Bitwise tests institutional appetite for non-custodial DeFi yield with Morpho vault launch

Crypto asset manager Bitwise announced the launch of non-custodial yield strategies as a curator on Morpho on 26 January. This launch marks a measured step into decentralised finance as institutional interest in onchain yield continues to build.

The move represents Bitwise’s first direct participation in DeFi vault curation, positioning the firm as an active strategy manager rather than a custodial intermediary.

Vault structure targets overcollateralised lending yield

The new offering allows users to allocate assets to Bitwise-curated vaults on Morpho that target an annualised yield of up to 6% through overcollateralised lending pools. 

The vaults are non-custodial, meaning users retain control of their assets while Bitwise defines allocation parameters and risk controls.

The firm has not disclosed initial deposits, vault size, or minimum allocation requirements.

Bitwise curator model avoids custody and regulatory exposure

By acting as a curator rather than a custodian, Bitwise avoids taking direct control of client assets — a design choice that addresses long-standing institutional concerns around custody, operational risk, and regulatory exposure in decentralised finance.

The structure reflects a broader trend among asset managers exploring modular DeFi components, where strategy selection and risk management are layered on top of transparent onchain infrastructure rather than bundled into vertically integrated platforms.

Risks remain despite professional management

Despite the involvement of an established asset manager, the strategy remains exposed to protocol-level and market risks inherent to decentralised lending. 

Yields are variable and depend on borrowing demand, collateral quality, and broader market conditions, while smart-contract risk and liquidation dynamics remain structural features of onchain lending markets.

Bitwise has not indicated whether the vaults are open to retail users or restricted to sophisticated or institutional participants, leaving questions around accessibility and regulatory positioning unresolved.

A test case for institutional DeFi participation

The launch is best viewed as an early test of whether professionally curated, non-custodial vaults can attract sustained interest from institutions and sophisticated investors. 

Broader adoption may depend on performance across market cycles and on vault structures’ ability to deliver consistent, risk-adjusted returns without operational disruptions.

Final Thoughts

• Bitwise’s Morpho vault launch reflects growing institutional interest in non-custodial, onchain yield structures rather than custodial DeFi products.
• The initiative serves as a test case for whether professional curation can make decentralised lending more accessible to sophisticated investors.