11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 15:57
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Trust's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust's unaudited financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions the Trust believes to be reasonable. The Trust's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" above.
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the Federal securities laws, the Trust and the Sponsor undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or the risks, uncertainties or other factors described in this Quarterly Report, as a result of new information, future events or changed circumstances or for any other reason after the date of this Quarterly Report.
Trust Overview
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust formed on August 29, 2019. The Trust continuously issues common shares ("Shares"), representing units of undivided beneficial ownership of the Trust. The Shares are listed on the NYSE Arca Inc. (the "Exchange") under the ticker symbol "BITB." The Trust's commencement of operations was January 10, 2024. The Trust is sponsored and managed by Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC (the "Sponsor").
The Trust's investment objective is to seek to provide shareholders of the Trust ("Shareholders") with exposure to the value of bitcoin held by the Trust that is reflective of the actual bitcoin market in which investors can purchase or sell bitcoin, less the expenses of the Trust's operations and other liabilities. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Trust holds bitcoin and establishes its net asset value ("NAV") by reference to the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant ("BRRNY"). The BRRNY was designed to provide a daily, 4:00 p.m. ET reference rate of the U.S. dollar price of one bitcoin and is calculated by CF Benchmarks Ltd. (the "Benchmark Provider") based on an aggregation of executed trade flow of major bitcoin trading platforms ("Constituent Platforms").
The Shares may trade at a premium over, or a discount to, the NAV per-share as a result of price volatility, trading volume and closings of the exchanges on which the Sponsor purchases bitcoin on behalf of the Trust due to fraud, failure, security breaches or otherwise, and the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares are related, but not identical, to the supply and demand forces influencing the market price of bitcoin. As a result of the foregoing, the price of the Shares as quoted on the Exchange has varied from the value of the Trust's NAV per-share since the Shares were approved for quotation on January 11, 2024.
The following charts show the percentage of Premium/(Discount) of the Shares as quoted on the Exchange and the Trust's NAV and a comparison of the NAV of the Trust vs the market price as quoted on the Exchange for the period from January 2024 to September 2025.
From January 11, 2024 to September 30, 2025, the Shares of the Trust traded at an average discount, based on closing prices at 4:00 p.m. ET, and an estimated, unaudited, NAV per-share of 0.02%. During that same period, the highest premium was 1.38% on December 24, 2024, and the lowest premium was 0.001% on February 10, 2025. During that same period, the highest discount was 1.79% on May 1, 2024, and the lowest discount was 0.0003% on July 10, 2025.
The following chart shows the price of bitcoin for the period December 31, 2022 through September 30, 2025, as quoted by the Benchmark Provider, using the BRRNY.
Results of Operations
Financial Information for the Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 2025 and the Period from January 10, 2024 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2024^
The following table sets forth statements of operations data for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and three months ended September 30, 2024 and the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024.
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
|
Three months ended September 30, 2025 |
Three months ended September 30, 2024 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2025 |
For the period |
||||||||||||||
|
(unaudited) |
(unaudited) |
(unaudited) |
(unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
|
Investment income |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Investment income |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
|||||||||
|
Expenses |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Sponsor Fee |
2,342 |
1,170 |
6,090 |
2,848 |
|||||||||||||
|
Total Expenses |
2,342 |
1,170 |
6,090 |
2,848 |
|||||||||||||
|
Less: Waivers and Reimbursement |
- |
(55 |
) |
- |
(906 |
) |
|||||||||||
|
Net Expenses |
2,342 |
1,115 |
6,090 |
1,942 |
|||||||||||||
|
Net investment loss |
(2,342 |
) |
(1,115 |
) |
(6,090 |
) |
(1,942 |
) |
|||||||||
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investment in bitcoin transferred to pay Sponsor Fee |
1,458 |
359 |
3,641 |
593 |
|||||||||||||
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investment in bitcoin sold for redemptions |
(7,530 |
) |
(49,002 |
) |
37,591 |
(73,204 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in bitcoin |
263,696 |
183,925 |
727,797 |
434,346 |
|||||||||||||
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
257,624 |
135,282 |
769,029 |
361,735 |
|||||||||||||
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
$ |
255,282 |
$ |
134,167 |
$ |
762,939 |
$ |
359,793 |
|||||||||
Comparison of the Three-Month Period ended September 30, 2025 and 2024
The following provides a discussion of the material items that impacted the Trust's financial condition during the applicable period:
Sponsor Fee
The Trust pays a unitary Sponsor Fee of 0.20% per annum of the Trust's bitcoin holdings. The Sponsor contractually waived the Sponsor Fee on the first $1 billion of the Trust assets through July 10, 2024, and has been accruing at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Trust's net assets since then. The Sponsor Fee for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $2,342, compared to the Sponsor Fee for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of approximately $1,170, of which $55 was contractually waived, resulting in a net Sponsor Fee of approximately $1,115. The increase in Sponsor Fee was primarily related to an increase in the Trust's net asset value due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin held by the Trust and the expiration of the Sponsor Fee waiver as of July 11, 2024.
