Bitwise Pushes NEAR ETF Forward With Staking and NYSE Arca Listing Plan in SEC

TLDR

• Bitwise added staking to its amended NEAR ETF filing while seeking regulated token exposure access.
• The proposed fund would list on NYSE Arca if approved by the SEC during review.
• BNY Mellon was named cash custodian, administrator, and transfer agent for the trust under filing.
• Coinbase Custody would hold NEAR tokens for the ETF under Bitwise’s amended filing with safeguards.
• The SEC review remains pending, with management fees and ticker details still undisclosed by Bitwise.

Bitwise has submitted an amended S-1 registration statement for its proposed spot NEAR Protocol exchange-traded fund to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The July 2, 2026, S-1/A filing updates the proposed Bitwise NEAR ETF as the asset manager continues through the regulatory review process.

The amendment adds staking as a second objective for the trust, alongside providing regulated exposure to NEAR held by the fund.

The filing also names NYSE Arca as the planned exchange for listing and trading the ETF, although SEC approval is still required before the product can launch.

Bitwise Updates Spot NEAR ETF Filing

Bitwise’s amended filing shows that the firm is continuing to revise its proposal as part of the SEC review process. S-1 amendments are commonly filed when issuers update product disclosures, respond to regulator feedback, or refine the operating structure of a proposed fund.

The proposed ETF is designed to give investors exposure to NEAR Protocol’s native token without requiring them to directly buy, store, or manage the cryptocurrency. This structure follows the regulated fund model already used for spot crypto ETFs tied to larger digital assets.

The amendment does not include a ticker, management fee, or possible fee waiver. These details may be added in later filings if Bitwise continues moving the product toward a potential launch.

Staking Added as Second Fund Objective

The amended S-1 adds staking as a second objective for the proposed Bitwise NEAR ETF. Under that structure, the trust would seek to generate additional income for investors through staking activity connected to NEAR held by the fund.

The filing also updates risk disclosures tied to staking, including possible tax treatment, market volatility, and redemption liquidity. These additions show that staking would be a regulated product feature rather than a separate activity handled directly by investors.

Staking has become an important issue in crypto ETF filings because proof-of-stake networks generate rewards through validator participation. The SEC’s treatment of staking inside spot crypto funds remains closely watched by asset managers seeking to offer altcoin-based ETFs.

NYSE Arca, BNY Mellon and Coinbase Named

Bitwise named NYSE Arca as the exchange selected for the proposed listing and trading of the NEAR ETF. NYSE Arca has been used for several exchange-traded product listings and is often named in filings for digital asset funds.

The Bank of New York Mellon was selected as cash custodian, administrator, and transfer agent for the trust. Coinbase Custody was named as crypto custodian, giving it responsibility for holding the NEAR tokens backing the proposed product.

Bitwise Asset Management, the parent of Bitwise Investment Advisers, plans to provide seed capital for the ETF. The filing remains under SEC review, and the proposed fund cannot begin trading unless the regulator clears the registration process.

The updated filing reflects broader interest among asset managers in spot crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. A potential NEAR ETF would add another altcoin-focused product to the regulatory pipeline, while the SEC’s decision will be monitored by issuers preparing similar applications.

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