Bitwise, the largest US crypto index fund manager, has acquired London-based ETC Group, a prominent issuer of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), marking a significant expansion into the European market.
The acquisition adds over $1 billion in assets under management (AUM) to Bitwise’s portfolio, bringing its total AUM to over $4.5 billion. ETC Group, founded in 2019, offers a range of ETPs based on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Ripple.
Bitwise plans to rebrand these products under the Bitwise name in the coming months, ensuring no material changes to existing ETC investment strategies. The acquisition is seen as a pivotal moment in Bitwise’s growth strategy, as it anticipates a dramatic shift in the crypto landscape with the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs.
The move into Europe follows successful product launches in the US, including the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF and the Bitwise Ethereum ETF, which attracted over $2 billion in assets since their inception.
The acquisition aligns with Bitwise’s prediction of a surge in institutional investment in crypto ETFs, as major financial institutions increasingly offer these products to their clients.
