Matt Hougan on Staked ETFs: 3 Metrics That Matter Most

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  April 17, 2026 at 13:33  |  7:31  |  CoinDesk
Speakers
Matt Hougan — CIO, Bitwise Asset Management

Summary

Matt Hougan discusses Bitwise's new Avalanche ETF and the key metrics for evaluating staked crypto ETFs. He explains the bull case for Avalanche based on customizable L1s for enterprises and highlights Hyperliquid as a crucial platform for weekend trading. The conversation covers investment opportunities and risks in the evolving crypto landscape.

  • Bitwise launched an Avalanche ETF that stakes about 70% of assets to maximize yield.
  • Avalanche's architecture offers customizable L1s for enterprise adoption and real-world asset growth.
  • Investors should evaluate staked ETFs based on staking percentage, fee split, and staking quality.
  • Hyperliquid is becoming essential for global macro funds to trade on weekends due to geopolitical events.
  • Hyperliquid represents a new generation of DeFi with improved regulatory environment and token economics.
  • Diversification across Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche is recommended due to uncertainty in L1 dominance.
  • Real-world assets on Avalanche have grown 950% in the past year.
  • Bitwise has filed for a Hyperliquid ETF but is in a regulatory quiet period.
Trade Ideas
Matt Hougan CIO, Bitwise Asset Management 1:22
Avalanche's customizable L1s attract enterprises.
Avalanche offers customizable L1s for enterprises, which is a differentiated architecture that resonates with mainstream firms and the growth of real-world assets, making it a compelling investment in the L1 space.
AVAX HIGH
Matt Hougan CIO, Bitwise Asset Management 3:29
Diversify across major L1s due to uncertainty.
Since it's uncertain which L1 architecture will win between Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche, it's prudent to own all of them to capture the growing demand for high-quality block space.
ETH SOL MED
Matt Hougan CIO, Bitwise Asset Management 4:17
Favor staked ETFs with optimal staking metrics.
Investors should choose staked ETFs that maximize staking percentage, minimize fees taken by the asset manager, and have high-quality staking operations; Bitwise's ETFs like the Avalanche and Solana ETFs excel in these metrics.
BAVA Bitwise Solana ETF HIGH
Matt Hougan CIO, Bitwise Asset Management 6:24
Hyperliquid crucial for weekend trading and DeFi.
Hyperliquid is essential for global macro hedge funds to trade on weekends in response to geopolitical events, and it's a new-generation DeFi project with improved regulatory environment, real value capture, and successful token economics, leading to massive success.
HYPE HIGH
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This CoinDesk video, published April 17, 2026, features Matt Hougan discussing AVAX, ETH, SOL, BAVA, Bitwise Solana ETF, HYPE. 4 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Matt Hougan  · Tickers: AVAX, ETH, SOL, BAVA, Bitwise Solana ETF, HYPE