Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund

Current report

Risks Associated with Digital Assets

Current report

The trading prices of many digital assets, including bitcoin, have experienced extreme volatility in recent periods and may continue to do so. Extreme volatility in the future, including further declines in the trading price of bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value.

Current report

The trading prices of many digital assets, including bitcoin, have experienced extreme volatility in recent periods and may continue to do so. For instance, there were steep increases in the value of certain digital assets, including bitcoin, over the course of 2017, followed by steep drawdowns throughout 2018 in digital asset trading prices, including for bitcoin. These drawdowns notwithstanding, digital asset prices, including bitcoin, increased significantly again during 2019, decreased significantly again in the first quarter of 2020 amidst broader market declines as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and increased significantly again over the remainder of 2020 and the first half of 2021. Digital asset prices, including bitcoin, continued to experience significant and sudden changes throughout 2021 followed by steep drawdowns in the third quarter of 2021, as well as throughout 2022. Since then, digital asset prices have continued to fluctuate through 2023, 2024, and early 2025. In October 2025, the crypto markets experienced a sudden flash crash in which automated liquidations reportedly exceeded $19 billion within about 24 hours and total market capitalization fell by roughly 14 percent over several days. The full impact of that event may not yet be fully reflected in the crypto asset ecosystem.

Current report

Extreme volatility in the future, including further declines in the trading price of bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. Furthermore, negative perceptions, a lack of stability, and the absence of standardized regulation in the digital asset economy may reduce confidence in the digital asset economy and may lead to greater volatility in the price of bitcoin and other digital assets, including a depreciation in value. The Trust is not actively managed and will not take any actions to take advantage, or mitigate the impacts, of volatility in the price of bitcoin.

Current report

Risks Related to Trust Investment

Current report

The Trust's success depends heavily on the Sponsor, whose limited staffing, potential discontinuance, and conflicts of interest could adversely impact the Trust's management, stability, and the value of the Shares.

Current report

The Trust relies heavily on the expertise and contributions of the executive officers and other key personnel of the Sponsor and Bitwise, including Hunter Horsley, Teddy Fusaro, Matthew Hougan, and Hong Kim. These individuals are critical to managing the Trust’s business, operations, and investment strategy. The loss of any of these individuals would be difficult to replace and could involve significant time and expense, potentially delaying or preventing the achievement of the Trust’s objectives. Moreover, the Sponsor and Bitwise do not maintain key man life insurance policies on these executives, which could exacerbate the negative impact of their absence.

Current report

Additionally, Shareholders cannot be assured that the Sponsor will be willing or able to continue to serve as sponsor to the Trust for any length of time. If the Sponsor discontinues its activities on behalf of the Trust and a substitute sponsor is not appointed, the Trust will terminate and liquidate its Portfolio Crypto Assets. Even if a substitute sponsor is appointed, there is no guarantee that it will have the requisite experience, knowledge, or expertise to ensure the Trust’s successful operation or its continued viability. The appointment of a substitute sponsor may not necessarily be beneficial to the Trust and could still result in its termination.

Current report

Furthermore, the Sponsor manages the Trust’s affairs with significant discretion under the Trust Agreement, which may create conflicts of interest between the Sponsor, its affiliates, and the Trust or its Shareholders. The Sponsor and its affiliates, including the Index Provider, the Committee selected by the Index Provider, and authorized participants, have no fiduciary duties to the Trust or its Shareholders beyond those explicitly outlined in the Trust Agreement. This may allow the Sponsor to prioritize its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the Trust and its Shareholders. These potential conflicts include, among others, the following:

Current report

Sponsor Discretion and Limited Fiduciary Duties: The Sponsor may consider the interests of parties other than the Trust and its Shareholders when resolving conflicts, provided it does not act in bad faith. The Trust has also agreed to indemnify the Sponsor and its affiliates pursuant to the Trust Agreement, and amendments to the Trust Agreement that do not materially adversely affect Shareholders may be made without their consent. Additionally, Shareholders holding a majority of outstanding Shares may approve other amendments, potentially impacting minority Shareholders.

