Bitwise Adds $2.2 B Staking Platform Chorus One to Its On‑Chain Suite
February 25 2026 – Crypto asset manager Bitwise Investments announced the acquisition of staking‑infrastructure specialist Chorus One, a firm that currently oversees more than $2.2 billion in staked digital assets. The deal is expected to broaden Bitwise’s on‑chain capabilities and strengthen its offering of crypto‑linked exchange‑traded products.
Deal Overview
- Acquirer: Bitwise Investments, a U.S.‑based manager of crypto‑focused ETFs and mutual funds.
- Target: Chorus One, a staking‑service provider operating since 2018 for institutions, family offices, custodians and decentralized protocols.
- Assets Staked: Over $2.2 billion across more than 30 proof‑of‑stake (PoS) blockchains, including Solana, Avalanche, Sui, Aptos, Tezos, Hyperliquid and Monad.
- Team Integration: Approximately 50 Chorus One staff members will become part of Bitwise Onchain Solutions, the division that already manages several billions of dollars in staked tokens. Chorus One CEO Brian Crain will stay on in an advisory capacity.
- Financial Terms: The purchase price was not disclosed, and Bitwise declined to comment on the valuation.
Strategic Rationale
Bitwise’s CEO Hunter Horsley described staking as “one of the most compelling growth opportunities” for the firm’s client base, which consists of thousands of investors holding spot crypto assets. By absorbing Chorus One’s infrastructure, Bitwise can:
- Expand Chain Coverage – The combined platform now supports staking on a broader set of networks, giving Bitwise the ability to launch or enhance products tied to emerging PoS ecosystems.
- Deepen Yield‑Generating Offerings – Staking typically yields between 2 % and 10 % annually, providing a steady income stream that can be bundled into ETFs or other structured products.
- Leverage Regulatory Momentum – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has recently signaled openness to a wider range of crypto‑related investment vehicles, paving the way for new staking‑focused ETFs.
- Cross‑Sell to Existing Clients – Bitwise’s current suite—anchored by the BITB Bitcoin ETF and ETHW Ethereum ETF—can now incorporate staking returns, potentially boosting total asset‑under‑management (AUM) growth.
Market Context
Staking has become a mainstream method for investors to earn passive income on blockchain assets. As more protocols transition to PoS consensus mechanisms, demand for reliable, custodial‑grade staking services is rising. Chorus One’s track record of serving institutional clients positions it well to meet compliance and security standards that traditional asset managers require.
The acquisition also arrives at a time when the crypto ETF market is maturing. Bitwise already manages over $15 billion across 40 products, including the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) and a suite of single‑asset ETFs covering XRP, Chainlink and Dogecoin. Adding a dedicated staking infrastructure could accelerate the launch of additional token‑specific staking funds or “yield‑plus‑exposure” hybrids.
Potential Risks
- Integration Complexity – Merging two technical teams and aligning operational processes across dozens of blockchains may encounter unforeseen challenges.
- Regulatory Scrutiny – While the SEC appears supportive, any new product that bundles staking rewards with securities could attract heightened oversight, especially concerning custody and investor protection.
- Market Volatility – Staking rewards are tied to the health of underlying networks; sudden protocol changes or slashing events could affect return projections and investor confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Broader Staking Reach: Bitwise now has the capacity to stake assets on more than 30 PoS networks, expanding its product development pipeline.
- Institutional‑Grade Infrastructure: Acquiring Chorus One gives Bitwise a proven, custodial‑level staking platform trusted by high‑net‑worth and institutional investors.
- Potential New ETFs: The move aligns with the SEC’s willingness to green‑light diversified crypto products, suggesting forthcoming staking‑focused ETFs or blended yield funds.
- Undisclosed Valuation: The financial terms remain private, leaving analysts to gauge the deal’s impact on Bitwise’s balance sheet based on the $2.2 billion of staked assets.
- Leadership Continuity: Chorus One’s chief executive will remain in an advisory role, helping to preserve the firm’s expertise during the transition.
Bitwise’s acquisition of Chorus One marks a significant step toward integrating on‑chain yield generation into its broader crypto investment platform, potentially reshaping how traditional investors access staking revenues within a regulated framework.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitwise-acquires-crypto-staking-provider-chorus-one?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
