The race for the first U.S. Avalanche fund just intensified dramatically. The Bitwise Avalanche ETF has filed an amended proposal with regulators. This updated submission introduces a potentially revolutionary feature for American investors. Consequently, the structure now includes a built-in staking mechanism for yield generation. This bold move directly tests current regulatory boundaries for cryptocurrency funds.
The amended S-1 filing details the new BAVA ticker for the proposed investment vehicle. Moreover, it outlines a framework allowing up to 70% staking of its AVAX holdings. This approach aims to generate rewards from the Avalanche proof-of-stake network. The issuer plans to deduct a 12% fee from all staking rewards earned. Shareholders will directly receive the remaining generated yield from this process.
This initiative becomes the first to propose Locking inside a spot digital asset fund. This strategic move follows recent clarifying guidance from the IRS. The tax agency confirmed that staking rewards avoid adverse tax consequences. Hence, the financial firm moved forward with its innovative yield-generating structure. This development marks a significant shift in American crypto investment design philosophy.
The proposed product also undercuts competing offerings on sponsor fees. The application sets the BAVA sponsor fee at a competitive 0.34%. This pricing is significantly lower than rival proposals from other major institutions. Additionally, the company offers a complete fee waiver for the initial month. This waiver applies to the first five hundred million dollars in total assets. Consequently, the fund positions itself as the most economical Avalanche investment route available.
The updated document enhances several crucial operational areas. The custody arrangement involves Coinbase Custody Trust Company for secure storage. The proposal also adds a dedicated liquidity reserve for additional stability. Furthermore, it includes expanded risk disclosures covering emerging technological threats. These comprehensive measures align with updated regulatory expectations for digital asset products.

Source:SEC
The investment company confirmed the proposed fund will track the CME CF Avalanche-Dollar Reference Rate. This established benchmark provides regulated and reliable pricing for AVAX. The sponsor committed to seeding the offering with two and a half million dollars. This initial purchase involves one hundred thousand shares for proper market creation. The overall architecture mirrors other cryptocurrency investment proposals from the same firm.
All major issuers now target the first quarter of 2026 for final regulatory decisions. The approved fund will list on the NYSE Arca exchange following successful registration. Its primary competitors from other financial firms are targeting the NASDAQ instead. This situation creates a highly competitive landscape for Avalanche investment products. The innovative staking inclusion could become a defining differentiator for BAVA.
Global financial markets already permit staking features within regulated crypto products. Major jurisdictions like Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong host such exchange-traded funds. The United States remains a regulatory outlier in this specific financial area. The entire digital currency industry watches this regulatory development with great anticipation
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