Current report

External Activities and Competing Priorities: The Sponsor, its officers, directors, employees, and affiliates, as well as members of related committees, engage in various external activities, including managing unaffiliated funds and serving in advisory or board roles. These roles may involve advising on Crypto Assets that overlap with the Trust’s holdings, potentially creating competing interests. The Sponsor is responsible for allocating its own limited resources among the Trust and different clients and potential future business ventures, and its personnel are not required to devote all their time to the Trust’s operations. These competing priorities could adversely affect the Trust’s performance.

Current report

Trading and Investment Conflicts: The Sponsor and its affiliates may engage in proprietary trading or maintain positions in Crypto Assets held by the Trust. Such activities could influence Crypto Asset prices or availability, impacting the Trust’s financial returns. Differing investment strategies or trading timelines may result in positions taken by the Sponsor or its affiliates that conflict with those of the Trust.

Current report

Future Investment Vehicles and Master-Feeder Structures: The Sponsor may form additional trusts or investment vehicles with similar or related objectives to the Trust. If these vehicles invest alongside the Trust or employ a master-feeder structure, conflicts may arise regarding tax considerations, investment structuring, and allocation of opportunities. In allocating opportunities, the Sponsor may prioritize other vehicles due to higher fees or other financial incentives, though it is required to act in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties.

Current report

By purchasing the Shares, Shareholders agree and consent to the provisions set forth in the Trust Agreement, including the Sponsor’s discretion in managing conflicts. While the Sponsor seeks to allocate investment opportunities fairly, these inherent conflicts of interest could adversely affect the Trust’s operations and returns.

Previous report

Risks Related to Regulatory and Compliance

Previous report

As the Crypto Asset ecosystem has expanded, it has attracted increasing regulatory attention from U.S. regulators, and evolving regulatory frameworks may impact the Portfolio Crypto Assets’ classification and treatment. These developments could significantly influence the Trust’s compliance requirements, valuation strategies, result in Extraordinary Expenses, and substantially impact the value of the Shares.

Previous report

The regulatory landscape for Crypto Assets in the United States is complex and evolving, with multiple federal and state agencies actively overseeing various aspects of their use, trading, and compliance obligations. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the SEC, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and various state financial regulators and state Attorneys General.

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The jurisdiction of federal and state regulators over Crypto Assets depends on their classification. Crypto Assets may be deemed “securities,” “commodities,” “virtual currencies,” or another asset type. Each classification can trigger different regulatory frameworks and oversight responsibilities. For example, a Crypto Asset like Ether could be classified by the SEC as a “security” under U.S. federal securities laws, depending on its use and the circumstances surrounding specific transactions. Ether may also be classified by the CFTC as a “commodity interest” under the Commodity Exchange Act, or by state regulators as a form of virtual currency subject to state money transmission laws. Although U.S. courts have ruled in some circumstances that Bitcoin is a commodity and acknowledged the CFTC’s position that Ether should be considered a commodity, no comprehensive federal court ruling conclusively establishes that Bitcoin, Ether, or any other Crypto Asset, is a security, commodity, or other form of asset under all circumstances.

Previous report

In recent years, the SEC has increased enforcement actions and investigations in the crypto sector, targeting entities it deems in violation of securities laws. This includes actions against platforms such as Kraken for offering unregistered securities and Staking services, as well as ongoing investigations into Coinbase, Ripple, Binance and ConsenSys for activities involving various Crypto Assets and services. The SEC also proposed or adopted several rules last year that could significantly impact the Crypto Asset industry. These included amendments to the Exchange Act’s definition of “dealer,” which could negatively affect numerous digital asset trading platforms, and certain DeFi platforms in particular, and proposed amendments to the SEC Custody Rule under the Advisers Act, which would make it more difficult for asset managers to custody Crypto Assets. The SEC also raised concerns about compliance and market oversight of Crypto Assets, and emphasized retail investor protection and market integrity as key priorities, with its Division of Examinations identifying Crypto Assets as a focus for 2025. These regulatory actions and heightened scrutiny extend to emerging areas such as DeFi protocols and NFTs creating additional legal challenges and market uncertainty.

