TL;DR

ETF Filing Momentum: Bitwise filed with the SEC to launch a spot Avalanche ETF, offering direct AVAX exposure through a regulated investment vehicle.
AVAX Price Action: AVAX rallied 30% in September, surpassing $30 amid rising user activity and bullish technical indicators.
Institutional Expansion: Avalanche Foundation plans $1B in U.S. treasury firms to boost traditional access to AVAX tokens.

Bitwise Asset Management has filed an S-1 registration with the U.S. SEC to launch a spot ETF directly tied to Avalanche’s native token, AVAX. If approved, the ETF would offer traditional investors exposure to AVAX without needing to hold the cryptocurrency themselves, marking a pivotal moment in the integration of blockchain assets into mainstream financial portfolios.

Direct Exposure Through a Regulated Vehicle

The proposed Bitwise Avalanche ETF would hold AVAX tokens directly, rather than relying on derivatives or synthetic instruments. Coinbase Custody Trust Company is designated as the custodian, and the fund’s net asset value (NAV) will be calculated using the CME CF Avalanche–Dollar Reference Rate. This structure aims to simplify access for institutional and retail investors, allowing them to engage with the blockchain’s ecosystem through standard brokerage accounts.

Competitive Landscape and Institutional Momentum

Bitwise’s filing joins similar efforts by VanEck and Grayscale, both of which submitted applications earlier this year to launch their own Avalanche ETFs. The race to secure SEC approval reflects growing institutional interest in AVAX, driven by its expanding user base and technical capabilities. Bitwise emphasized that its ETF design would help investors implement strategic asset allocation using AVAX without the complexities of direct crypto ownership.

AVAX Price Surge and Market Sentiment

The ETF proposal coincides with a bullish rally in AVAX, which surged nearly 30% in September, crossing the $30 threshold for the first time since February. Analysts attribute the rise to increased daily active addresses and broader market momentum. Despite warnings of short-term correction risks due to leveraged futures activity, technical indicators suggest continued upward potential, with price targets ranging from $50 to $54.

Avalanche Foundation’s Parallel Strategy

Separately, the Avalanche Foundation announced plans to raise $1 billion to establish two U.S.-based treasury companies that will purchase AVAX tokens at a discount. These entities aim to offer traditional brokerage access to AVAX, mirroring the ETF’s goal of bridging crypto and conventional finance. Together, these developments signal a coordinated push to elevate Avalanche’s presence in regulated investment channels.

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Filed under: News - @ September 16, 2025 1:28 pm