Bitwise Launches First Spot NEAR ETF on NYSE Arca Under Ticker NRR

Bitwise Asset Management has officially launched the first U.S. spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) for NEAR Protocol, which began trading on NYSE Arca on September 29, 2026, under the ticker NRR. This marks a significant addition to the growing array of crypto assets accessible through traditional brokerage accounts.

The NEAR ETF not only holds NEAR tokens but also plans to stake 100% of its holdings, allowing investors to benefit from both price appreciation and staking rewards. The fund charges an annual management fee of 0.75%, with Coinbase Custody responsible for the safekeeping of the actual NEAR tokens, while BNY Mellon manages cash operations.

Bitwise takes a 33% cut of the additional NEAR generated through staking to cover related expenses, with the remaining 67% of staking rewards returning to the fund and its shareholders. The fund's initial formation involved a modest $200 for 8 shares priced at $25 each, followed by a substantial $500,000 seed basket from an affiliate.

The regulatory journey for the Bitwise NEAR ETF began over a year ago, with the underlying Delaware statutory trust organized in April 2025. Key regulatory approvals were secured on September 24, 2026, when NYSE Arca approved the listing and the SEC confirmed the effectiveness of Bitwise’s registration statement.

The market responded positively to the ETF's launch, with NEAR token prices rising toward or above $5 following the regulatory green light. The 0.75% fee is particularly appealing for investors who prefer a simplified approach to crypto investment, as it alleviates the need to navigate wallets, exchanges, and staking mechanics.

Bitwise already offers spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ether, and the NEAR fund expands its offerings into the layer-1 blockchain space, targeting a protocol increasingly relevant to AI-driven applications. NEAR's infrastructure is positioned to support autonomous agents in executing transactions, making it a key player in the evolving landscape of technology.