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Bitcoin
Net realized gain on the sale of bitcoin to pay the Sponsor Fee for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $1,458, compared to net realized gain on the sale of bitcoin to pay the Sponsor Fee for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of approximately $359. This change was primarily due to the expiration of the Sponsor Fee waiver as of July 11, 2024 and an increase in the fair value of bitcoin sold or transferred by the Trust.
Net realized loss on investment in bitcoin sold for redemptions for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $7,530, compared to net realized loss on investment in bitcoin sold for redemptions for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of approximately $49,002. This change was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin sold by the Trust.
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Bitcoin
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investment in bitcoin for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $263,696, compared to net change in unrealized appreciation on investment in bitcoin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of approximately $183,925. This change was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin held by the Trust.
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets resulting from Operations
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $255,282, compared to net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of approximately $134,167. This change was primarily due to an increase in net realized gain and an increase in unrealized appreciation on investments in bitcoin, with a net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin of approximately $257,624, less the Sponsor Fee of $2,342, for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to a net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin of approximately $135,282 less the net Sponsor Fee of $1,115, for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) was primarily due to fluctuations in the bitcoin price during the respective period. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2025, the net realized and unrealized loss on investment in bitcoin was driven by bitcoin BRRNY price appreciation from $107,487.49 per bitcoin as of June 30, 2025 to $114,084.80 per bitcoin as of September 30, 2025. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, the net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin was driven by bitcoin BRRNY price appreciation from $60,330.17 per bitcoin as of June 30, 2024 to $63,410.65 per bitcoin as of September 30, 2024.
Comparison of the Nine-Month Period ended September 30, 2025 and the Period from January 10, 2024 (Commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024
The following provides a discussion of the material items that impacted the Trust's financial condition during the applicable period:
Sponsor Fee
The Trust pays a unitary Sponsor Fee of 0.20% per annum of the Trust's bitcoin holdings. The Sponsor contractually waived the Sponsor Fee on the first $1 billion of the Trust assets through July 10, 2024, and has been accruing at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Trust's net assets since then. The Sponsor Fee for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $6,090, compared to the Sponsor Fee for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024 of approximately $2,848, of which $906 was contractually waived, resulting in a net Sponsor Fee of approximately $1,942. The increase in Sponsor Fee was primarily related to an increase in the Trust's net asset value due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin held by the Trust and the expiration of the Sponsor Fee waiver as of July 11, 2024.
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Bitcoin
Net realized gain on the sale of bitcoin to pay the Sponsor Fee for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $3,641, compared to net realized gain on the sale of bitcoin to pay the Sponsor Fee for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024 of approximately $593. This change was primarily due to the expiration of the Sponsor Fee waiver as of July 11, 2024 and an increase in the fair value of bitcoin sold or transferred by the Trust.
Net realized gain on investment in bitcoin sold for redemptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $37,591, compared to net realized loss on investment in bitcoin sold for redemptions for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024 of approximately $73,204. This change was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin sold by the Trust.
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Bitcoin
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investment in bitcoin for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $727,797, compared to net change in unrealized appreciation on investment in bitcoin for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024 of approximately $434,346. This change was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of bitcoin held by the Trust.
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets resulting from Operations
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was approximately $762,939, compared to net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024 of approximately $359,793. This change was primarily due to an increase in net realized gain and an increase in unrealized appreciation on investments in bitcoin, with a net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin of approximately $769,029, less the Sponsor Fee of $6,090, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to a net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin of approximately $361,735, less the Sponsor Fee of $1,942, for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024.
The change in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) was primarily due to fluctuations in the bitcoin price during the respective period. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025, the net realized and unrealized loss on investment in bitcoin was driven by bitcoin BRRNY price appreciation from $93,730.35 per bitcoin as of December 31, 2024 to $114,084.80 per bitcoin as of September 30, 2025. For the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024, the net realized and unrealized gain on investment in bitcoin was driven by bitcoin BRRNY price appreciation from $45,852.66 per bitcoin as of January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to $63,410.65 per bitcoin as of September 30, 2024.
^ Amounts displayed are in the '000s, except for per-share/coin references
Net Assets
As of September 30, 2025, the Trust held a net closing balance of 41,086.7391 bitcoin with a total market value of $4,687,372 based on the BRRNY price of $114,084.80 used to determine the Trust's NAV. The total market value of the Trust's bitcoin held was $4,700,405 based on the price of a bitcoin (Lukka Prime Rate) in the principal market (Crypto.com) of $114,401.99, used to determine the Trust's Principal Market NAV.
Net assets increased to approximately $4,699,649 at September 30, 2025, with a 22.32% increase in Principal Market NAV per-share for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. The increase in net assets primarily resulted from the aforementioned bitcoin price appreciation, the net increase in capital share transactions of approximately $174,671, and a net increase resulting from operations of $762,939.
