NYSE Debuts Bitwise AVAX ETF With 5.4% Staking Model

Bitwise Asset Management has listed an Avalanche ETF on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BAVA, giving U.S. investors exchange-listed exposure to AVAX without direct token custody. The fund also includes a built-in staking component, setting it apart from most existing crypto ETFs.

BAVA’s Staking Architecture Sets It Apart From Standard Crypto ETF Designs

A portion of BAVA’s AVAX holdings will be deployed to support Avalanche network operations, with the staking process managed by Bitwise Onchain Solutions, the firm’s in-house staking division. Bitwise projects average staking rewards of approximately 5.4%, though it cautioned that returns will vary with network conditions. 

To keep the fund operationally liquid, Bitwise said it will maintain sufficient reserves to support normal trading activity even as a share of the portfolio remains staked. The product carries a sponsor fee of 0.34%, which Bitwise said will be waived for the first month on the initial $500 million in assets under management.

Hougan Positions Avalanche as Infrastructure Layer for Institutional Adoption

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan framed Avalanche as an increasingly critical infrastructure layer for institutional and government blockchain adoption. 

“Avalanche offers scale, security, and flexibility for builders that want more control over application design. The network can support custom blockchain environments that connect to its broader infrastructure while maintaining independent governance and access rules.”

At the time of the announcement, Avalanche’s market capitalization stood at approximately $4.1 billion, with the network widely recognized for its high transaction throughput and low fee structure.

AVAX ETF Flows Have Been Flat Since Mid-March

Despite the listing, demand for AVAX-linked ETF exposure has been largely dormant lately. Spot Avalanche ETFs have recorded zero net inflows since March 17, with total net assets holding steady at approximately $17.19 million, according to available flow data. 

Earlier in the quarter, flows were more active. The strongest single-day performance came in mid-February, when inflows exceeded $4 million, with smaller bursts of activity following later that month before momentum faded. 

AVAX itself was trading near $9.47 at the time of the launch, having recovered from a dip into the $8.50-$8.70 range in early April, though the token has yet to break above resistance near $10.50 and remains in a broader consolidation pattern.

Bitwise’s Aggressive SEC Filing Strategy Builds Toward a 15-Product Lineup

BAVA arrives as Bitwise continues to file aggressively with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In January 2026, the firm submitted applications for ETFs tied to a wide range of digital assets, including Aave, Uniswap, Tron, Bittensor, NEAR, Sui, Zcash, Ethena, Hyperliquid, Starknet, and Canton. 

Among those filings was what Bitwise described as the first-ever Uniswap ETF application. With around 15 ETF products across its live lineup and active pipeline, Bitwise is positioning itself as one of the most prolific filers in the digital asset fund space.