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- Bitwise donated $233,000 from Bitcoin ETF profits to support Bitcoin developers.
- The firm has now contributed $383,000 since launching its ETF in 2024.
- Funds are distributed through Brink, OpenSats, and the Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund.
Crypto asset manager Bitwise has contributed another $233,000 to organizations supporting developers who maintain the Bitcoin network, bringing its total donations since 2024 to $383,000. The latest contribution reflects the firm’s pledge to direct 10% of gross profits from its Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) toward funding the engineers who help secure and improve the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
The donation highlights a growing effort within the crypto industry to financially support the open-source developers responsible for maintaining Bitcoin’s infrastructure—work that often happens behind the scenes.
Supporting Bitcoin’s “Unsung Heroes”
Bitwise announced the contribution on Wednesday, describing Bitcoin developers as the “unsung heroes” of the network. The funds will be distributed through three nonprofit organizations focused on Bitcoin development and education: Bitcoin Brink, OpenSats, and the Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund.
These organizations provide grants and financial backing to developers working on Bitcoin’s core software, security improvements, and ecosystem tools.
Bitwise originally committed to this funding model around the January 2024 launch of its Bitcoin ETF, promising to allocate a portion of ETF profits to support the network’s technical foundation. With the latest payout, the firm has now donated $383,000 in total, including $150,000 in February 2025 after the ETF’s first full year of operations.
The company said its contributions will continue to scale as the ETF grows.
BITB Profits and ETF Growth
The latest donation suggests Bitwise generated roughly $2.33 million in gross profits from the ETF during its second year. BITB generates revenue through a 0.2% management fee on assets under management.
Since launching alongside other spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024, BITB has attracted about $2.2 billion in inflows, according to data from Farside Investors. That places it third among U.S. Bitcoin ETFs, behind the dominant funds managed by BlackRock and Fidelity.
While the gap remains significant, BITB has maintained steady growth in a competitive ETF market.
Bitcoin ETF Market Faces Slower Inflows
The broader Bitcoin ETF sector has experienced slowing inflows in early 2026 as the cryptocurrency market undergoes a pullback. Many funds have seen reduced demand in recent weeks.
Despite that trend, BITB has shown resilience. Its total inflows rose slightly from $2.17 billion to $2.21 billion during the first nine weeks of 2026, suggesting continued investor interest even during periods of market uncertainty.
Also Read: Bitwise Confirms Chainlink ETF Launch Date — What It Means for LINK Price
Bitwise’s latest donation underscores a growing recognition that Bitcoin’s long-term success depends on the developers who maintain its codebase. By committing a portion of ETF profits to fund these efforts, the firm is linking the growth of traditional investment products directly to the sustainability of the underlying network.
As institutional capital continues flowing into Bitcoin through ETFs, initiatives like this may become an increasingly important way to support the open-source infrastructure powering the crypto ecosystem.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m your translator between the financial Old World and the new frontier of crypto. After a career demystifying economics and markets, I enjoy elucidating crypto – from investment risks to earth-shaking potential. Let’s explore!
