Bitwise Files 11 New Crypto ETFs — Are AAVE, UNI, and TRX About to Steal the Spotlight?

Bitwise Files 11 New Crypto ETF Applications With SEC, Targeting Altcoins and a March 2026 Launch

Bitwise Asset Management has taken a major step toward expanding regulated access to altcoins after filing applications for 11 new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filings, submitted on December 30, 2025, signal one of the most aggressive pushes yet by a U.S. asset manager to bring diversified, altcoin-focused investment products to market.

If approved, the proposed ETFs would become effective on March 16, 2026, offering investors regulated exposure to a broad mix of digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to the filings, each fund would allocate 60% of assets to direct cryptocurrency holdings, with the remaining 40% invested in exchange-traded products (ETPs) or derivatives, a structure designed to balance liquidity, market access, and regulatory requirements.

Source: Official

A Strategic Expansion Into Altcoins

The latest move underscores Bitwise’s strategy to position itself as a leading provider of crypto ETFs across a widening spectrum of digital assets. The proposed products span decentralized finance (DeFi), layer-1 blockchains, privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, and emerging narratives such as artificial intelligence-linked tokens.

Source: Eric Balchunas X

Among the assets named in the filings are DeFi tokens AAVE and UNI, layer-1 networks including SUI and NEAR, privacy-focused ZEC, and AI-related TAO, as well as TRX and other niche projects that have drawn growing interest from both retail and institutional investors.

According to the filings reviewed by hokanews, the proposed lineup includes:

Bitwise TAO Strategy ETF
Bitwise TRX Strategy ETF
Bitwise STRK Strategy ETF
Bitwise CC Strategy ETF
Bitwise UNI Strategy ETF
Bitwise AAVE Strategy ETF
Bitwise ZEC Strategy ETF
Bitwise ENA Strategy ETF
Bitwise Hyperliquid Strategy ETF
Bitwise NEAR Strategy ETF
Bitwise SUI Strategy ETF

Together, these filings represent one of the broadest single submissions of altcoin-focused ETFs ever presented to the SEC.

The 60/40 Structure: Balancing Access and Compliance

A notable feature of the proposed funds is their 60/40 investment structure. Under this model, 60% of each ETF’s assets would be held directly in the underlying cryptocurrency, while the remaining 40% would be allocated to existing ETPs or derivatives.

Market analysts say this hybrid approach reflects lessons learned from earlier crypto ETF approvals and rejections. Direct holdings provide closer price tracking and clearer exposure, while derivatives and ETPs can enhance liquidity and help meet regulatory standards related to custody, valuation, and market oversight.

“This structure appears designed to satisfy regulators while still giving investors meaningful exposure to the underlying assets,” said one ETF analyst familiar with digital asset filings. “It’s a pragmatic compromise in a regulatory environment that’s still evolving.”

Regulatory Context and the SEC’s Role

All 11 ETF applications are subject to approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has historically taken a cautious approach to crypto-related investment products. While spot Bitcoin ETFs have gained approval in recent years, and additional crypto ETFs entered the market in 2025, altcoin-focused products remain under closer scrutiny.

Approval by the SEC is not guaranteed, and the review process could involve amendments, delays, or requests for additional disclosures. However, the fact that Bitwise has filed such a broad slate of products suggests growing confidence that regulatory conditions are becoming more favorable for diversified crypto exposure.

Building on Previous ETF Success

The new filings come after Bitwise successfully brought Solana (SOL) and XRP ETFs to market in 2025, a milestone that helped expand institutional access to non-Bitcoin digital assets. Those launches marked a turning point, demonstrating that investor demand exists for regulated exposure beyond the two largest cryptocurrencies.

With the global crypto market valued at over $3 trillion, asset managers are increasingly looking to capture demand for alternative tokens that may offer different risk profiles, use cases, and growth trajectories.

“Bitcoin and Ethereum remain the core of most crypto portfolios, but they’re no longer the whole story,” said a digital assets strategist. “Institutional investors want selective exposure to other networks, and ETFs are the most straightforward way to do that.”

Rising Institutional Demand for Altcoins

Industry surveys conducted by Bitwise indicate that institutional appetite for crypto-linked ETFs is accelerating. The firm estimates that market demand could support the launch of more than 100 new crypto ETF products in 2026, reflecting both diversification needs and growing comfort with regulated digital asset vehicles.

Source: Official

This trend mirrors developments in traditional finance, where ETFs have long been used to gain efficient exposure to emerging sectors, commodities, and thematic investments. In crypto, altcoin ETFs could play a similar role, allowing investors to express views on specific technologies or market narratives without directly managing wallets or private keys.

Market Implications and Investor Interest

From a market perspective, the filing of new ETF applications often generates heightened attention for the underlying assets. Historically, the introduction of exchange-traded funds in various asset classes has been associated with short-term price movements, sometimes ranging between 20% and 40%, although outcomes vary widely depending on market conditions and investor sentiment.

Analysts caution that ETF filings alone do not guarantee price appreciation. Approval timelines, regulatory decisions, and broader macroeconomic factors all play a role. Still, the prospect of regulated access can influence market expectations, particularly for tokens that have previously been difficult for traditional investors to access.

For retail investors, the proposed Bitwise ETFs could offer a more controlled way to gain exposure to volatile altcoins. For institutions, the products may provide a compliance-friendly channel to diversify crypto allocations without the operational challenges of direct token custody.

Risk and Opportunity in Emerging Assets

While the potential upside of early exposure to emerging tokens is often highlighted, experts emphasize that altcoins carry higher risk profiles than established assets like Bitcoin. Factors such as liquidity, protocol development, competition, and regulatory treatment can significantly affect performance.

“The appeal of these ETFs is diversification, not speculation,” said one portfolio manager. “They allow investors to spread risk across multiple assets within a regulated framework.”

Bitwise’s approach appears aimed at striking that balance, offering access to high-potential assets while embedding safeguards through product design and regulatory oversight.

Bitwise’s Long-Term Vision

With these filings, Bitwise Asset Management is signaling its ambition to become a first mover in the altcoin ETF space. By building on its experience with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP products, the firm is positioning itself to serve both institutional and retail demand as the crypto ETF market matures.

Industry observers say the strategy reflects a broader shift in digital asset management, where innovation increasingly centers on packaging complexity into familiar, regulated investment vehicles.

“If approved, these ETFs could help normalize altcoin exposure within traditional portfolios,” one analyst noted. “That would be a significant step in crypto’s integration with mainstream finance.”

A Potential New Chapter for Crypto ETFs

The proposed March 16, 2026 effective date remains conditional on SEC approval, but the filings themselves highlight how quickly the crypto investment landscape is evolving. Just a few years ago, the idea of multiple altcoin ETFs trading in U.S. markets would have seemed unlikely.

Today, asset managers are actively competing to define the next phase of regulated crypto investing.

Whether all, some, or none of Bitwise’s proposed ETFs ultimately receive approval, the move underscores a broader industry reality: demand for diversified, regulated crypto exposure is growing, and asset managers are racing to meet it.

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