Correspondence 0001213900-25-052888 from Bitwise Funds Trust (CIK 0001928561)
Bitwise Funds Trust (CIK 0001928561)
Date: June 10, 2025 · CIK: 0001928561 · Accession: 0001213900-25-052888
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 333-264900, 811-23801
Referenced dates: October 14, 2011
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CORRESP
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Richard J. Coyle
Partner
Chapman and Cutler LLP
320 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
T 312.845.3724
rcoyle@chapman.com
June 10, 2025
VIA EDGAR CORRESPONDENCE
Ashley Vroman-Lee
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Investment Management
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re:
Bitwise Funds Trust
File Nos. 333-264900; 811-23801
Dear Ms. Vroman-Lee:
This letter responds to your
comments delivered telephonically regarding the registration statement filed on Form N-14 (the “Registration Statement”)
for Bitwise Funds Trust (the “Registrant”) with the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Staff”).
The Registration Statement relates to the Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (the “Fund”), a series of the Registrant.
Capitalized terms used herein, but not otherwise defined, have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.
Comment
1 – General
The Staff reminds the Registrant
and its management that they are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action
or absence of action by the Staff. Where a comment is made in one location, it is applicable to all similar disclosures appearing elsewhere
in the Registration Statement. Please ensure that corresponding changes are made to any similar disclosure.
Response
to Comment 1
The Registrant confirms that
corresponding changes made in response to the Staff’s comments have been made to any similar disclosure throughout the Registration
Statement and that it will provide the Staff with a response letter in the form of correspondence at least five business days before effectiveness.
Comment 2 – General
On the page prior to the Table
of Contents, the Registrant hyperlinks the preliminary prospectus and SAI of the Acquiring Fund filed April 25, 2025 (the “Preliminary
Prospectus and SAI”) – please incorporate by reference the 485(a) filing once it is complete. Please also incorporate any
changes from the 485(a) filing.
Response to Comment 2
The Registrant respectfully
declines to make the requested revision because the Registrant does not intend to file another 485A amendment prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement. The Preliminary Prospectus and SAI is substantially similar to what will go effective on Form N-1A shortly
before the effectuation of the reorganization described in the Registration Statement in early August. Relating to the Preliminary Prospectus
and SAI, the Staff asked whether the Target Fund intended to obtain exposure to crypto assets aside from bitcoin and ether. As the Target
Fund does not currently intend to obtain exposure to crypto assets aside from bitcoin and ether, such disclosure has been deleted, as
reflected in the Registration Statement. Except for the inclusion of the financial statements, which are set forth in the Registration
Statement, the Registrant does not expect any other material changes to the Preliminary Prospectus and SAI.
Comment 3 – Information about Management of the Fund
On Page 18 of the Registration
Statement, it states that “[a] discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Acquiring Fund’s investment
advisory agreement and sub-advisory agreement are expected to be available in the Acquiring Fund’s annual N-CSR filing for the period
ended December 31, 2025.” Please confirm that the listed date is correct.
Response to Comment 3
The Registrant confirms that
the date is correct and is based upon the Fund’s N-CSR reporting schedule.
Comment 4 – Part C
Please revise the Part C,
Item 15 disclosure regarding indemnification for consistency with Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
“1940 Act”). Please also add language pursuant to Rule 484 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”).
Response to Comment 4
The Registrant confirms that
the current Part C, Item 15 disclosure is consistent with Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act.
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Pursuant to the Staff’s
comment, to comply with Rule 484 of the 1933 Act, the Registrant has added the following disclosure:
Pursuant to Rule 484 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”), the Registrant furnishes the following undertaking: “Insofar
as indemnification for liability arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person
of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Comment 5 – Part C
The Staff notes that that
a “form of” tax opinion is not sufficient with respect to Item (16)(13)(e) of the Part C. Please include an undertaking in
the Registration Statement to file the tax opinion by post-effective amendment in compliance with the Staff Bulletin No. 19, dated October
14, 2011.
Response to Comment 5
The Registrant kindly
directs the Staff’s attention to Item 17(3) of the Part C, set forth below.
The undersigned Registrant
agrees to file, by post-effective amendment, an opinion of counsel supporting the tax consequences of the Reorganization within a reasonably
prompt time after receipt of such opinion.
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Please call me at (312) 845-3724
if you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss regarding these matters.
Sincerely yours,
Chapman and Cutler LLP
By:
/s/ Richard J. Coyle
Richard J. Coyle
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