Following the SEC’s recent approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, investing in Bitcoin is now more accessible to average investors eager to get into the cryptocurrency space. For investors and traders, buying a spot bitcoin ETF is like buying shares in any other ETF or security. Spot bitcoin ETFs are available on a variety of traditional platforms that offer popular services, like stock and options trading, retirement planning, advisory services, and automated investing. Tradeable on traditional exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, these ETFs allow investors to enjoy the leverage of investing in bitcoin without a need to hold it or understand how crypto platforms work. Before investing, you should be aware of how these ETFs work and the risks involved.
Where to Buy Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Spot bitcoin ETFs are now available to trade on several online brokerage and robo-advisor platforms. These new ETFs are also eligible for use in many retirement accounts, like Bitcoin IRAs, traditional IRAs and Roth IRA accounts, and solo 401(k) plans.
When picking spot bitcoin ETFs, it is critical for investors to analyze the fees involved. For now, many issuers are offering fee waivers to encourage investments. For example, Bitwise has decided to waive some fees, including the sponsor’s fee for the first six months, while Ark Funds is waiving all its fees for now. It’s important to note that these platforms offering fee waivers for bitcoin ETFs are competing for investors, and these fee waivers are temporary.
Another thing to consider are the management fees. High management fees, like the one charged by Grayscale (1.50%), can cut into your ETF profits. Investors should aim for funds with annual management fees between 0.2% and 0.5%.
Compare Platforms for Investing in Spot Bitcoin ETFs
| Self-Directed Brokerages | Account Minimum | Available Crypto Assets |
| Fidelity | $0 | Coins, ETFs |
| Robinhood | $0 | Coins, ETFs |
| Charles Schwab | $0 | ETFs |
| E*TRADE | $0 | ETFs |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | Coins, ETFs |
| eToro | $10 for stocks and ETFs, $200 for CopyTrader | Coins, ETFs |
| tastytrade | $0 | Coins, ETFs |
| Lightspeed | $10,000 (web and mobile), $25,000 (software) | Coins, ETFs |
| Robo-Advisors | Account Minimum | Available Crypto Assets |
| Sofi Automated Investing | $1 | ETFs |
Steps to Investing in Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Investing in bitcoin ETFs requires a suitable account such as those listed above, most of which you can open in 30 minutes or less. Creating an account is easy and can typically be done online.
- Open a brokerage account: Select a company that offers spot bitcoin ETFs and open an online brokerage account.
- Fund the account: Many brokerage platforms allow you to fund your account from other brokerage platforms or a regular bank account. Ensure that you fund the account with adequate money to cover the cost of your ETF shares, additional fees, and commissions.
- Research available bitcoin ETFs: There are currently 11 bitcoin ETFs approved by the SEC. During your research, look for ETFs with a high trading volume and high assets under management (AUM). Also, look into what other assets comprise the ETF and check if the issuer behind it is reputable.
- Select preferred bitcoin ETFs: Many brokerages give you at least two or three options, displaying the difference in fees for each offer. Choose a bitcoin ETF that aligns with your budget and investment goals.
- Place an order: Place a buy order for your select bitcoin ETF, as you would for stocks. You can choose between a market order, which buys the ETF in minutes, or a limit order, which will execute at your pre-set price.
- Monitor your investments regularly: Keep an eye on your investment, observe bitcoin charts, and watch out for any bitcoin-related news, as this can often affect the volatility of your spot bitcoin ETF.
Pros of Trading Spot Bitcoin ETFs
The launch of spot bitcoin ETFs fulfills a need for individuals and institutions to invest in bitcoin in a regulated, convenient manner without the need to hold it.
These are the benefits investors can enjoy from spot bitcoin ETFs.
- Convenience: Since spot bitcoin ETFs are tradeable on traditional exchanges, investors can easily explore them. There is no need to sign up with crypto exchanges or worry about wallet safety and other custody issues.
- Liquidity: Bitcoin ETFs bring liquidity into bitcoin, which can be beneficial to investors. The companies that issue spot bitcoin ETF provide the liquidity required for trading and implement smaller spreads, encouraging monetary inflows.
- Regulatory oversight: Spot bitcoin ETFs are a more regulated asset class than cryptocurrencies. This regulatory oversight provides a greater protective barrier for spot bitcoin ETF investors over what is usually obtainable on many crypto exchanges where regulation is not far-reaching.
- Tax implications: Tax laws on bitcoin ETFs will differ from country to country. In many countries, they will be treated like other assets. For example, you could pay less in taxes holding a spot bitcoin ETF than you would typically spend on cryptocurrency since you will likely hold the ETF for much longer. The IRS tax laws on capital gains and losses indicate you pay less for properties, including bitcoin spot ETFs, when you keep them for more than a year.
