Bitwise submits 11 tiers of altcoin ETF applications in one go, further mainstreaming crypto assets

Asset management giant Bitwise has submitted 11 new cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), significantly expanding its business scope from Bitcoin and Ethereum into multiple altcoin sectors. The N-1A application filed at the end of December indicates that Bitwise plans to launch a series of “strategic” ETF products, employing multi-layered investment strategies targeting various crypto assets.

Innovative 60/40 Allocation Structure — Balancing Risk Exposure and Security

These 11 ETF applications follow a carefully designed allocation scheme: each fund will allocate 60% of its assets directly to underlying cryptocurrencies, while the remaining 40% will be invested in related exchange-traded products (ETPs) and derivative instruments. The cleverness of this structure lies in providing investors with ample crypto exposure while reducing the risks associated with direct holdings through diversification.

The cryptocurrencies covered in these applications include Aave, Canton (CC), Ethena (ENA), Hyperliquid (HYPE), NEAR, Starknet (STRK), Sui, Bittensor (TAO), Tron (TRX), Uniswap (UNI), and Zcash (ZEC). Trading symbols and management fees are still pending, awaiting final review and approval from the SEC.

The Regulatory New Era Behind 126 Pending Applications

Bitwise’s move comes at an opportune time. In September 2025, the SEC established unified listing standards for commodity trusts, significantly streamlining the approval process for digital assets traded on regulated markets with sufficient futures history or existing ETF support. As a result, Bitwise’s application scheme fully complies with the new framework, successfully joining the ranks of over 126 pending ETF applications.

This group also includes ETF applications for Solana, XRP, and emerging DeFi tokens. Coinbase Custody is expected to serve as custodian for at least some of these products (such as the previous SUI ETF application), enhancing institutional-grade security and attracting traditional investors who are cautious about direct crypto custody.

From Bitcoin to Altcoins, Institutional Funds Are Entering

This development signals that the U.S. regulatory attitude toward cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly rational and mature. Market observers expect these altcoin ETFs could trigger billions of dollars in capital inflows, tightly linking traditional finance with the DeFi ecosystem. Recent precedents continue to strengthen market confidence—including SEC recognition of Bitwise and other institutions’ XRP ETF applications, as well as ongoing reviews of Solana and Litecoin.

Despite ongoing volatility and regulatory uncertainties, the 60/40 allocation strategy offers investors diversified risk exposure without bearing the full burden of direct ownership. If these applications are ultimately approved, Bitwise’s ambitions could rival the over $100 billion in spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking another significant step toward mainstream acceptance of crypto assets.