Bitwise Asset Management announced the launch of a new exchange-traded product (ETP) centered around staking the Aptos network's native token on Nov. 19. This Aptos Staking ETP, trading under the ticker "APTB" on the SIX Swiss Exchange, represents the first of its kind globally. 

The ETP will be physically backed by Aptos tokens, which will be staked to generate returns. It is reportedly designed to provide investors with a net return of approximately 4.7% per year. Following its debut on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Bitwise has plans to extend APTB to other European exchanges, further expanding investor access.

“The Aptos staking ETP marks a significant leap forward for the future of institutional adoption and validates the reliability, scalability, speed of the Aptos blockchain. I can’t wait to see what new potential it will unlock in the near future,” said Mo Shaikh, CEO and co-founder of Aptos Labs.

The ETP’s Staking Model and Investor Benefits

Staking allows token holders to earn rewards by helping validate transactions on Proof of Stake (PoS) networks like Aptos. 

Unlike traditional dividend returns in equities, staking returns come in the form of additional tokens. With APTB, Bitwise’s ETP structure allows investors to indirectly stake their holdings through a secure and regulated framework, bypassing the technical complexities typically involved in staking.

Major Milestone for Aptos Staking on a Regulated Market

The Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP (APTB) brings regulated market access to staking for both retail and institutional investors. Bitwise CEO and co-founder Hunter Horsley highlighted the product's role in expanding access to next-generation blockchain assets, stating:

“We’re thrilled to now be able to launch the Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP to expand access to one of the most exciting next generation blockchains in the space.”

As a high-performance blockchain network, Aptos has quickly gained traction since its 2022 launch, achieving over 8 million monthly active users and integrating with major players like Microsoft, Amazon, and Mastercard. A total of 250 projects and 1.7 billion transactions have already been processed using Aptos.

The Aptos Staking ETP is the latest addition to Bitwise’s growing lineup of crypto products aimed at European investors. Earlier this year, Bitwise introduced the Ethereum Staking ETP (ET32), which has already accumulated over $50 million in assets. 

A Potential Shift in Staking Regulations in the U.S.

With recent regulatory developments in the U.S., such as the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETPs, crypto stakeholders are watching closely to see if staking will become permissible for U.S.-based ETFs. 

Even though staking-based financial products are currently prohibited in the United States, upcoming changes in the regulatory landscape may create new opportunities.

For now, Europe remains at the forefront of staking-focused crypto products, offering diverse opportunities to investors seeking exposure to next-gen blockchains.