Bitwise Files 11 New Crypto ETF Applications: A Bold Bet on 2026

Bitwise just dropped a bombshell on the SEC's doorstep. The asset manager filed not one, but eleven new applications for spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, signaling an aggressive push to dominate the next wave of institutional crypto adoption.

Why This Filing Frenzy Matters

This isn't a gentle nudge—it's a full-scale assault on regulatory inertia. By flooding the zone with applications, Bitwise is betting that sheer volume and product diversity will force the conversation forward. The move targets a basket of assets beyond the usual Bitcoin and Ethereum suspects, aiming to give traditional finance a one-stop shop for crypto exposure without the headaches of self-custody.

The Strategy Behind the Numbers

Eleven filings represent a calculated risk. It's a costly and resource-intensive process, reserved for firms convinced the regulatory dam is about to break. The playbook is clear: establish first-mover advantage in niche crypto sectors before the big Wall Street banks wake up and decide digital assets are worth their time—after, of course, they've finished collecting fees on your underperforming mutual fund.

What's Next for the Market

Approval for any of these funds would unlock a torrent of fresh capital. It provides a clean, familiar wrapper for pension funds, endowments, and financial advisors who've been circling crypto but needed a compliant on-ramp. The filings themselves act as a market signal, projecting confidence that the regulatory winter is thawing.

Bitwise's mega-filing is a high-stakes poker move. It pressures regulators, challenges competitors, and lays the groundwork for 2026 to be the year crypto ETFs go from novelty to necessity. The only thing more relentless than their application strategy might be the fees they'll eventually charge to manage them.

Bitwise Asset Management filed for 11 new cryptocurrency strategy ETFs with the U.S. SEC on December 30, 2025, targeting altcoins like AAVE, UNI, ZEC, ENA, Hyperliquid, NEAR, STRK, SUI, TAO, TRX, and CC. Each fund allocates 60% to direct crypto holdings and 40% to ETPs or derivatives for liquidity and compliance. If approved, they launch March 16, 2026, building on Bitwise’s XRP and Solana success amid surging institutional demand. This move offers regulated exposure to DeFi, L1s, and niche tokens in a $3T market.