Buy Bitcoin ETFs in just 4 stepsBitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs) are similar to other ETFs, and you’ll need to follow these steps if you want to buy one of them:Choose a brokerOpen your account – which will require your IDFund your account by transferring money from your bank account to your broker accountSearch for the Bitcoin ETF you want to buy, select it and investHow to buy Bitcoin spot ETFsOn 11 January 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds). This means you can now get exposure to Bitcoin’s price through traditional brokerages and in your retirement accounts.Which companies are offering spot Bitcoin ETFs?BlackRockFidelityInvescoGrayscaleARK & 21 SharesBitwise InvestFranklinVanEckWisdomTreeValkyrieHashdexWhy buy a Bitcoin ETF?A Bitcoin ETF allows investors to gain exposure to this volatile asset through a basket approach.It’s like any other thematic-based ETF. If you believe a certain sector, theme or market could be the major winner moving forward but are unsure of the individual winners, taking a basket approach allows you to gain exposure while offsetting individual business risk.An ETF approach to Bitcoin also allows investors a different way to gain exposure.While there are many Bitcoin ETFs in circulation, many of which are inaccessible, the available ones offer investors different solutions. Some track movement in price while others follow businesses that are exposed to crypto assets. And while you should know what you own, a Bitcoin ETF could be a way of gaining access to the fastest-growing trend in financial markets.3 types of Bitcoin ETFsBitcoin ETFs all broadly follow the same theme, but they can be broken down into 3 main categories:Physically backed. This is probably the simplest form of ETF for investors to get their heads around. In this instance, the ETF you invest in will buy Bitcoin on your behalf and store it for you, most often in an offline wallet.Futures contracts. If you choose to buy a futures-backed ETF, you don’t actually own Bitcoin. Instead, the ETF provider is trading contracts that reflect Bitcoin’s price on your behalf. Should the price of Bitcoin increase, so will the next contract, lifting the price of what the ETF holds. The inverse is also true should the price of Bitcoin fall.Picks and shovels. In this instance, you’re looking at companies that are mining Bitcoin. You are investing in the underlying tech instead of the outcome. Basically, you’re making money selling the picks and shovels instead of buying Bitcoin itself.Simplicity. Learning how to buy and store cryptocurrency can be a confusing and daunting process. ETFs make it easy to gain exposure to digital currencies without going through the hassle of owning any coins.Create a diverse portfolio. The compartmentalised nature of the cryptocurrency industry means that acquiring and holding a large collection of currencies all at once is complicated and time-consuming. You may have to open several wallets and maintain accounts on multiple cryptocurrency exchanges. While US choices track only Bitcoin at the moment, in theory, cryptocurrency ETFs allow you to track multiple digital coins and tokens at once, saving you a lot of time and effort.Avoid the risk of hacking. Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets are susceptible to hacking attacks and theft. Buying units in a cryptocurrency ETF protects you against these risks as you don’t actually own any digital coins.Lower fees. ETFs generally have lower fees than traditional managed funds, making it possible to build a diversified portfolio at a lower expense.Regulation. Futures markets used by current Bitcoin ETFs are federally regulated while Bitcoin has more limited regulation. Some will consider this a benefit, others a drawback.Limited choice. There’s currently limited choice available for anyone wanting to invest in cryptocurrency-related ETFs in the US. However, now that the SEC has approved its first cryptocurrency ETF, this will likely soon change.Volatility. Cryptocurrencies are famous for their volatility. They can also experience substantial price fluctuations in a short period. If the market moves against you, the value of your cryptocurrency ETF units could take a sharp dive.Tracking vs owning. With futures-based cryptocurrency ETFs, you’re also looking at a value that tracks the coin indirectly. It won’t match the asset and you could gain or lose as the asset moves in price. It’s a great unknown at this point.Lack of risk diversification. Traditional ETFs often include an extensive range of securities to help achieve diversification. They sometimes include government bonds and debt to mitigate market risk. However, most versions of cryptocurrency ETFs only provide access to a limited range of digital currencies. When you consider the correlation between the performance of Bitcoin and the value of altcoins, this only increases the level of risk.Crypto-specific risks still apply. Just because you don’t have to deal with any of the risks of owning digital currency doesn’t mean these risks cease to exist. Issues such as hacking will still need to be managed by the ETF provider.Fees apply. On top of an annual management fee, you’ll need to consider brokerage fees that apply when you buy or sell ETF units.International taxes. If you buy ETF units located in another country, such as XBT Provider’s funds, be aware that foreign tax may apply.Compare online ETF brokersTo invest in Bitcoin ETFs, you need a brokerage account. Review platform features and fees to find the account that best fits your needs.Important: Share trading can be financially risky and the value of your investment can go down as well as up. “Standard brokerage” fee is the cost to trade $1,000 or less of ASX-listed shares and ETFs without any qualifications or special eligibility. If ASX shares aren’t available, the fee shown is for US shares. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.What Bitcoin ETFs are listed in Canada?There are plenty of Bitcoin ETFs circulating on global exchanges. The SEC recently approved 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs and these will become available to trade on various brokers and trading platforms over the coming days. Because spot Bitcoin ETFs have been on offer in Canada since 2021, a number of cryptocurrency or Bitcoin ETFs are already available to Canadian stock investors. Here is a list of current leading providers:Bitcoin ETF feesThis is a summary of the fees charged on the 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs that have been approved:BlackRockIBIT0.20%0.30%First 12 months or US$5 billion AUMFidelityFBTC0%0.39%First 6 months or US$1 billion AUMInvescoBTCO0%0.59%First 6 months and US$5 billion AUMGrayscaleGBTC1.50%1.50%N/AARK & 21 SharesARKB0%0.25%First 6 months or $1 billion AUMBitwise InvestBITB0%0.24%First 6 months or $1 billion AUMFranklinEXBC0.29%0.29%N/AVanEckHODL0.25%0.25%N/AWisdomtreeBTCW0.50%0.50%N/AValkyrieBRRR0.80%0.80%N/AHashdexDEFI0.90%0.90%N/A
How do ETFs affect the price of Bitcoin?Bitcoin ETFs should positively affect Bitcoin price. Bitcoin will get more attention from mainstream investors, including financial advisers who wouldn’t otherwise want to get exposure to cryptocurrency. Having Bitcoin ETFs approved by the SEC could also boost investor confidence in this alternative asset.Who are Bitcoin ETFs suited to?Bitcoin ETFs are suited to a number of investors ranging from those who are already stock traders to those who are bullish on the future price of the asset class.Buying one of the current Bitcoin ETFs means you will be investing in future contracts or in a company’s exposure to Bitcoin’s assets, but you will not hold the “physical” asset itself. As such, investors who are bullish on the price of the underlying asset, but do not want the hassle of owning a cryptocurrency wallet, could favour a Bitcoin ETF instead.An ETF structure might also appeal to investors who own other stocks but want to gain exposure to Bitcoin assets.Rather than signing up for 2 different accounts and having to track 2 different asset classes, investors can simply own an ETF.Limitations of Bitcoin ETFsWhile an ETF gives you the opportunity to get into the market, as it currently stands you won’t own the actual underlying assets. Instead, most trade using a model based on business exposure to Bitcoin or based on contracts for difference (CFDs), meaning you are trading on the future price of Bitcoin without owning it.If you want to own Bitcoin, an ETF approach may not be best suited to your needs.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators’ websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
