Bitwise Makes First Foray into DeFi With Allocation via Maple Finance

In a move signaling increasing institutional acceptance of decentralized finance (DeFi), crypto asset management giant Bitwise has announced its first allocation to the sector through a partnership with Maple Finance , a platform specializing in on-chain lending.

The allocation, revealed Thursday , sees Bitwise, which manages over $12 billion in client assets, leveraging Maple’s platform to access yield-generating opportunities within DeFi’s emerging credit markets.

Maple Finance, launched in 2021, provides a platform for “on-chain credit,” essentially decentralized lending and borrowing services built on blockchain technology. These platforms aim to offer greater efficiency and transparency compared to traditional credit markets by leveraging the speed and automation of blockchain.

Bitwise executives highlighted the appeal of DeFi's unique characteristics. “Across all of our active solutions at Bitwise, we’ve always sought to take advantage of crypto-native investments that generate dynamic, uncorrelated returns,” Jeff Park, head of alpha strategies and portfolio manager at Bitwise, said in a statement. He emphasized Maple’s “deep expertise and battle-tested infrastructure” as key factors in their decision, allowing Bitwise to access on-chain credit opportunities with “confidence and scale.”

Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise Asset Management, underscored the strategic importance of this partnership: “Joining forces with Maple Finance represents a meaningful step forward in expanding institutional access to on-chain markets. As a pioneer in institutional DeFi, Maple has set the standard for transparency, efficiency, and scalability in on-chain credit.”

Maple Finance has positioned itself as a leading platform within the institutional DeFi landscape, specializing in overcollateralized lending backed by digital assets. Digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, offer advantages as collateral due to their 24/7 global trading, rapid settlement, and real-time risk management capabilities. According to Maple, its platform has successfully navigated multiple market cycles and delivered consistent, risk-adjusted yields that can outperform traditional fixed income investments.

"Bitwise’s allocation marks a watershed moment for on-chain credit, reinforcing Maple’s position as the leading venue for institutional allocators seeking access in a compliant format,” Sid Powell, co-founder and CEO of Maple Finance said, adding that the partnership "is a testament to the maturity and readiness of on-chain lending infrastructure, delivering the transparency, security, and efficiency that institutions require.”

Maple Finance, with its focus on institutional-grade infrastructure and compliance, aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the innovative, yet often complex, world of DeFi. Bitwise's allocation serves as a notable validation of this emerging asset class and could signal the beginning of wider institutional adoption of on-chain credit markets.