Bitwise has launched its first on-chain yield product, introducing a USDC yield vault built on the Morpho protocol as the asset manager deepens its push into decentralized finance.
The new vault targets up to 6% yield on USDC, generated through over-collateralized lending, with Bitwise overseeing strategy execution and risk management.
Key takeaways:
Bitwise has launched its first on-chain USDC yield vault.
The vault is built on Morpho and targets up to 6% yield via over-collateralized lending.
Bitwise manages the strategy and risk, blending TradFi-style oversight with DeFi infrastructure.
The announcement was shared by Bitwise, marking a notable step as one of the largest crypto-native asset managers moves beyond passive investment products into active, on-chain yield strategies.
How the Vault Works
The vault is deployed on Morpho, a decentralized lending protocol designed to optimize capital efficiency while maintaining conservative risk parameters. Yield is generated by lending USDC against over-collateralized positions, reducing counterparty and liquidation risk compared with under-collateralized lending models.
Unlike many DeFi yield products that rely on automated strategies with minimal human oversight, Bitwise’s vault places portfolio construction, risk controls, and parameter adjustments under the firm’s direct management. This hybrid approach aims to combine the transparency and efficiency of on-chain markets with institutional-grade risk processes.
?BITWISE LAUNCHES ONCHAIN USDC YIELD VAULT
Bitwise has launched its first on-chain vault on Morpho, targeting up to 6% yield on USDC through over-collateralized lending, with Bitwise managing strategy and risk. pic.twitter.com/JMtBgeYHJ2
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) January 26, 2026
Why This Matters
The launch reflects a broader trend: traditional and crypto-native asset managers are increasingly looking to bring institutional capital on-chain without exposing investors to unmanaged smart contract or market risk. Stablecoin yield, in particular, has become one of the most in-demand products as investors seek dollar-denominated returns outside of traditional banking systems.
By offering a managed USDC vault, Bitwise is positioning itself at the intersection of DeFi and professional asset management — a space many believe represents the next phase of crypto adoption.
A Shift Toward Active On-Chain Products
Until now, Bitwise has been best known for index funds and exchange-traded products that provide passive exposure to digital assets. The move into on-chain yield marks a strategic expansion, signaling confidence in the maturity of DeFi infrastructure and the ability to manage risk at scale.
It also highlights how protocols like Morpho are becoming foundational plumbing for institutional DeFi, offering permissionless access while supporting more conservative, risk-aware strategies.
The Bigger Picture
Stablecoins such as USDC have increasingly become the backbone of on-chain finance, functioning as settlement assets, collateral, and yield-bearing instruments. Products like Bitwise’s new vault show how asset managers are beginning to treat DeFi not as an experimental niche, but as a legitimate venue for capital deployment.
If successful, the vault could pave the way for additional on-chain products from Bitwise — potentially across other stablecoins, assets, or structured strategies. For now, it underscores a clear message: institutional DeFi is moving from theory to practice, with established asset managers leading the way.
