How and Where to Buy the New Spot Bitcoin ETFs

Zac McClure
ByZac McClure, MBAReviewed byAlex MilesUpdated on August 28, 2024 · minute read
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  • You can buy spot Bitcoin ETFs from top platforms like Charles Schwab, E*Trade, and Fidelity. Register for an account, fund it, and place an order to invest in Bitcoin ETFs, which track Bitcoin's price without requiring direct ownership.

  • Spot Bitcoin ETFs provide a convenient way to gain exposure to Bitcoin through traditional brokerage accounts. They offer options for beginner investors, active traders, and long-term holders. Each platform offers unique benefits, so choose the one that aligns with your investment goals.

Investing in Bitcoin has become more accessible than ever with the advent of spot Bitcoin ETFs. These ETFs directly track the price of Bitcoin, providing investors a convenient means to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency without the complexities of managing a digital wallet or trading on a cryptocurrency exchange.

Here are our top three picks, followed by a complete list of our top places to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs, with reviews and pros and cons so you can quickly identify the right one for you.

Charles Schwab

Best Bitcoin ETF for beginner investors

E*Trade

Best Bitcoin ETF for active traders

Fidelity

Best Bitcoin ETF for long-term investors

Where to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs

Spot Bitcoin ETFs are now widely available, allowing investors to be exposed to Bitcoin through traditional brokerage accounts. Here are some of the top spot Bitcoin ETFs and their key features.

Charles Schwab

Best Bitcoin ETF for beginner investors

Charles Schwab offers a user-friendly platform with educational resources, making it an ideal choice for new investors looking to venture into the world of Bitcoin ETFs.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No commission fees for online equity trades

  • No account minimum

  • Access to a range of investment options

Cons

  • Limited cryptocurrency offerings compared to specialized exchanges

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts recommend Charles Schwab as the best Bitcoin ETF for beginner investors due to its intuitive platform and comprehensive educational resources, which are essential for new users navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency investments.

E*Trade

Best Bitcoin ETF for active traders

E*Trade provides a robust trading platform with advanced tools and features, making it suitable for active traders looking to capitalize on Bitcoin ETFs' volatility.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Advanced trading tools and features

  • No commission fees for trades

  • Access to a wide range of investment options

Cons

  • High fees for certain transactions

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts selected E*Trade as the best Bitcoin ETF for active traders with its advanced trading platform and comprehensive suite of tools, catering to the needs of traders looking to capitalize on short-term market movements.

Fidelity

Best Bitcoin ETF for long-term investors

Fidelity offers a range of tools and resources for long-term investors interested in holding Bitcoin ETFs as part of their investment strategy.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No commission fees for trades

  • Diverse investment options beyond Bitcoin ETFs

  • Strong customer service and educational resources

Cons

  • Limited cryptocurrency offerings compared to specialized exchanges

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts recommend Fidelity for long-term investors due to its comprehensive investment options and commitment to customer service, making it an excellent choice for those looking to hold Bitcoin ETFs for an extended period.

Franklin Templeton Digital Holdings Trust (EZBC)

Best Bitcoin ETF for low fees

Franklin Templeton Digital Holdings Trust offers one of the lowest fees among Bitcoin ETFs, making it an appealing option for investors who want to minimize costs.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Low fee of 0.19%

  • Access to a range of investment options

Cons

  • Limited cryptocurrency offerings compared to specialized exchanges

-  Why our experts picked it

We recommend Franklin Templeton Digital Holdings Trust for its low fees, making it an ideal choice for cost-conscious investors looking to invest in Bitcoin ETFs.

Interactive Brokers

Best Bitcoin ETF for experienced traders

Interactive Brokers offers advanced trading tools and features, which makes it suitable for experienced traders looking for sophisticated trading options.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Advanced trading tools and features

  • Access to a range of investment options

  • Competitive pricing for active traders

Cons

  • High fees for certain transactions

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts selected Interactive Brokers for experienced traders due to its advanced trading platform and competitive pricing, catering to the needs of traders with a high level of trading experience.

Robinhood

Best Bitcoin ETF for commission-free trading

Robinhood's commission-free trading platform makes it a potentially attractive option for investors looking to minimize costs when trading Bitcoin ETFs.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Commission-free trading

  • No account minimum

  • Intuitive mobile app

Cons

  • Limited customer support compared to traditional brokers

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts recommend Robinhood for commission-free trading, making it an ideal choice for investors looking to minimize costs when trading Bitcoin ETFs.

VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL)

Best Bitcoin ETF for diversified investment

VanEck Bitcoin Trust offers a diversified investment option to investors who want exposure to Bitcoin ETFs while minimizing risk.