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However, recent SEC developments indicate possible shifts in its regulatory approach, although the SEC’s long-term direction remains uncertain. The SEC approved multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs for the first time in January 2024 followed by the approval of multiple spot Ethereum ETFs in July 2024, including the Bitwise trusts holding Bitcoin and Ether. These approvals suggest that both Bitcoin and Ethereum may be commodities. More recently the SEC and its staff: (i) withdrew Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, eliminating the requirement for companies to recognize a liability and corresponding asset for safeguarding digital assets; (ii) formed a new Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce aimed at providing greater regulatory clarity to the digital asset industry; (iii) held a series of public roundtables between April and June 2025 through the Crypto Task Force, specifically addressing crypto trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance, reflecting intensified efforts to engage stakeholders and clarify regulatory expectations across these critical market segments; (iv) indicated a strategic shift away from regulation-by-enforcement toward explicit rulemaking tailored specifically for digital assets; (v) released additional targeted written guidance addressing various digital asset topics, including a staff statement clarifying that certain stablecoins may not constitute securities, guidance related to meme coins, a statement on proof-of-work mining activities, interpretations on protocol staking arrangements, and FAQs related to broker-dealer custody of digital assets; and (vi) released guidance on crypto-related disclosures for securities and exchange-traded product registrations. That said, any permanent regulatory shift remains uncertain at this time, and there is no assurance a more favorable U.S.

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regulatory environment will emerge at the federal or state levels. Any adverse regulatory developments or enforcement actions could negatively impact the value of these assets and related products, including the Trust.

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The SEC has also regularly stated that certain Crypto Assets may be considered “securities” under federal securities laws, and this classification can have significant implications for Crypto Assets, including certain Portfolio Crypto Assets. The legal test for determining whether any given Crypto Asset, product, or service is an investment contract security was set forth in the 1946 Supreme Court case SEC v. W.J. Howey Co., and whether any given Crypto Asset, product, or service is a note, is discussed in the 1990 Supreme Court case Reves v. Ernst & Young. Determining whether any given Crypto Asset, product, or service is a security requires a highly complex, fact-driven analysis. Accordingly, whether any given Crypto Asset, product or service would be ultimately deemed by a federal court to be a security is uncertain and difficult to predict notwithstanding the conclusions of the SEC or any conclusions we may draw regarding the likelihood that a particular Crypto Asset, product or service could be deemed a “security” or “securities offering” under applicable laws. Certain statements by SEC officials have suggested that Bitcoin does not meet the criteria of an investment contract under the federal securities laws. Former SEC Director William Hinman also stated in 2018 that Ether, in its decentralized form at the time, did not meet these criteria; but former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler suggested that Ether might be a security as recently as last year. None of these statements are comprehensive or binding, and the SEC continues to scrutinize aspects of the Crypto Asset space, including Bitcoin, Ether.

Previous report

If any Portfolio Crypto Asset was definitively classified as a “security” under federal or state securities laws by the SEC or any other U.S. authority, or in a proceeding in a court of law or otherwise, it may have material adverse consequences for the Portfolio Crypto Assets and the broader Crypto Asset market. For example, it may become more difficult for the Portfolio Crypto Assets to be traded, cleared and custodied as compared to other Crypto Assets that are not considered to be securities, which could in turn negatively affect the liquidity and general acceptance of the Portfolio Crypto Assets and cause users to migrate to other Crypto Assets.

