Blab Crypto
Hashdex Expands Nasdaq CME Crypto Index ETF to Nine Assets, Adding Hyperliquids HYPE Token
Hashdex’s Nasdaq CME Crypto Index ETF (ticker NCIQ) just gained a new headline‑making addition: Hyperliquid’s HYPE token. The move on Tuesday pushes the fund’s portfolio to nine cryptocurrencies, following HYPE’s recent qualification for the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index.
NCIQ now holds Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Stellar (XLM), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and the newly added HYPE. The ETF launched in February 2025 with only BTC and ETH and has grown incrementally through quarterly reconstitutions. According to a Hashdex press release, the expansion reflects a widening institutional appetite for a broader spectrum of digital assets that meet custody and liquidity standards.
Hyperliquid has positioned itself as a major decentralized trading ecosystem. Its native token, HYPE, surged nearly 223% in 2026, reaching about $83 in recent market data. The token’s inclusion is noteworthy because it is one of the year’s stronger performers and satisfies the index’s liquidity and market‑cap thresholds.
The Nasdaq CME Crypto Index is designed to evolve as market conditions shift. To qualify, an asset must trade on at least two approved exchanges, be supported by a qualified custodian, and meet strict liquidity requirements. Eligible assets must also represent at least 0.5 % of the market capitalization of the eligible universe before they can be considered for inclusion. Once selected, constituents are weighted by free‑float market capitalization.
CME Group launched Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures in June, giving investors a regulated route to broad crypto exposure through a single futures contract. CME reported that average daily volume across its cryptocurrency futures suite rose 43 % year‑to‑date as of May, underscoring growing institutional participation.
For investors, NCIQ’s expansion offers a rules‑based alternative to single‑asset crypto ETFs. Rather than picking one token that might lead the next rally, the index automatically adds assets that become sufficiently liquid, sizable, and institutionally accessible. This approach aligns with the broader trend of institutionalization beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Hashdex manages about $1 billion in assets as of August 24, according to its public filings. The firm’s focus on regulated, market‑cap‑weighted exposure has positioned NCIQ as a benchmark for diversified crypto investing.
The addition of HYPE also highlights the increasing integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) projects into regulated investment products. By meeting custody and liquidity standards, DeFi tokens can now be incorporated into institutional‑grade indices, potentially broadening the investor base for these projects.
In summary, Hashdex’s inclusion of Hyperliquid’s HYPE token in the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index ETF marks a significant step in the evolution of crypto indices. The move reflects the growing institutional demand for diversified exposure to a wider array of digital assets that meet stringent regulatory and liquidity criteria. As the CME Group continues to expand its regulated crypto futures offerings and as more DeFi tokens achieve institutional readiness, further index expansions are likely to follow.
The current composition of NCIQ, the performance of its constituents, and the broader regulatory environment will continue to shape the trajectory of institutional crypto investing in the coming months.
NCIQ now holds Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, Stellar (XLM), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and the newly added HYPE. The ETF launched in February 2025 with only BTC and ETH and has grown incrementally through quarterly reconstitutions. According to a Hashdex press release, the expansion reflects a widening institutional appetite for a broader spectrum of digital assets that meet custody and liquidity standards.
Hyperliquid has positioned itself as a major decentralized trading ecosystem. Its native token, HYPE, surged nearly 223% in 2026, reaching about $83 in recent market data. The token’s inclusion is noteworthy because it is one of the year’s stronger performers and satisfies the index’s liquidity and market‑cap thresholds.
The Nasdaq CME Crypto Index is designed to evolve as market conditions shift. To qualify, an asset must trade on at least two approved exchanges, be supported by a qualified custodian, and meet strict liquidity requirements. Eligible assets must also represent at least 0.5 % of the market capitalization of the eligible universe before they can be considered for inclusion. Once selected, constituents are weighted by free‑float market capitalization.
CME Group launched Nasdaq CME Crypto Index futures in June, giving investors a regulated route to broad crypto exposure through a single futures contract. CME reported that average daily volume across its cryptocurrency futures suite rose 43 % year‑to‑date as of May, underscoring growing institutional participation.
For investors, NCIQ’s expansion offers a rules‑based alternative to single‑asset crypto ETFs. Rather than picking one token that might lead the next rally, the index automatically adds assets that become sufficiently liquid, sizable, and institutionally accessible. This approach aligns with the broader trend of institutionalization beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Hashdex manages about $1 billion in assets as of August 24, according to its public filings. The firm’s focus on regulated, market‑cap‑weighted exposure has positioned NCIQ as a benchmark for diversified crypto investing.
The addition of HYPE also highlights the increasing integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) projects into regulated investment products. By meeting custody and liquidity standards, DeFi tokens can now be incorporated into institutional‑grade indices, potentially broadening the investor base for these projects.
In summary, Hashdex’s inclusion of Hyperliquid’s HYPE token in the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index ETF marks a significant step in the evolution of crypto indices. The move reflects the growing institutional demand for diversified exposure to a wider array of digital assets that meet stringent regulatory and liquidity criteria. As the CME Group continues to expand its regulated crypto futures offerings and as more DeFi tokens achieve institutional readiness, further index expansions are likely to follow.
The current composition of NCIQ, the performance of its constituents, and the broader regulatory environment will continue to shape the trajectory of institutional crypto investing in the coming months.
