Key Takeaways
- • Bitwise acquired institutional staking provider Chorus One, which manages $2.2 billion in staked assets, to expand staking services across over 30 proof-of-stake blockchain networks including Solana, Avalanche, Sui, NEAR, Aptos, and TON.
- • The acquisition integrates Chorus One into Bitwise Onchain Solutions, the subsidiary serving institutional investors, family offices, and financial platforms; approximately 50 Chorus One employees will join Bitwise, with co-founder Brian Crain assuming an advisory role.
- • Bitwise, representing $15 billion in assets under management, strengthens its position in the institutional staking market amid climbing demand, particularly on Ethereum where staked ETH continues reaching all-time highs.
- • Deal terms were not disclosed; the acquisition reflects Bitwise's broader strategy to expand beyond single-product crypto funds into diversified service offerings including model portfolios for financial advisers and event-contract ETFs.
Summary
The acquisition positions Bitwise to deliver staking services and research coverage across more than 30 proof-of-stake networks. The supported chains include major Layer 1 ecosystems such as Solana, Avalanche, Sui, NEAR, Aptos, and TON, as well as emerging networks like Hyperliquid and Monad. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley emphasized the strategic rationale: "For our thousands of clients who hold spot crypto assets, staking is one of the most compelling growth opportunities. Chorus One is best-in-class across technology and research, with an eight-year track record of doing things the right way."
The Chorus One team, representing approximately 50 employees, will transition to Bitwise as part of the integration. Chorus One co-founder Brian Crain has been appointed to a Bitwise advisory role. This move aligns with Bitwise's broader evolution beyond single-product offerings. The firm, which manages $15 billion in assets under management, recently launched model portfolio solutions targeting financial advisers and filed regulatory documents to list ETFs focused on event contracts tied to the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
The acquisition arrives as institutional demand for staking accelerates, particularly within Ethereum's staking ecosystem where locked ETH continues setting record highs, driven in part by participation from treasury-focused firms. Bitwise's expanded staking capabilities position it to capture growing client demand for yield-generating strategies within institutional crypto portfolios.
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