Bitwise Files for a NEAR ETF, Expanding Crypto Investment Options

The filing, as indicated by the attached S-1 form submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 6, 2025, marks a significant step towards offering investors more accessible ways to gain exposure to the NEAR Protocol ecosystem.

The S-1 form reveals the name of the proposed fund as the “Bitwise NEAR ETF.” While details regarding the ETF’s structure, fees, and ticker symbol are yet to be disclosed in full, the filing itself signals Bitwise’s intent to bring a regulated investment vehicle focused on NEAR to the market.

NEAR Protocol is a layer-1 blockchain designed for usability and scalability. It aims to provide a developer-friendly platform for building decentralized applications (dApps) and offers features like sharding (Nightshade) to enhance transaction throughput. The potential launch of a NEAR ETF could attract both institutional and retail investors who are interested in the growth potential of the NEAR ecosystem but prefer the familiarity and regulatory oversight of traditional investment products.

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This move by Bitwise follows a trend of increasing institutional interest in a wider range of cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. The successful launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year has seemingly paved the way for consideration of other digital assets.

The SEC will now review Bitwise’s S-1 filing. The timeline for approval is uncertain and will depend on the SEC’s assessment of the proposal and the evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets. However, the filing itself represents a notable development for the NEAR Protocol and the broader cryptocurrency investment space, potentially opening up new avenues for investment and adoption.

As the application progresses, further details about the Bitwise NEAR ETF are expected to emerge, which will provide greater clarity for investors interested in this potential new investment product.

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