BlackRock exchange-traded fund combining ether price tracking with Ethereum staking yield
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB)
Spot bitcoin ETF listed on NYSE Arca with a 0.20% expense ratio and public reserve verification
What is Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB)?
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) is a spot bitcoin exchange-traded product listed on the NYSE Arca. The fund holds physical bitcoin directly and tracks the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate. This setup allows investors to access bitcoin through standard brokerage and retirement accounts without managing private cryptographic keys.
Leadership and backing
The fund is sponsored by Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC, a subsidiary of San Francisco-based Bitwise Asset Management. Founded in 2017, Bitwise is led by Chief Executive Officer Hunter Horsley, who previously managed monetization products at Facebook and Instagram. Teddy Fusaro serves as President following portfolio management leadership roles at New York Life and IndexIQ, while Chief Technology Officer Hong Kim previously worked as a software security researcher. Bitwise pledges 10% of BITB profits to open-source Bitcoin development groups, including Brink, OpenSats, and the Human Rights Foundation's Bitcoin Development Fund.
Custody and fund mechanics
BITB holds 100% of its underlying assets in physical bitcoin. Custody of the digital assets is managed by Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC, while The Bank of New York Mellon is the trust custodian and fund administrator. To maintain verification of underlying holdings, independent accounting firm The Network Firm LLP conducts daily AICPA-compliant proof-of-reserve examinations of the trust's blockchain addresses.
Fees and trading expenses
The trust charges a 0.20% sponsor fee, which covers custodial charges, administration, and regular auditing expenses. Bitwise initially instituted a fee waiver covering 100% of the sponsor fee for the first six months of operation on the first $1 billion in trust assets. Trading the fund incurs brokerage commissions where applicable, along with market bid-ask spreads, which averaged a 30-day median of 0.02% as of October 2026.
Track record and structure
BITB commenced trading on January 10, 2024. As of October 2026, the trust held 37,084.60 BTC with net assets under management of approximately $3.02 billion across 68,350,000 outstanding shares. Financial statements for the fund are audited by KPMG. The fund trades continuously during standard United States exchange hours and offers daily secondary market liquidity.
Key risks and limitations
Shares of BITB are subject to the price volatility of bitcoin, and the trust lacks the regulatory protections of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Shareholders cannot redeem their shares for the underlying physical bitcoin, meaning investors remain exposed to the custody and operational risks of centralized intermediaries. Over extended holding periods, cumulative sponsor fees cause performance divergence from pure spot bitcoin prices.
Founders
Former product manager on monetization at Facebook and Instagram, holding a BS in Economics from the Wharton School.
Former software security researcher in the Korean military, holding a BS in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Competitive 0.20% expense ratio covering custody and administration costs
- Independent daily proof-of-reserve examinations by an accounting firm
- Tight trading liquidity with a 0.02% 30-day median bid-ask spread
- Pledges 10% of fund profits to open-source Bitcoin developers
Cons
- Investors cannot redeem fund shares for actual physical bitcoin
- Not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
- Subject to institutional counterparty concentration with a single crypto custodian
Our review
BITB offers low-fee spot bitcoin exposure backed by institutional custody and transparent proof of reserves, but investors cannot redeem shares for physical bitcoin.
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) is a spot bitcoin exchange-traded product sponsored by Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC. Launched on January 10, 2024, and traded on NYSE Arca, it provides direct spot bitcoin exposure through standard brokerage and retirement accounts without requiring investors to handle self-custody or crypto exchange accounts.
A primary strength of the fund is its low pricing structure. BITB carries a sponsor fee of 0.20%, which covers trust administration, auditing, and custody expenses. Bitwise also instituted an initial fee waiver covering the entire sponsor fee on the first $1 billion in trust assets for the fund's first six months. Liquidity is strong: as of October 2026, BITB holds over $3.01B in net assets across 68,350,000 shares, with a 30-day median bid-ask spread of 0.02% and daily trading volume exceeding 1,080,000 shares.
Operationally, BITB separates duties across traditional financial and crypto custodians. Coinbase Custody Trust Company holds the physical bitcoin, Bank of New York Mellon serves as trust administrator and cash custodian, and KPMG acts as auditor. Bitwise publishes daily proof-of-reserve examination reports conducted by independent accounting firm The Network Firm LLP, giving regular visibility into onchain holdings.
