Bitcoin 
Ethereum 
Tether 
BNB 
XRP 
USDC 
Solana 
TRON 
Lido Staked Ether 
Figure Heloc 
Ryan Moore 
Altcoins move into the ETF spotlight as regulators weigh the next phase
Bitwise Asset Management is making it clear that crypto ETFs don’t have to stop at Bitcoin and Ethereum. The firm has filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch 11 new crypto-focused ETFs, each tied to a different digital asset ranging from DeFi tokens to newer Layer-1 networks.
The filings, submitted using Form N-1A, cover a wide mix of assets: Aave, Uniswap, Tron, Bittensor, NEAR, Sui, Zcash, Ethena, Hyperliquid, Starknet, and Canton. If approved, the lineup would represent one of the broadest attempts yet to bring non-Bitcoin crypto exposure into traditional investment vehicles.
Rather than offering pure spot ETFs, Bitwise is proposing “strategy” funds. Under this structure, each ETF could invest up to 60% of its assets directly in the underlying token, with the rest spread across related exchange-traded products or derivatives like futures and swaps. The idea is to give investors meaningful exposure while staying within regulatory comfort zones that are still evolving.
Why strategy ETFs matter
This approach reflects where U.S. regulation currently stands. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have already cleared the approval hurdle, but expanding that model to other tokens remains uncertain. By leaning on derivatives and related products for part of the portfolio, Bitwise is effectively meeting the SEC halfway, offering exposure without relying entirely on spot markets.
There’s no timeline for a decision, and approval is far from guaranteed. The SEC has historically raised concerns around custody, market manipulation, and whether certain tokens should be classified as securities. Still, the filings alone suggest asset managers believe the door is at least partially open.
Momentum after BITW’s NYSE Arca debut
The ETF push follows a busy end to the year for Bitwise. Earlier in December, its 10 Crypto Index ETP, known as BITW, began trading on NYSE Arca after receiving regulatory approval. The product tracks the 10 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap and currently manages around $1.25 billion in assets.
While BITW isn’t registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and doesn’t carry the same protections as traditional ETFs, its listing marked another step in bringing crypto products into mainstream market infrastructure. That momentum appears to be carrying straight into Bitwise’s latest filings.
Pushing back on index decisions
At the same time, Bitwise has been vocal about how traditional finance treats crypto exposure. Earlier this month, the firm criticized a proposal by MSCI to remove Strategy, a company known for holding large amounts of Bitcoin, from a major global index. Bitwise argued that index providers should reflect market reality, not judge corporate balance sheet choices.
That stance fits neatly with its ETF strategy. Whether through tokens, derivatives, or equity exposure, Bitwise seems intent on keeping crypto represented wherever investors are looking.
If even a few of these new ETFs get approved, it would mark a meaningful shift. Crypto investing through regulated products would no longer be just about Bitcoin dominance, but about giving investors structured access to the broader ecosystem. The SEC’s response will help determine how fast that future arrives.
About the Author
David Rich 
John Wood 
Timothy Young