The Bitwise NEAR ETF (NRR) Launches as First Spot NEAR ETP in the U.S., Providing Investors Exposure to the Future of AI Money

Bitwise Asset Management, the global crypto asset manager with $9 billion in client assets (as of June 30, 2026), today announced the launch of the Bitwise NEAR ETF (NYSE: NRR). The fund is designed to provide investors with spot exposure to NEAR, a leading blockchain infrastructure powering the emerging AI economy. Bitwise intends to stake the Fund’s NEAR tokens in-house, aiming to maximize participation in NEAR’s average staking rewards of ~5%.¹

NRR is not suitable for all investors. An investment in NRR is subject to a high degree of risk, has the potential for significant volatility, and could result in significant or complete loss of investment. NRR is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and is not subject to the same protections as Mutual Funds or ETFs registered under the "1940 Act". An investment in NRR is not the same as a direct investment in NEAR. Please see additional risks and important information below.

“NEAR sits at the intersection of two of the biggest trends in technology: AI and crypto,” said Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer of Bitwise. “As AI agents start transacting on our behalf—booking, paying, swapping, and more—the world is going to need settlement infrastructure that's fast, trustworthy, and doesn't depend on a single custodian. NEAR’s flagship product, NEAR Intents, is already showing what that looks like in practice, and we think NRR gives investors a straightforward way to get exposure to that build-out before it goes mainstream.”

Among NEAR's most notable characteristics:

“NEAR is the vertically integrated stack for the AI + blockchain future: AI is the front end, blockchain is the back end,” said Illia Polosukhin, Co-founder of NEAR Protocol. “Private and verifiable AI, blockchain-based security, and universal liquidity via Intents are working together to power the agent economy. The Bitwise NEAR ETF offers a broader base of U.S. investors the opportunity to invest in this vision.”

“AI is fundamentally changing how we access information and how economic activity happens,” said Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise. “We’re moving toward a world in which AI agents increasingly act on our behalf, coordinate with one another, and participate in the economy. We believe this shift—to an agentic economy where more and more happens through AI agents—could unlock an enormous new frontier for the global economy. NEAR is building a platform for that future.”

The launch of NRR expands Bitwise's NEAR franchise from Europe—where its BaFin-approved staking ETP already trades—into the U.S. It joins a growing lineup of single-asset crypto ETPs from Bitwise, including the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), Bitwise Solana ETF (BSOL), Bitwise XRP ETF (XRP), and Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF (BHYP).

Fund details. The Bitwise NEAR ETF will trade on NYSE Arca starting on September 29, 2026, with the ticker NRR. The management fee will be 0.75%. The Fund offers investors exposure not only to NEAR's potential price appreciation but also to staking rewards. In blockchain networks like NEAR, staking refers to the process of helping to secure the network and validate transactions; in return, participants earn rewards. Bitwise intends to stake the Fund's NEAR in-house through Bitwise's institutional staking team, aiming to maximize investors' participation in staking rewards.

Notes:

(*) Source: McKinsey, “The automation curve in agentic commerce,” January 28, 2026.

(1) NEAR staking reward rate based on the annualized current rate as of September 25, 2026, with data from official NEAR Protocol onchain metrics. Staking Reward Rate does not represent performance of the Trust and is not indicative of any Trust performance. Staking rewards are earned by the Trust and accrue to shareholders as an increase in the Trust’s Net Asset Value (NAV) per share. Rewards are not guaranteed and are subject to change. The tax treatment of rewards earned by the Trust may have potentially adverse consequences for shareholders. Please consult with your tax advisor.