Previous report

On December 22, 2020, the SEC instituted proceedings to enjoin Ripple Labs Inc., the creator of XRP, on the basis that the offer and sale of XRP was an unregistered, ongoing offering of securities in violation of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act. On December 23, 2020, the Trust made a decision to liquidate its position in XRP based on consideration of new public information from the SEC’s complaint. The Trust immediately reinvested the proceeds from the liquidated position in other Portfolio Crypto Assets, primarily Bitcoin and Ethereum, but subsequently re-invested in XRP. The SEC case against Ripple Labs Inc. remains ongoing. In July 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that institutional sales of XRP violated federal securities laws, while programmatic sales on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. In August 2024, the court ordered Ripple to pay a $125 million civil penalty. The SEC has since appealed the court's ruling on programmatic sales, seeking clarity on XRP's regulatory status in secondary market transactions, with the appeal currently pending before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In a June 2023 action against Coinbase, Inc., the SEC alleged, among other things, that the Portfolio Crypto Assets Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA), constituted unregistered securities. Coinbase has vigorously contested the claims against it, and the case remains ongoing.

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Further, if any other Crypto Asset with widespread markets is determined to be a “security,” it could also have material adverse consequences for the Portfolio Crypto Assets as Crypto Assets due to negative publicity or a decline in the general acceptance of Crypto Assets. In addition, trading platforms that feature Crypto Assets that are determined to be securities may face penalties or be required to shut down if they do not have the licenses required to facilitate electronic securities markets, which could result in a reduction of the liquidity of the Portfolio Crypto Asset markets. For example, the SEC’s increased enforcement activity over the last few years have highlighted the potential for stricter regulation across the broader Crypto Asset industry, which could exacerbate negative market reactions. As such, any determination that a Portfolio Crypto Asset, or any other Crypto Asset with widespread market presence, is a security under federal or state securities laws may adversely affect the value of the Portfolio Crypto Assets and, as a result, the value of the Shares.

Previous report

To the extent that any Portfolio Crypto Asset is deemed to fall within the definition of a security under U.S. federal securities laws, the Trust and the Sponsor may be subject to additional requirements under the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act, and may also be required to register as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Such additional registration may result in Extraordinary Expenses to the Trust, thereby materially and adversely impacting the Shares. Compliance could also necessitate fundamental changes to the Trust’s structure or operations, potentially making its current investment strategy unfeasible. If the Sponsor and/or the Trust determines to comply with such additional regulatory and registration requirements, the Sponsor may decide to terminate the Trust. Any such termination could result in the liquidation of the Trust’s holdings in the Portfolio Crypto Assets, which could occur at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders, leading to potential financial losses.

Previous report

In addition, the CFTC has asserted regulatory jurisdiction over both Bitcoin and Ether futures markets, having classified these Crypto Assets as “commodities” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). This designation would grant the CFTC authority to prosecute fraud and manipulation in the cash, or spot, markets for Bitcoin and Ether; however, its oversight of these spot markets is generally limited unless transactions involve leverage, collateral, or financing. The National Futures Association ("NFA") serves as the self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry, including Bitcoin and Ether futures, but does not oversee their respective spot markets. Recent enforcement actions by the CFTC underscore its heightened scrutiny of Crypto Asset markets. In 2023, the CFTC launched multiple actions against crypto firms—targeting high-profile entities and executives such as FTX, Binance, and Coinbase—for violations including illegal off-exchange commodity trading and inadequate anti-money laundering controls.

Previous report

To the extent that any Portfolio Crypto Asset is deemed to fall within the definition of a “commodity interest” under the CEA, the Trust and the Sponsor may be subject to additional regulation under the CEA and CFTC regulations. These requirements may result in Extraordinary Expenses to the Trust, which could materially and adversely impact the Shares. If the Sponsor and/or the Trust determines not to comply with such regulatory requirements, the Sponsor may terminate the Trust, the Trust may face termination, resulting in the forced liquidation of its Portfolio Crypto Asset holdings, which could occur at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders, leading to potential financial losses. Moreover, the growing scope of the CFTC’s regulatory authority over Crypto Assets, combined with potential regulatory overlap with the SEC, may create additional uncertainty and compliance costs. These developments could reduce the liquidity of Portfolio Crypto Asset markets and create negative publicity, leading to decreased demand and ultimately a decline in the value of the Shares.

