Bitwise Makes History as First Spot Bitcoin ETF to Share Wallet Address

• Bitwise, a digital asset manager, leads transparency by revealing its Bitcoin wallet address for its BITB ETF, boosting accountability in the cryptocurrency world.

• Bitwise’s wallet, “1CKVs,” holds $470.74 million in BTC, ranking 71st among top Bitcoin addresses, with no outgoing transfers since creation.

Bitwise, a leading digital asset manager, has set a new standard for transparency in the cryptocurrency market. On January 24, 2024, Bitwise became the first U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) to publicly disclose its wallet address, marking a significant step towards on-chain transparency. 

Bitwise’s recent announcement on X is a milestone in the cryptocurrency industry. The firm, known for launching the BITB U.S. spot bitcoin ETF, took a bold step by authenticating its BTC reserves by publishing its bitcoin wallet addresses. This decision allows anyone, from investors to the general public, to independently verify BITB’s holdings and transactions directly on the blockchain.

Announcement: Today the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) becomes the first U.S. bitcoin ETF to publish the bitcoin addresses of its holdings.

Now anyone can verify BITB's holdings and flows directly on the blockchain.

Onchain transparency is core to Bitcoin's ethos. We're proud to… pic.twitter.com/1JTUh3zvDE

— Bitwise (@BitwiseInvest) January 24, 2024

Bitwise’s initiative to publish onchain addresses is only the start. The firm intends to increase public openness by pursuing partnerships with companies like the Hoseki App to give real-time cryptographic attestations. By adopting these steps, Bitwise helps shape the changing crypto market transparency and accountability landscape.

Publishing on-chain addresses is a first step toward increasing public transparency. As infrastructure evolves, we hope to do more, such as working with firms like @hosekiapp to provide real-time cryptographic attestations.

— Bitwise (@BitwiseInvest) January 24, 2024

Bitwise’s Impressive BTC Holdings in Wallet “1CKVs”

Bitwise’s decision is consistent with a broader trend among centralized exchange (CEX) systems. Over the last year, numerous exchanges have implemented improved proof-of-reserve (POR) systems. Though these systems had existed for years, they rose to prominence following the collapse of FTX. This tragedy prompted exchanges to promote transparency and disclose comprehensive information about their cryptocurrency reserves.

As of January 24, 2024, Bitwise’s wallet, known as “1CKVs,” contained a substantial 11,858.63 BTC, valued at nearly $470.74 million at present exchange rates. Since its inception on January 11, 2024, the wallet has participated in 17 transactions. Notably, this wallet is ranked 71st among the top 100 wealthiest Bitcoin addresses. It’s important to note that there have been no outgoing transfers from this wallet since its creation.

SEC Approval and Industry Impact

Bitwise’s spot Bitcoin ETF offering was approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 10, 2024, along with ten other applications from asset management firms. However, it is questionable whether other organizations will follow Bitwise’s lead in revealing BTC addresses for their investment vehicles. On January 22, Arkham Intelligence claimed to have discovered wallets linked to ETFs, including Bitwise, BlackRock, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton.

Bitwise’s decision to release its BTC address was driven by clear feedback from investors. A poll conducted by Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley on January 23 revealed that a staggering 91.1% of 2,416 respondents favored making BTC holdings public. This overwhelming support demonstrates the growing demand for transparency within the cryptocurrency space.

ETF analyst James Seyffart commented on Bitwise’s move, stating, “Bitwise is the first and almost certainly not the last to post their Bitcoin address for BITB.” This acknowledgment from industry experts highlights the significance of Bitwise’s actions and sets a precedent for others to follow.

Bitwise’s BITB ETF made a strong entrance into the market, ranking in the top 5% of ETFs by assets under management in 2023, just seven days after its launch. It’s worth noting that there was approximately $76 million in net outflows for all spot BTC ETFs on their seventh day of trading, with Grayscale’s GBTC leading in terms of the largest net outflows.