What happened?
Bitwise filed an S-1 with the SEC to create an Aptos ETF, formalizing its earlier steps to register the trust in Delaware. The filing kicks off a review process that could take months, and Bitwise’s CEO said he’s excited about Aptos but can’t comment during the quiet period. After the filing, Aptos’s price jumped from about $4.63 to $5.65 and trading volume hit a three‑month high.
Who does this affect?
Retail traders, institutional investors, and fund managers who want regulated access to Aptos are the most directly affected. Aptos Labs and its ecosystem could benefit from more attention now that BlackRock’s BUIDL includes Aptos and the Aptos CEO has a CFTC advisory role. European investors already have exposure via a SIX‑listed product, but a U.S. ETF would open domestic entry for many more investors.
Why does this matter?
If approved, a U.S. Aptos ETF would likely pull fresh capital into the token, boosting liquidity, price, and mainstream investor access. That could help position Aptos as a stronger Layer‑1 competitor given its high transaction throughput and growing stablecoin activity, and attract more institutional strategies. At the same time, ETF flows can increase volatility and invite sharper regulatory scrutiny, so markets could see big moves in both directions.