Digital assets investment firm Bitwise has donated $150,000 to Bitcoin open-source developers. In an announcement on X, the firm said three Bitcoin non-profits, Brink, Open Sats, and Human Rights Foundation (HRF), will be responsible for allocating the funds.

The contribution fulfills the company’s earlier pledge to donate 10% of the gross profits from its Bitwise Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) BITB annually. According to the firm, this is the first annual donation based on that commitment.

It said:

“Today, Bitwise is donating $150,000 to support Bitcoin open-source developers, who work tirelessly to secure and maintain the network.”

Meanwhile, the firm thanked the investors of its Bitcoin ETF product, noting that the donation was possible because they chose BITB instead of the several other Bitcoin ETFs available.

Bitwise BITB is among the top Bitcoin ETFs by assets, with $3.962 billion in assets under management (AUM). While this is only a small fraction of the $56.53 billion in BlackRock’s IBIT, the ETF is the fourth largest behind IBIT, Fidelity FBTC, and Ark 21Shares ARKB.

The firm added that its contributions will continue to grow as BITB attracts more investment, noting that it will “strive to do our part to be a good steward of this incredible ecosystem alongside you.”

Bitwise donations show it made $1.5 million in gross profits on its Bitcoin ETF in 2024. This is not completely surprising, given that the firm charges one of the lowest fees, 0.2%. Compared to it, BlackRock and Fidelity, which charge a 0.25% fee and have far higher AUM, likely made way more money.

ETFs boost institutional Bitcoin adoption

Meanwhile, Bitcoin ETFs have contributed significantly to the institutional adoption of Bitcoin according to the latest data on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 13F filings. A 13F filing is filed quarterly by institutional investment managers to show securities holdings that exceed $100 million.

According to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, the value of Bitcoin ETF holdings disclosed through 13F filings reached $38.7 billion in Q4, a threefold increase from the $12.4 billion in Q3. Overall, professional investors now own 28% of the Bitcoin ETF assets and Hougan predicted this could surpass 40% by the end of 2025.

Bloomberg senior analyst Eric Balchunas also noted that IBIT alone has 1,100 holders who filed 13Fs, showing massive institutional adoption towards the end of the year.

Signs of the growing ETF adoption are already evident even among retail holders. Popular Bitcoin maximalist Plan B disclosed that he had transferred all his Bitcoin to ETFs because it helped him better manage his BTC.

He said:

“Yes I know, not your keys not your coins. But it is just easier for me to manage bitcoin the same way as equities and bonds. Also, not having to hassle with keys gives me peace of mind. I guess I am not a maxi anymore.”

Another way institutional investors have been gaining exposure to Bitcoin is through the MSTR stock. The number of 13F filings for MSTR has grown substantially since the company adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy, reaching  1,051 in Q4 of 2024.

Analysts predict Bitcoin will see a resurgence

Meanwhile, industry stakeholders believe Bitcoin is poised to see its value rise despite recent struggles. Crypto analyst James Van Straten noted that Bitcoin will reach new highs as financial conditions loosen.

He noted the significance of BTC institutional adoption to all these, stating:

“Bitcoin became even further entrenched into the financial system with the addition of ETFs and options”

However, Van Straten does not expect Bitcoin to see a major price spike this month and believes a new high will not come until mid-March. BTC is currently trading at $95,000 and has fallen 10% in the past 30 days.

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U.S. stocks began rallying in the indices after Donald Trump reclaimed the White House in November. The rally made leading stocks hit new yearly highs generating massive gains for investors. The bull run came to an abrupt halt after Trump was sworn in as the President imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The tariffs range from 10% to 25% and the move disrupted the normal flow of global trade.

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Now that the majority of U.S. stocks are on a slippery slope, we have highlighted the top two assets that could generate returns. However, the two recommended stocks are for the long term only, and short-term trading is not advised. Holding on for the next two or three years could deliver the desired results.

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U.S. Stocks To Buy Today

1. Amazon (AMZN)

Amazon is among the top U.S. stocks that delivered double-digit returns in the last six months. It spiked 27% since August last year going from a low of $180 to a high of $226 in February. The steady surge made it to be among the most sought-after stock in the U.S. markets. Wall Street estimates that Amazon’s earnings could increase 17% annually through 2026. The prediction comes after the tech giant is increasingly investing in artificial intelligence (AI) across its retail and cloud businesses. Therefore, taking an entry position in AMZN is best now as its prospects could change between 2026 to 2028.

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2. Apple (AAPL)

AAPL is among the top leading U.S. stocks that should be on your radar in 2025. Apple has printed nearly 10% returns in a month despite the markets being jittery due to Trump’s tariffs. The stock has solid long-term potential as historically it has come out of adversities and delivered the desired results. Accumulating Apple stock at the $240 level and holding on for the long term could prove beneficial.