Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, said in a recent interview that busy investors now represent the primary barrier to broader crypto adoption, after the industry has overcome earlier obstacles like lack of exchanges and custody solutions.
According to Horsley, regulation and access are no longer among the sector's main concerns. He noted that many advisors at large firms still do not know they can access Bitcoin through Bitwise products, despite firm approval more than a year ago. Some advisors are now looking to transition clients from direct crypto holdings into ETF shares, citing "peace of mind" and simplicity as driving factors.
Price Stability and Market Conditions
Horsley emphasized that Bitcoin needs steady price gains rather than sharp declines or rapid surges to support adoption. He described the ideal scenario as "positive price performance, not too slow, not too fast, and not too high too quickly." According to Horsley, sharp price movements in either direction cause hesitation among investors—falling markets prompt waiting, while sudden rallies raise concerns about overheating.
Regulatory Outlook
On pending cryptocurrency legislation, Horsley said he does not see clients or partners waiting for Clarity before entering the sector. He noted that the most regulated institutions are moving forward regardless of the outcome. The SEC's proposed custody framework, he added, would not significantly change how advisors add crypto exposure, though it could eventually open doors to stablecoin holdings, on-chain vaults, and tokenized assets.
Bitwise NEAR ETF Performance
Bitwise launched its NEAR ETF on the New York Stock Exchange in late September, drawing over $50 million in net inflows. Horsley positioned the fund as operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, noting that index products have lagged single-asset funds but that "the story is just getting started on the index front."