Cons of Trading Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Investing in spot bitcoin ETFs poses some risks. Bitcoin ETFs are still subject to market manipulation common with digital assets (especially cryptocurrencies).
Other risks to consider include:
- Crypto volatility: In recent years, the cryptocurrency market has experienced heightened volatility when measured against the U.S. equity market. Holding a bitcoin ETF does not insulate you from this volatility. News like the upcoming 2024 bitcoin halving and fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) can cause fluctuations in the value of your investment over short periods. On Jan. 10, 2024, the eve of the SEC’s spot bitcoin ETF approval, a fake tweet by the commission caused Bitcoin to surge from $46,800 to $47,860 in minutes before it crashed to $45,400 when it became apparent the SEC’s X account was compromised.
- Regulatory uncertainty: Spot bitcoin ETFs are regulated investment vehicles that are subject to government bodies’ control and scrutiny. The SEC is still reluctant about crypto investing and might change its stance on this asset class. Also, new regulations could spring up that limit your investments in these ETFs.
- Security risks: The underlying bitcoin in your ETF is in the custody of at least one counterparty. If the counterparty gets hacked, it could adversely affect your investment’s safety. For example, BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF, iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), is being issued by BlackRock, but Coinbase holds the bitcoins. If either BlackRock or Coinbase experiences a security breach, your bitcoin shares might be at risk.
Alternatives to Spot Bitcoin ETFs
Spot bitcoin ETFs are a new asset class. While exciting, there are other ways of investing for anyone looking to get into bitcoin. Bitcoin ETFs are subject to far more volatility than regular ETFs and could be caught in regulatory crossfires. Here are ways to invest in bitcoin directly or indirectly without buying a spot bitcoin ETF.
- Buy bitcoin directly: Buying bitcoin directly is the most straightforward way to crypto ownership, which a bitcoin ETF does not give you. However, to buy bitcoin directly, you must understand how bitcoin works, decide on what kind of custody to use for your assets and choose an exchange or wallet to make a purchase. Owning bitcoin gives you more usage flexibility but opens you up to more government control.
- Invest in cryptocurrency company stocks: Another way to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies is by buying shares in cryptocurrency companies. Popular companies include Riot, Coinbase, and MicroStrategy. Crypto-linked shares usually correlate with market movements and could provide some volatility for investors.
- Buy cryptocurrency company or index-based ETFs: Alternatively, investors could consider investing in legacy ETFs. Bitcoin ETFs like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) have been available for trading since 2013. Such ETFs have a longer track record and are more suitable for investors who need something with proven performance.
The Bottom Line
Spot bitcoin ETFs are a new class of investments that allows investors to invest in bitcoin at their convenience with far less risk. They are available through retirement accounts, and on automated investing platforms (robo-advisors), and online brokerages during open market hours, but not on crypto exchanges. To get started with spot bitcoin ETFs, open and fund an account with a brokerage platform, continuously monitor the ETF, and be mindful of fees and commissions.
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the first virtual, decentralized cryptocurrency traded over a peer-to-peer network. Transactions on this network are recorded on the blockchain, a distributed ledger, to promote transparency and reduce intermediaries. Bitcoin is used for payments, investing, and speculation, and was created by a pseudonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto in January 2009. The smallest unit of a bitcoin is a satoshi (100 millionths of a bitcoin).
What Is a Spot Bitcoin ETF?
A spot bitcoin ETF invests directly in bitcoins as the underlying asset. This differs from bitcoin futures ETFs, which are based on derivatives contracts of their prices. Spot bitcoin ETFs comprise underlying bitcoins that are securely stored in a vault by the company offering the ETFs.
What Does BTC Mean?
BTC is the ticker symbol for Bitcoin, and it’s how the cryptocurrency is abbreviated and represented in the financial markets. Investors can search the price of Bitcoin and find Bitcoin-related news by using the ticker symbol BTC with their preferred platform or investment research site.
Should You Buy a Spot Bitcoin Right Now?
Buying a spot bitcoin ETF is a good idea for anyone who wants to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies without the hassle of owning and storing them. Like any investment, however, the potential for bitcoin to deliver positive returns varies depending on the time period under consideration. Bitcoin’s price is volatile, influenced by market sentiment and external factors. If you believe in its long-term potential as a decentralized digital currency and store of value, now might be a suitable time to buy, considering its historical growth. However, be cautious of short-term fluctuations, as the volatility can be unsettling for risk-averse investors.