As of September 30, 2024, the Trust held a net closing balance of 39,435.5408 bitcoin with a total market value of $2,500,633 based on the BRRNY price of $63,410.65 used to determine the Trust's NAV. The total market value of the Trust's bitcoin held was $2,502,767 based on the price of a bitcoin (Lukka Prime Rate) in the principal market (Coinbase) of $63,464.76, used to determine the Trust's Principal Market NAV.
Net assets increased to approximately $2,502,396 at September 30, 2024, with a 38.28% increase in Principal Market NAV per-share for the period from January 10, 2024 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2024. The increase in net assets primarily resulted from the aforementioned bitcoin price appreciation, the net increase in capital share transactions of approximately $2,142,603, and a net increase resulting from operations of $359,793.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Trust pays a unitary Sponsor Fee of 0.20% per annum of the Trust's bitcoin holdings. The Sponsor contractually waived the Sponsor Fee on the first $1 billion of the Trust assets through July 10, 2024, and has been accruing at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Trust's bitcoin holdings since then. As a result, the only ordinary expense of the Trust is expected to be the Sponsor Fee. In exchange for the Sponsor Fee, the Sponsor has agreed to assume and pay the normal operating expenses of the Trust, which include the Trustee's monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the fees of the Trust's regular service providers (Cash Custodian, Bitcoin Custodian, Prime Execution Agent, Marketing Agent, Transfer Agent and Administrator), exchange listing fees, tax reporting fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $500,000 per annum in ordinary legal fees and expenses. The Sponsor may determine in its sole discretion to assume legal fees and expenses of the Trust in excess of $500,000 per annum. The Sponsor also agreed to pay the costs of the Trust's organization.
The Trust may incur certain extraordinary, non-recurring expenses that are not assumed by the Sponsor, including but not limited to, taxes and governmental charges, any applicable brokerage commissions, financing fees, Bitcoin network fees and similar transaction fees, expenses and costs of any extraordinary services performed by the Sponsor (or any other service provider) on behalf of the Trust to protect the Trust or the Shareholders (including, for example, in connection with any fork of the Bitcoin blockchain, any Incidental Rights and any IR Asset), any indemnification of the Cash Custodian, Bitcoin Custodian, Prime Execution Agent, Transfer Agent, Administrator or other agents, service providers or counterparties of the Trust, and extraordinary legal fees and expenses, including any legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with litigation, regulatory enforcement or investigation matters.
The Trust does not hold a cash balance except in connection with the creation and redemption of Baskets (blocks of 10,000 Shares) or to pay expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. To pay for expenses not assumed by the Sponsor that are denominated in U.S. dollars, the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, may sell the Trust's bitcoin as necessary to pay such expenses. The cash proceeds of the sale are sent to the Sponsor to pay the expenses. Any remaining cash is distributed back to the Cash Custodian. The Sponsor expects that the Trust will have an immaterial amount of cash flow from its operations and that its cash balance will be insignificant at the end of each reporting period. The Trust's only sources of cash are proceeds from the sale of Baskets and bitcoin. The Trust will not borrow to meet liquidity needs.
The Trust is not aware of any trends, demands, conditions or events that are reasonably likely to result in material changes to its liquidity needs. While broader economic and market conditions, including evolving trade policies and tariffs, could impact the price of bitcoin and contribute to increased market volatility, the Trust does not currently anticipate these factors will materially affect its liquidity needs.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
As of September 30, 2025, the Trust has not used, nor does it expect to use in the future, special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have no loan guarantee arrangements or off-balance sheet arrangements of any kind other than agreements entered into in the normal course of business, which may include indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers undertake in performing services which are in the best interests of the Trust. While the Trust's exposure under such indemnification provisions cannot be estimated, these general business indemnifications are not expected to have a material impact on the Trust's financial position.
Sponsor Fee payments made to the Sponsor are calculated as a fixed percentage of the Trust's NAV. As such, the Sponsor cannot anticipate the payment amounts that will be required under these arrangements for future periods as NAVs are not known until a future date.
No material changes have occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Critical Accounting Policies
Principal Market and Fair Value Determination
The Trust's periodic financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC Topic 820") and utilize an exchange-traded price from the Trust's principal market for bitcoin on the Trust's financial statement measurement date. The Sponsor determines in its sole discretion the valuation sources and policies used to prepare the Trust's financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Trust has engaged a third-party vendor to obtain a price from a principal market for bitcoin, which will be either the market the Trust normally transacts in for bitcoin or, if the Trust does not normally transact in any market or such market suffers an operational interruption and is unavailable, determined and designated by such third-party vendor daily based on its consideration of several exchange characteristics, including oversight, and the volume and frequency of trades. Under U.S. GAAP, such a price is expected to be deemed a Level 1 input in accordance with the ASC Topic 820 because it is expected to be a quoted price in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Investment Company Considerations
The Trust is an investment company for U.S. GAAP purposes and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. The Trust uses fair value as its method of accounting for bitcoin in accordance with its classification as an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust is not a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and these differences could be material.
Please refer to Note 2 to the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of the Trust's Significant Accounting Policies.