-  Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Access to a range of investment options

  • Diversified investment strategy

  • Low and even no (promotional) fees

Cons

  • Limited cryptocurrency offerings compared to specialized exchanges

-  Why our experts picked it

Our experts recommend VanEck Bitcoin Trust for its diversified investment strategy, which makes it a solid choice for investors looking to minimize risk when investing in Bitcoin ETFs.

How to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs

To buy spot Bitcoin ETFs, register for an account at one of our recommended brokerages and follow these simple steps:

  1. Search for the ETF you want: Use your brokerage platform's search tool or ETF screener to find the Bitcoin ETF you're interested in. Compare ETFs based on their expense ratios, which can range from 0.19% to 1.50%.

  2. Place your trade: Once you've selected the Bitcoin ETF you want to invest in, place your trade through your brokerage account. You can choose a market order that buys the ETF at market price or a limit order that sets the price at which you want to buy the ETF.

What are the best crypto ETFs?

The best crypto ETFs offer a combination of user-friendly platforms, robust trading tools, and comprehensive educational resources, catering to the needs of different types of investors. Our experts have identified the top three Bitcoin ETFs based on these criteria: Charles Schwab, E*Trade, and Fidelity.

Charles Schwab stands out as the best Bitcoin ETF for beginner investors, offering a user-friendly platform with educational resources that are essential for new users navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency investments.

E*Trade is the best Bitcoin ETF for active traders, providing a feature-rich platform with advanced tools and features suitable for capitalizing on Bitcoin ETFs' volatility.

Fidelity is the best Bitcoin ETF for long-term investors, offering a range of tools and resources for investors interested in holding Bitcoin ETFs as part of their long-term investment strategy.

Bitcoin ETF definition

A Bitcoin ETF is a kind of investment fund that directly tracks the price of Bitcoin. Unlike traditional ETFs that are based on Bitcoin futures contracts or other investments, spot Bitcoin ETFs hold Bitcoin directly.

This direct ownership of Bitcoin allows investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency without needing to hold the cryptocurrency directly. Spot Bitcoin ETFs are traded on traditional stock exchanges, which makes them accessible to a wide range of investors.

Advantages of Bitcoin ETFs

One of the key advantages of Bitcoin ETFs is their ease of purchase. Investors can buy and sell Bitcoin ETFs through their traditional brokerage accounts, making it easier to add Bitcoin to their portfolios. Additionally, investing in Bitcoin ETFs through traditional brokerage accounts can simplify crypto tax reporting compared to investing in Bitcoin directly.

However, it's important to note that Bitcoin ETFs may have management fees, which will vary depending on the ETF. Investors should carefully consider fees and other factors before investing in Bitcoin ETFs.

Bitcoin ETF pros and cons

Pros

  • Ease of purchase: Investors can buy and sell Bitcoin ETFs through their traditional brokerage accounts, making it easier to add Bitcoin to their portfolios.

  • Tax advantages: Investing in Bitcoin ETFs through traditional brokerage accounts can simplify tax reporting compared to investing in Bitcoin directly.

  • Diversification: Bitcoin ETFs allow investors to get exposed to Bitcoin without the need to hold the cryptocurrency directly.

Cons

  • Management fees: Some Bitcoin ETFs have higher management fees compared to traditional ETFs.

  • Lack of control: Investors who buy Bitcoin ETFs do not have direct control over the underlying Bitcoin holdings.

Other ways to invest in Bitcoin

In addition to spot Bitcoin ETFs, there are other ways to invest in Bitcoin. You can:

  • Buy Bitcoin directly through a centralized cryptocurrency exchange such as Binance or Coinbase.

  • Invest in companies that are involved in Bitcoin and blockchain technology.

  • Invest in Bitcoin futures contracts.

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How and where to buy Bitcoin ETFs FAQs

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about how and where to buy Bitcoin ETFs.

Where can you buy Bitcoin ETF?

Bitcoin ETFs can be bought and sold through traditional brokerage accounts that offer ETF trading.

Is Bitcoin ETF a good investment?

Bitcoin ETFs can be a solid investment for investors who want to get exposure to Bitcoin without needing to hold the cryptocurrency directly. However, like all investments, you should consider your goals and risk tolerance before you invest in Bitcoin ETFs.

Does Vanguard have a Bitcoin ETF?

As of now, Vanguard does not offer a Bitcoin ETF. However, the company has expressed interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. They may offer a Bitcoin ETF in the future.

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Zac McClure
Zac McClureCo-Founder & CEO at TokenTax
Zac co-founded TokenTax after his career in international finance and accounting at JPMorgan, Imprint Capital and Bain. He has worked in more than half-dozen countries and received his MBA from the UPenn Wharton School.
Alex Miles
Reviewed byAlex MilesCo-Founder at TokenTax
Prior to TokenTax, Alex worked as a Product Designer at Dropbox and before that Readmill (acquired by Dropbox). He holds a BS in Digital Information Design - Interactive Media from Winthrop University.

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