Bitwise, the world’s largest crypto index fund manager, has taken a bold step forward by listing five new exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zürich. This move underscores the company’s explosive growth—now managing over $15 billion in assets, a 200% increase since October 2024—and highlights Switzerland’s pivotal role as Europe’s digital asset hub. The new ETPs, which include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and an index fund tracking the top 20 cryptocurrencies, offer investors diversified crypto exposure without the need for direct wallet management. Backed by cold-storage reserves and redeemable through a trustee, these products blend traditional financial structures with the innovation of digital assets. Switzerland’s progressive regulatory environment, marked by milestones like the first Bitcoin ETF in 2018 and a Bitcoin embassy in 2022, makes it an ideal market for Bitwise’s expansion. The launch signals a maturing crypto landscape, where staking, indexing, and physical asset backing are becoming mainstream investment strategies.

The Rise of Bitwise: A Crypto Powerhouse Hits New Heights

Bitwise has spent the last eight years establishing itself as a dominant force in the crypto index fund space. With a portfolio of over 30 investment products, the firm has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in digital asset management. Now, it’s setting its sights on Europe, announcing the listing of five new crypto ETPs on the SIX Swiss Exchange, one of the continent’s most respected financial marketplaces.
This expansion isn’t just about geography—it’s a strategic response to the growing demand for regulated, accessible crypto exposure. Bitwise’s timing is impeccable. The company recently surpassed $15 billion in assets under management (AUM), a 200% surge from October 2024, reflecting the rapid institutionalization of crypto as an asset class. Switzerland, with its history of financial innovation, provides the perfect platform for this next phase of growth.
The country has long been a pioneer in digital assets, from launching the first crypto ETF in 2018 to introducing Bitcoin custody services in 2021 and even establishing a Bitcoin embassy in partnership with El Salvador in 2022. As Ronald Richter, Bitwise’s Regional Director of European Investment Strategy, put it, “Europe is rapidly opening up for digital assets, and Switzerland is a leading and crucial market at the heart of the continent.” The new ETPs are designed to capitalize on this momentum, offering investors a mix of staking, indexing, and physically backed products.

Inside the New ETPs: What Investors Need to Know

Bitwise’s latest offerings on the SIX Exchange represent a carefully selected blend of flagship crypto assets and innovative financial instruments. Here’s what’s on the table:

Bitcoin ETP (BTC1): Provides direct exposure to Bitcoin, fully collateralized by reserves held in cold storage.
Ethereum Staking ETP (ET32): Allows investors to participate in Ethereum staking without the technical complexities, earning rewards while holding the ETP.
Solana Staking ETP (BSOL): Offers staking rewards from Solana’s high-performance blockchain, another high-growth opportunity for passive income.
Physical XRP Product (GXRP): Tracks the price of XRP, with a physical redemption mechanism via a trustee, similar to precious metal ETCs.
MSCI Global Digital Assets Select 20 (DA20): An index fund replicating the performance of the top 20 cryptocurrencies, providing broad-market exposure in a single product.

What sets these ETPs apart is their accessibility. Unlike traditional crypto investments, which require wallets and private keys, these products are redeemable through a trustee, making them as straightforward as buying shares in a stock or bond. The inclusion of staking ETPs is particularly notable. Staking, which involves locking up crypto assets to support blockchain networks in exchange for rewards, has historically been the domain of technically savvy users. By bundling staking into an ETP, Bitwise democratizes access to these yields, opening the door for mainstream investors.
The MSCI Global Digital Assets Select 20 (DA20) is another standout, offering diversified exposure to the most liquid and investable cryptocurrencies. For investors seeking a one-stop solution to the crypto market, this index fund eliminates the need to pick individual winners, spreading risk across a curated basket of assets.

Why Switzerland? The Crypto-Native Advantage

Switzerland’s reputation as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction is well-earned. The country has consistently led the charge in digital asset adoption, thanks to its progressive regulation, robust infrastructure, and deep financial expertise. The launch of the first Bitcoin ETF in 2018 was a watershed moment, signaling to the world that Switzerland was serious about integrating crypto into its financial ecosystem. Since then, the country has continued to innovate, from institutional-grade custody solutions to high-profile partnerships like the Bitcoin embassy with El Salvador.
For Bitwise, Switzerland offers more than just a regulatory safe haven. The SIX Exchange, known for its liquidity and stringent listing standards, provides a credible platform for introducing sophisticated crypto products to a global audience. “We’re extremely pleased to develop our product suite on the widely respected SIX exchange,” Richter noted, emphasizing the exchange’s role in legitimizing crypto as an asset class.
Switzerland’s appeal extends beyond regulation. The country is home to a dense network of wealth managers, family offices, and institutional investors, all of whom are increasingly allocating capital to digital assets. By listing on SIX, Bitwise taps into this ecosystem, offering a regulated, transparent, and secure way to gain crypto exposure. The physical redemption mechanism—where each ETP is fully backed by cold-storage reserves—further enhances trust, addressing one of the biggest concerns for traditional investors: counterparty risk.

Broader Implications: Crypto’s Mainstream Moment

Bitwise’s expansion into Switzerland is more than a corporate milestone—it’s a sign of the times. The launch of staking and index ETPs reflects a broader shift in the market, where passive income strategies and diversified crypto portfolios are becoming the norm. As digital assets move closer to the financial mainstream, products like these are bridging the gap between speculative trading and long-term investment.
The implications for investors are significant:

Diversification: The DA20 index ETP allows exposure to a broad basket of cryptocurrencies, reducing the risk of betting on a single asset.
Yield Generation: Staking ETPs provide a hands-off way to earn rewards, making them attractive to both retail and institutional players.
Regulatory Comfort: Listing on a regulated exchange like SIX offers a level of security and transparency that’s often lacking in the crypto space.

There’s also a geopolitical dimension to consider. While the U.S. grapples with regulatory uncertainty, Europe—led by Switzerland—is emerging as a hub for crypto innovation. This trend could accelerate capital flows into the region, particularly as institutional investors seek jurisdictions with clear rules and robust infrastructure.

Strategic Takeaways for Investors

For those considering an allocation to Bitwise’s new ETPs, here are the key action points:

Diversify with Confidence: The DA20 index ETP offers a balanced approach to crypto investing, spreading risk across multiple assets.
Explore Staking Yields: Ethereum and Solana staking ETPs present an opportunity to earn passive income without the technical hassle of self-staking.
Leverage Switzerland’s Stability: The SIX Exchange’s reputation for transparency and security makes it an ideal venue for conservative investors dip their toes into crypto.
Monitor Institutional Trends: Bitwise’s rapid growth suggests that institutional adoption is accelerating. Early positioning in these products could offer a first-mover advantage.

Bottomline: A New Chapter for Crypto Investing

Bitwise’s foray into the Swiss market marks a turning point for digital asset investment. By combining traditional financial structures with cutting-edge crypto innovation, the firm is redefining how investors interact with the asset class. Switzerland’s role as a crypto-native hub further legitimizes this shift, offering a regulated, secure, and accessible pathway into digital assets.
The message for investors is clear: crypto is no longer a fringe asset. With products like Bitwise’s ETPs, it’s becoming a core component of modern portfolios. The question is no longer if to allocate to digital assets, but how—and Bitwise’s latest offerings provide a compelling answer.