Bitwise NEAR ETF Cleared to List, Will Stake All Its NEAR
NYSE Arca has approved the Bitwise NEAR ETF (ticker NRR). The fund will stake 100% of its NEAR, charge 0.75% a year and could start trading around 29 September.
The first US exchange-traded fund built around NEAR Protocol is close to launch. NYSE Arca has approved the listing of the Bitwise NEAR ETF, which will trade under the ticker NRR, and the fund's registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission has taken effect. Both steps were completed on 24 September 2026, and trading could start as early as 29 September.
Key takeaways
- Ticker NRR on NYSE Arca, with a 0.75% yearly management fee.
- The fund holds NEAR tokens directly and plans to stake all of them to earn extra yield.
- Coinbase Custody will hold the tokens; BNY Mellon handles cash and administration.
- NEAR jumped about 20% within a day of the news and was up about 26% over the following week.
- Indians cannot buy NRR on Indian exchanges; the only route is the LRS route through a global brokerage account.
What was approved
Two separate things happened on 24 September. First, NYSE Arca approved the application to list the fund's shares. Second, the SEC confirmed that the trust's registration statement is effective, through a Form 8-A filing. Together they clear the way for the fund to begin trading. The exchange approval is a listing decision: it does not mean the SEC has endorsed NEAR or judged the fund a good investment.
Bitwise set the trust up in Delaware in April 2025 and has updated its filing several times since. Initial seed capital was tiny, 8 shares at $25 each, with a planned seed basket of 20,000 shares worth $500,000 at launch.
Why staking matters here
NEAR is a proof-of-stake network: holders can lock their tokens with validators and earn new tokens as a reward. Most early US crypto ETFs could not stake. This one says it will stake 100% of its NEAR under normal conditions, so investors get the staking yield on top of any price change, minus fees.
That is a sign of how far US rules have moved in 2026. Staking inside ETFs was a sticking point for regulators until recently. A fund that stakes its entire position shows that issuers are now confident enough to build products around it.
There is a trade-off. Staked tokens can take time to unlock, so a fund facing heavy redemptions may need to hold some cash or use other arrangements. Bitwise's filing covers these liquidity risks, and anyone buying should read that section.
How NEAR has reacted
Traders moved ahead of the launch. NEAR rose roughly 20% in the 24 hours after the approval and extended that to about 26% over the following week. One NEAR is worth about ₹472.22 ($4.92) right now. Track it on our NEAR price page.
Moves like this often happen before an ETF launches, and some of the gain can fade once trading starts. The flows in the first few weeks will show whether US investors really want NEAR exposure, or whether the rally was mostly speculation on the news.
What it means for Indian investors
NRR will trade only on a US exchange. Indian crypto apps do not list US ETFs, and Indian stock brokers do not offer US crypto ETFs on NSE or BSE. The route for residents is the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), through a global investing account. Tax on a US ETF is worked out as foreign shares, not under the 30% crypto rule. Our guide on investing in a Bitcoin ETF from India covers the same steps and tax treatment.
If you would rather hold NEAR directly, you can buy it on FIU-registered Indian exchanges. You then pay 30% tax on gains and 1% TDS on sales, and you handle staking yourself. Our staking guide explains how staking rewards are taxed in India.
FAQ
What is the ticker of the Bitwise NEAR ETF?
NRR, listed on NYSE Arca. Trading was expected to begin around 29 September 2026.
Does the Bitwise NEAR ETF pay staking rewards?
The fund plans to stake all of its NEAR. Rewards go into the fund and are reflected in its value, after the 0.75% fee and any staking costs.
Can I buy NRR from India?
Not through Indian exchanges or brokers. You would need an international brokerage account funded under LRS, and gains are taxed as foreign shares.
This article is AI-assisted, educational and general in nature. It is not financial advice and never a guarantee of profit. Every trade is at your own risk on your own exchange. See our risk disclosure and editorial policy.
