WisdomTree’s head of digital assets, Will Peck, believes that cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding diversified baskets of digital assets will soon fill a key gap in the market. Speaking at The Bridge conference in New York City, Peck said, “It does seem like that’s going to be one of the next waves of adoption. It solves a need, I think.”

He noted that while many new investors have a basic understanding of Bitcoin, they often find it difficult to evaluate the broader range of cryptocurrencies available. A multi-asset ETF, Peck explained, gives investors exposure to the wider crypto sector while helping reduce the “idiosyncratic risk” associated with buying individual tokens.

Multi-asset ETFs could shape the next phase of adoption

“Crypto we talked about as an asset class, but it’s really a technology,” Peck said, adding that “the underlying return drivers of each of these tokens are actually quite different, even though they’re correlated, generally, just because that’s where the market is.”

His comments follow a surge in crypto index ETF launches in 2025. Most recently, 21Shares introduced two regulated crypto index ETFs under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In September, asset manager Hashdex expanded its Crypto Index US ETF to include XRP, SOL, and Stellar, following a rule adjustment by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Peck said it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when broader adoption will happen but suggested it’s likely inevitable given the appeal of simple, diversified exposure. He also expects ETF issuers to accelerate new launches to gain early advantage, which could shift perceptions about ETFs automatically granting credibility to underlying cryptocurrencies.

Institutional interest keeps growing

“I think it’s going to be a shift, like, where, five years ago, you said, Oh, if something has an ETF, like, Bitcoin is going to get one, maybe it’s the first one, it must have some sort of institutional stamp of, like, approval,” Peck said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily how the SEC should be, a merit-based regulator in that regard, right? And it’s really going to be on clients making the right choices with their own money.”

Bitcoin ETFs exceeded expectations

Peck also reflected on the success of spot Bitcoin ETFs since their U.S. debut in January 2024, saying their “overall success” has surpassed expectations. “It’s remarkable to me how big the Bitcoin ETF categories, crypto in general, is one of the most competitive parts of the US ETF market,” he said.

According to data from Farside, U.S.-based spot Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated roughly $58.83 billion in net inflows since their launch, underscoring the growing institutional and retail demand for regulated crypto investment products.

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-index-etfs-adoption-wisdomtree-will-peck-interview

https://farside.co.uk/btc/