Canaan Records 1,808 BTC Treasury as Bitwise Debuts Staking-Integrated Avalanche ETF

The cryptocurrency mining and staking sectors witnessed a flurry of institutional activity on April 15, 2026, headlined by Canaan Inc.’s record-breaking treasury expansion and the launch of the first staking-integrated spot ETF on the New York Stock Exchange.

By Michael Nguyen | April 15, 2026

As the digital asset market continues its maturation in early 2026, the lines between hardware manufacturing, institutional finance, and on-chain participation are increasingly blurring. Today’s developments highlight a significant shift toward vertical integration, where mining giants are becoming major holders and ETF providers are incorporating native network participation directly into their financial products. From Canaan’s operational surge to Bitwise’s innovative Avalanche offering, the infrastructure of the crypto economy is reaching new levels of sophistication.

Canaan Inc. Hits New Treasury Milestones in March Operational Update

Mining hardware pioneer Canaan Inc. released its operational update for March 2026 today, revealing a robust expansion of its self-mining operations and a record-high cryptocurrency treasury. According to data released by the company, Canaan successfully delivered 89 BTC during the month of March, bringing its total cryptocurrency holdings to a record 1,808 BTC and 3,952 ETH. This aggressive accumulation strategy signals a growing trend among hardware manufacturers to leverage their own equipment for long-term asset retention rather than immediate liquidation.

Beyond its treasury growth, Canaan reported a substantial increase in its physical infrastructure. The company expanded its North American mining capacity by over 10 megawatts (MW), which has pushed its global installed power capacity to 266.3 MW. This expansion comes at a critical time as the industry faces increasing scrutiny over energy consumption, yet Canaan’s ability to secure and scale power in the North American market suggests a successful navigation of local regulatory and utility landscapes.

Bitwise Launches Innovative Staking-Integrated Avalanche ETF (BAVA)

In a landmark move for institutional digital asset products, Bitwise Asset Management officially launched the Bitwise Avalanche ETF (BAVA) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today. Unlike traditional spot ETFs that merely hold the underlying asset, BAVA introduces a pioneering “in-house staking” component through Bitwise Onchain Solutions. This allows the fund to capture network rewards directly for the benefit of its shareholders.

Strategic details from the prospectus indicate that Bitwise aims to stake approximately 70% of the fund’s total AVAX holdings. This strategy is expected to capture an estimated 5.4% annual staking reward, which will be passed through to shareholders, effectively providing a “yield” on top of the spot price performance. This development is being closely watched by analysts as a potential blueprint for future Ethereum and Solana ETFs, which have struggled to integrate staking due to prior regulatory hesitance.

Polygon’s sPOL Liquid Staking Gains Traction Following Live Debut

The staking landscape also saw significant activity in the liquid staking arena. Polygon’s native liquid staking token, sPOL, completed its first full day of live trading today following its announcement on April 14. sPOL is designed to unlock the liquidity of the 3.6 billion staked POL tokens currently securing the network. According to data from Polygon Technology, the token allows users to participate in the broader DeFi ecosystem while continuing to accrue staking rewards and a share of network priority fees.

Liquid staking has become a cornerstone of network security in 2026, as it reduces the opportunity cost for stakers who wish to use their capital in lending or trading protocols. The successful launch of sPOL is expected to further cement Polygon’s position as a leading Layer-2 solution by deepening the available liquidity for its native assets.

Regulatory Headwinds: North Carolina Town Enacts Mining Moratorium

While institutional adoption grows, local opposition remains a persistent challenge for the mining industry. In North Carolina, the Apex Town Council voted unanimously today to enact a 12-month moratorium on all new cryptocurrency mining operations and data centers. The moratorium, which officially takes effect on April 28, was driven by mounting concerns from local residents regarding the high water and energy consumption associated with large-scale mining facilities.

This move highlights the ongoing “not-in-my-backyard” sentiment that continues to plague the physical side of the crypto industry. It serves as a reminder that even as Bitcoin reaches new price heights, the physical infrastructure required to secure the network remains vulnerable to local political and environmental pressures.

U.S. Tax Deadline and the Launch of 1099-DA Reporting

Finally, April 15, 2026, marks a pivotal day for tax compliance in the United States. This date serves as the official “go-live” for mandatory 1099-DA cost basis reporting. Under the new regime, crypto miners, stakers, and brokers are required to provide detailed tax documentation to both users and the IRS. This increased transparency is expected to significantly impact how miners manage their liquidations and how stakers account for their frequent reward distributions.

Related: Bitcoin Institutional Demand Surges as MicroStrategy Adds 855 BTC to Treasury

The cryptocurrency market remains highly volatile. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.