In a major support, Asset manager Bitwise Asset Management has donated $233,000 to support open-source developers working on the Bitcoin network. This marks its second annual contribution tied to its earned profits from the spot ETF product.
The funds come from revenues generated by the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB). The donations come as part of its earlier pledge to allocate 10% of the ETF’s gross profits each year toward strengthening Bitcoin’s development ecosystem.
According to Bitwise, the latest donation will be distributed across three nonprofit organizations that fund and support Bitcoin developers, These include OpenSats, Bitcoin Brink, and the Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund.
These organizations provide grants, fellowships, and direct financial support to developers maintaining Bitcoin’s open-source infrastructure, including work on protocol upgrades, security improvements, and research.
As part of our annual commitment to support Bitcoin open-source developers, Bitwise is proud to donate $233,000 to support the unsung heroes maintaining and securing the Bitcoin network.
This year marked significant growth for the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF ($BITB), making this… pic.twitter.com/wjEoLHDVsY
— Bitwise (@Bitwise) March 4, 2026
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Reinvesting ETF Growth Into Bitcoin’s Core Infrastructure
Bitwise said the contribution reflects the continued growth of its Bitcoin ETF and its broader commitment to reinvesting part of its success back into the ecosystem that underpins the asset.
The firm launched its spot Bitcoin ETF following the approval of several such products in the United States, which opened the door for institutional and retail investors to gain regulated exposure to Bitcoin through traditional markets.
“As $BITB continues to grow, so too will our contributions,” Bitwise said in a statement, adding that the donation aligns with its goal of being a long-term steward of the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Since launching in January 2024, the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) has grown to roughly $2.5B in assets, with average daily trading volumes exceeding 1M shares and a one-year return of more than 70%. As of early 2026, BITB manages roughly $2.6–$2.7 billion in assets under management (AUM) and holds close to 38,700 BTC in custody, offering investors direct exposure to the price movements of Bitcoin. The fund trades on NYSE Arca and typically records over 3 million shares in daily trading volume, reflecting consistent liquidity across trading sessions.
Funding the Developers Behind Bitcoin
While Bitcoin has grown into the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap, the network itself remains largely maintained by independent open-source developers.
Groups such as OpenSats and Bitcoin Brink have emerged as key funding hubs for these contributors., They have been providing grants and fellowships that enable developers to work full-time on improving the Bitcoin protocol and related infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund focuses on supporting developers working on tools that strengthen
Institutional Capital Meets Open-Source Development
Bitwise’s donation highlights a broader trend within the crypto industry, where institutional financial products are beginning to channel part of their revenues back into open-source development.
Unlike traditional companies, Bitcoin’s development model relies on a decentralized network of contributors funded through grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic initiatives.
By committing a portion of ETF profits to developer funding, Bitwise aims to create a feedback loop where capital flowing into Bitcoin investment products helps sustain the infrastructure and talent responsible for maintaining the network.
The firm said the initiative is made possible by investors who chose to allocate capital to the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, effectively allowing part of the fund’s growth to flow back into the open-source ecosystem that powers Bitcoin.
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