Cryptocurrency asset manager Bitwise has published the Bitcoin wallet addresses holding assets for its spot BTC exchange-traded fund (ETF), Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Trust (BITB).
The addresses, released on January 24th, allow anyone to verify on the blockchain that Bitwise holds nearly 11,900 BTC worth about $465 million for the ETF.Â
Bitwise co-founder Hunter Horsley stated the company shared the addresses in response to investor feedback favoring transparency. Over 90% of respondents to a Twitter poll supported making the holdings public.
Bitwise expressed interest in providing further transparency to investors, including potential collaborations to enable real-time cryptographic verification through companies like Hoseki.
While the published addresses allow the public to verify Bitwise’s Bitcoin asset holdings, they do not represent full proof of the company’s reserves.
The move comes as the SEC has approved several spot bitcoin ETFs in recent months. Bitwise is the first to voluntarily share fund wallet addresses, setting an example other issuers may follow.
Also Read: Crypto Milestone: Bitwise Launches First Bitcoin ETF on NYSE