Hashdex has lowered the management fee on its multi-asset crypto exchange-traded fund, Hashdex Nasdaq CME Crypto Index ETF [NCIQ], as competition across the U.S. crypto ETF market continues to build.
According to a 16 March 2026 filing, the sponsor fee for NCIQ has been reduced from 0.50% to 0.25% per year, effective immediately. The change was disclosed in an 8-K filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The fee had previously been temporarily reduced through a waiver set to remain in place until the end of 2026. The new filing makes that lower fee level permanent.
Fee cut strengthens Hashdex’s pitch to investors
The reduction makes NCIQ cheaper for investors seeking diversified exposure to digital assets through a single listed product.
Hashdex said the decision reflects its effort to build more accessible crypto investment products for advisers, institutions, and high-net-worth investors.
The lower fee also comes at a time when fund issuers are increasingly using pricing to compete for flows in the growing crypto ETF market.
NCIQ launched in February 2025 as the first multi-asset spot crypto ETF in the United States. The fund tracks the Nasdaq CME Crypto Index and currently provides exposure to seven crypto assets:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- XRP
- Solana
- Cardano
- Chainlink
- Stellar
That structure sets it apart from single-asset spot ETFs tied only to Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Multi-asset crypto exposure remains a differentiator
Hashdex has positioned NCIQ as a product for investors seeking broader crypto exposure without selecting individual tokens.
The company said the fund is designed to evolve alongside the crypto market and regulatory developments, enabling investors to access a basket of major digital assets through a single regulated vehicle.
In its announcement, Hashdex said the fee reduction supports long-term access to a broader crypto allocation strategy as investor interest in diversified products continues to develop.
ETF issuers continue refining products
The move also reflects a broader trend across the crypto ETF market, where issuers are refining products through fee changes, benchmark adjustments, and structural updates as competition intensifies.
Hashdex disclosed that it manages about $1 billion in total assets globally as of 10 March, 2026. The firm currently offers multiple crypto index products across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
NCIQ’s custodians include Coinbase Custody, BitGo Trust, and Fidelity Digital Assets Services. At the same time, Nasdaq serves as both the listing venue and index administrator.
Final Summary
- Hashdex has permanently reduced NCIQ’s management fee to 0.25%, replacing a temporary waiver and making the product more competitive in the U.S. crypto ETF market.
- The fee cut reinforces Hashdex’s push to position NCIQ as a diversified crypto ETF for investors seeking exposure beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Adewale Olarinde
JournalistAdewale Olarinde is a crypto journalist and data-driven storyteller with a Master’s degree in International Relations. He covers digital assets, markets, and policy with a focus on clarity and context. Outside of work, he’s a lifelong Manchester United supporter and a big music lover.
