Bitwise Launches First-Ever Aptos Staking ETP in Europe

European Investors Gain Access to the First Staked Aptos ETP Amid Continued U.S. Restrictions

Asset manager Bitwise has announced the launch of the first-ever exchange-traded product (ETP) focused on staked Aptos (APT), the native token of the Aptos blockchain. Scheduled to debut on Switzerland's SIX Swiss Exchange on Nov. 19, the Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP (ticker: APTB) will be available to institutional and retail investors across Europe.

This Aptos ETP is physically backed, with the underlying tokens staked to generate returns estimated at 4.7% after fees, directly accumulated within the ETP. Bitwise has been expanding its Total Return product suite in Europe, which also includes an Ethereum (ETH) staking ETP.

Aptos: A Rising Blockchain Platform

Launched in 2022, Aptos is a high-performance, Layer 1 blockchain designed to host enterprise-level decentralized applications (Dapps). The platform has already attracted over 8 million monthly active users and supports more than 250 projects. To date, Aptos has processed 1.7 billion transactions.

Major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Mastercard, and Coinbase are reported to use Aptos, highlighting its potential in the blockchain space. Aptos' market cap currently stands at around $6.5 billion, with 80% of its supply staked. Stakers in the Aptos network are rewarded with around 7% returns, according to Coinbase as of Nov. 12.

Staking Restrictions Persist in U.S., But Regulatory Change May Be on the Horizon

In the U.S., Bitwise offers exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum, though current regulations prohibit staking in U.S.-listed ETPs. However, a potential shift could be on the horizon following Donald Trump’s recent presidential win on Nov. 5. Experts, including Cointelegraph Research, predict that Trump's administration may loosen restrictions on cryptocurrency products, potentially enabling the launch of staking and altcoin-focused ETFs in the U.S.

Numerous proposed crypto ETFs—including those holding altcoins like Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC)—await approval. In addition, issuers are looking to launch crypto index ETFs that would track a range of assets.

In a recent move, Coinbase also introduced a new benchmark index to track over 50 digital assets, a development that could further support future index-based crypto ETF launches in the U.S.

Summary

With the launch of APTB, Bitwise continues to expand its suite of crypto staking ETPs in Europe, providing access to the growing Aptos network. As U.S. regulatory policies evolve, Europe remains a leading market for crypto staking products.