Previous report

Regulatory changes or actions by federal or state executives or legislators may affect the value of the Shares or restrict the use of one or more Crypto Assets, Validating or Mining activity or the operation of their networks or the Crypto Asset markets in a manner that adversely affects the value of the Shares.

Previous report

Uncertainty about the jurisdiction over Crypto Assets by federal and state authorities has resulted in calls for comprehensive Crypto Asset legislation, and the expansion of the Crypto Asset market, along with significant industry developments in recent years, has led to increased scrutiny by consecutive U.S. Presidents and the U.S. Congress.

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On January 23, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14178, titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” which revoked President Biden’s March 2022 Executive Order 14067, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets.” Among other things, Trump’s order establishes the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, tasked with proposing a federal regulatory framework for digital assets within 180 days. This working group is directed to focus on fostering innovation, reducing regulatory burdens, and ensuring U.S. competitiveness in global digital financial markets.

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Trump’s executive order follows ongoing legislative efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. On May 22, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (“Fit21”), advancing efforts to establish a federal framework for digital assets. Fit21 seeks to clarify the SEC’s and CFTC’s jurisdiction, granting the CFTC primary oversight of digital commodities while preserving the SEC’s authority over securities. Alongside Fit21, other proposals aim to refine digital asset classifications, disclosure requirements, and tax treatment. In June and July 2025, significant new legislation emerged, including the passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (“GENIUS Act”), signed into law by President Trump on July 18, 2025, which requires stablecoins to be fully backed by U.S. dollars or approved low-risk assets, subjecting them to federal and state regulation. Additionally, the House passed the Digital Asset Market Structure and Investor Protection Act (“CLARITY Act”) on June 23, 2025, further clarifying regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC and introducing a provisional registration system for digital asset exchanges, though this bill remains pending in the Senate. The House also advanced the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, aimed at prohibiting the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, currently awaiting Senate action. However, the future of pending regulatory efforts, and how regulatory authority may be divided among regulators, remains uncertain.

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Traditional financial services competitors also have long-established relationships with policymakers and have cultivated lobbying efforts to advance their interests. While members of the cryptocurrency industry have begun engaging with policymakers and external advisors to advocate for balanced regulation, the relative infancy of these efforts compared to other industries leaves the cryptocurrency industry vulnerable to unfavorable regulatory outcomes. New laws, regulations, or interpretations of existing regulations may emerge in the United States and internationally that are detrimental to Crypto Asset platforms, potentially disrupting our business operations, financial performance, or growth opportunities. Furthermore, political and advocacy activities from the Trust and the Sponsor aimed at influencing the regulatory environment may attract negative perceptions from investors and the public. Such perceptions could harm the Trust’s reputation and its overall market position, compounding the challenges posed by an increasingly complex and uncertain regulatory landscape.

Previous report

It is difficult to predict whether, or when, any of these developments will lead to Congress granting additional authorities to the SEC or other regulators, what the nature of such additional authorities might be, how additional legislation and/or regulatory oversight might impact the ability of Crypto Asset markets to function or how any new regulations or changes to existing regulations might impact the value of Crypto Assets generally and those held by the Trust specifically. As discussed above, any change in classification of a Portfolio Crypto Asset may require substantial compliance steps resulting in Extraordinary Expenses to the Trust. If these developments significantly alter the regulatory landscape, the Sponsor may choose to terminate the Trust, potentially leading to liquidation at a time that could be disadvantageous for Shareholders and adversely impact the value of the Shares.