in without touching a crypto wallet. March 2026 could be a big moment if these funds go live on schedule.
