Background
Bitwise, a crypto-focused asset manager, is pushing boundaries by filing for an Aptos Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), leveraging a Delaware trust structure—a common precursor to SEC filings. Aptos, a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain, ranks 36th by market cap per CoinGecko, making this a bold play in the ETF race.
This could open Aptos to mainstream investors, enhancing liquidity and credibility, especially with a crypto-friendly Trump administration in play. However, SEC approval isn’t guaranteed, given past hesitancy with altcoin ETFs.
Will this spark an Aptos price surge, or stall under regulatory scrutiny? The crypto world’s watching.
Bitwise Asset Management has lit a fire under the crypto market with its February 27, 2025, filing for an Aptos ETF through a Delaware trust, a strategic move signaling an upcoming SEC registration push. This bold step positions Bitwise as the first U.S. firm to chase an exchange-traded fund directly holding APT tokens, the native currency of the Aptos blockchain—a Layer-1 contender ranked 36th by market cap, per CoinGecko. With this Aptos ETF, Bitwise aims to bridge the gap between institutional investors and emerging crypto assets, riding a wave of ETF fever that’s swept beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The filing, detailed by Crypto Briefing, marks an initial salvo before Bitwise submits formal SEC paperwork, a process that could stretch months under regulatory review. Aptos, born from Meta’s Diem project, boasts high-speed transactions and developer-friendly tech like the Move language—traits that caught Bitwise’s eye after launching an Aptos Staking ETP in Europe last November. Now, this Aptos ETF could unlock mainstream capital for a blockchain already touted as “production-ready” by industry voices, amplifying its $5 billion ecosystem.
What’s the buzz? This move comes amid a crypto ETF boom—XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and more are in the SEC pipeline—fueled by a Trump administration seen as blockchain-friendly. X posts from
@kryll_ai and
@Your_AIpha_Bae erupted with excitement, predicting boosted liquidity and adoption for Aptos. Yet, the SEC’s track record with altcoin funds hints at a rocky road ahead for the Aptos ETF. Will it soar, or stumble? Analysts say approval could hinge on Aptos’ regulatory clarity, unlike Bitcoin’s commodity status.
For now, Bitwise’s $5 billion in assets under management (up 400% in 2024) lends heft to this gamble. If greenlit, the Aptos ETF might not just lift APT’s price but signal a new era for altcoin investing. Crypto watchers are glued to the outcome—this could be a game-changer or a regulatory cliffhanger. https://x.com/Lutcheann