Introducing the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB)
Bitwise Asset Management has recently launched a new investment product called the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB). This ETF is designed to provide exposure to companies that hold significant reserves of Bitcoin.
The Rationale Behind Corporate Bitcoin Holdings
In a statement released on March 11, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan explained the reasoning behind corporate Bitcoin holdings. He highlighted the fact that many businesses have trillions of dollars in cash reserves while the US government is running an annual deficit exceeding $2 trillion. As a result, companies are increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset that is liquid, scarce, and independent of government monetary policies.
“Companies perceive bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset that’s liquid and scarce—and not subject to the whims or money printing of any government. We think companies are only getting started here, and this ETF gives investors exposure to innovative firms at the forefront of this trend.”
About OWNB
According to the statement, companies must hold a minimum of 1,000 BTC to qualify for inclusion in the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations Index. The index weights holdings based on Bitcoin ownership while ensuring diversification. At rebalancing, no single company can account for more than 20% of the index.
At launch, Strategy held the largest index share at 20.87%, followed by MARA Holdings at 12.12%. CleanSpark and Riot Platforms, both focused on energy-efficient Bitcoin mining, represented 6.26% and 6.23%, respectively. Asian-based firms like China’s Boyaa Interactive and Japan’s Metaplanet also made the list with exposures of 5.75% and 5.25%, respectively.
Aker ASA, a Norwegian industrial investment firm, accounted for 4.63% of the index, while Bitcoin mining operations Bitfarms and BitFuFu had 4.30% and 4.03% holdings. Galaxy Digital, a financial services company, rounded out the top holdings with 3.99%.
Conclusion
The launch of the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB) provides investors with a unique opportunity to gain exposure to companies that are actively integrating Bitcoin into their corporate treasuries. With the increasing adoption of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset by businesses worldwide, this ETF is poised to capture the growth potential of this trend.