The product carries structural limitations typical of spot crypto exchange-traded products:
- Investors own shares of the trust rather than the underlying asset, meaning there is no option to withdraw bitcoin directly to a personal wallet.
- Holdings are concentrated with a single digital asset custodian, Coinbase Custody Trust Company.
- The fund does not generate staking rewards or yield, and the sponsor fee gradually erodes holdings relative to raw bitcoin over long holding periods.
BITB suits retail and institutional investors seeking low-cost, liquid exposure to bitcoin through tax-advantaged accounts or standard brokerage platforms. Those who require self-custody or direct coin control should hold bitcoin directly onchain instead.
Sources (2)
Specs
| Ticker | BITB |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Bitwise |
| Holds | Bitcoin · unverified |
| Structure | Spot ETF · unverified |
| Expense ratio | 0.2% · unverified |
| Fee waiver | 0.00% on the first $1 billion of Trust assets for the first 6 months · unverified |
| Assets under management | $3.02B · unverified |
| Listed on | NYSE Arca · unverified |
| Launch date | 2024-01-10 · unverified |
| Custodian | Coinbase Custody Trust Co., LLC · unverified |
| Stakes its holdings | No · unverified |
| Market | United States · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Options available.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Direct spot bitcoin holdings
The trust holds 100% of its value in physical bitcoin, allocating roughly 0.000543 BTC per share.
Institutional asset custody
Underlying digital assets are held in cold storage accounts with Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC.
Daily reserve verification
The Network Firm LLP performs daily independent proof-of-reserve examinations under AICPA standards.
Secondary market exchange trading
Shares trade on NYSE Arca during standard market hours with a 30-day median spread of 0.02%.
Benchmark reference tracking
Calculates official net asset values using the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate.
Open-source developer donations
Directs 10% of BITB profits to Bitcoin open-source developers through Brink, OpenSats, and HRF.
Inside Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB)
Fund Summary
Displays core trust metrics including ticker, CUSIP, net assets, outstanding shares, sponsor fees, and trading volume.
Performance
Shows historical returns across net asset value and market price alongside quarter-end benchmark comparisons.
Fund Holdings
Reports total physical bitcoin held in the trust, aggregate market value, and bitcoin allocation per share.
Proof of Reserves Transparency
Provides daily wallet balance reconciliations and independent examination reports conducted by The Network Firm LLP.
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) screenshots
User reviews
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FAQ
Who founded and runs Bitwise?
Bitwise Asset Management was founded in 2017 and is led by CEO Hunter Horsley, President Teddy Fusaro, and CTO Hong Kim. The firm manages investment products across ETFs, private funds, and separately managed accounts.
What are the fees for BITB?
BITB charges a 0.20% sponsor fee, which includes custody, administration, and auditor costs. Bitwise waived this fee on the first $1 billion in assets for the fund's first six months of trading.
Where is the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF available?
BITB is listed on NYSE Arca in the United States. Investors can buy and sell shares through traditional brokerage and retirement accounts.
Who holds the bitcoin in the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF?
Coinbase Custody Trust Company serves as the digital asset custodian holding the trust's bitcoin in cold storage. Bank of New York Mellon acts as the trust custodian and administrator.
Does BITB provide proof of reserves?
Yes, Bitwise publishes daily independent examination reports verifying the trust's bitcoin holdings against onchain balances. These examinations are conducted in accordance with AICPA standards by The Network Firm LLP.
Can investors redeem BITB shares directly for bitcoin?
No, retail shareholders cannot redeem BITB shares for physical bitcoin. Only authorized participants can create or redeem shares directly with the trust, while secondary market investors buy and sell shares for cash.
Alternatives to Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB)
Spot Bitcoin ETF on NYSE Arca with direct custody and a 0.15% sponsor fee
Spot ether ETF trading on NYSE Arca with native staking and a 0.15% expense ratio
Spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund with a 0.21% management fee and multi-custodian cold storage
Spot bitcoin exchange-traded trust by Morgan Stanley charging a 0.14% sponsor fee
Morgan Stanley spot ether ETP on NYSE Arca holding ETH with BNY Mellon and Coinbase Custody

