The Bitcoin ETF market has seen significant growth in recent years, with the first Bitcoin ETF launched in 2019. This marked a major milestone in the industry.
The first Bitcoin ETF, the VanEck Bitcoin Trust, was approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2019. This approval paved the way for more Bitcoin ETFs to be launched.
The SEC's approval of the VanEck Bitcoin Trust was a major breakthrough, as it allowed investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through a traditional investment vehicle. This has made it easier for investors to participate in the Bitcoin market.
The Bitcoin ETF market has seen a surge in popularity, with several new ETFs launched in 2020. This growth is expected to continue, with many more ETFs planned for launch in the coming years.
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What Is a Bitcoin ETF?
A Bitcoin ETF is a type of investment fund that allows you to gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually owning any of the cryptocurrency.
It's a way to invest in Bitcoin through traditional financial channels, such as a brokerage account or a retirement fund.
A Bitcoin ETF tracks the price of Bitcoin, meaning its value will move in tandem with the price of Bitcoin.
Investors can buy and sell shares of a Bitcoin ETF on a stock exchange, just like they would with any other stock.
Bitcoin ETFs are often seen as a more accessible and regulated way to invest in Bitcoin compared to buying and storing the cryptocurrency directly.
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Benefits and Strategies
IBIT provides investors with potentially lower transaction costs due to its high liquidity, characterized by strong trading volume and narrow bid-ask spreads.
IBIT is the most traded bitcoin exchange-traded product since launch, which is a significant advantage for investors.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is managed by the world's largest asset manager, BlackRock, which has $10.5T in assets under management as of March 31, 2024.
This level of expertise and resources can provide investors with added confidence in their investment.
IBIT leverages a multi-year technology integration developed with Coinbase Prime, the world's largest institutional digital asset custodian, which has $171B in institutional assets under custody as of March 31, 2024.
This integration provides a secure and reliable way to store and transfer bitcoin.
Investors can access bitcoin through the convenience of an exchange-traded product, helping remove the operational, tax, and custody complexities of holding bitcoin directly.
IBIT has been the most traded bitcoin exchange-traded product since launch, providing investors with potentially lower transaction costs and improved price discovery.
Low-Cost ETFs
If you're looking for a low-cost way to invest in Bitcoin ETFs, there are several options to consider.
The Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITS) has a fee of 0.65%, making it a great option for those on a budget.
This ETF is mostly invested in Bitcoin futures, and also has a small allocation to the Global X Blockchain ETF (BKCH).
For those willing to pay a bit more, the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) has a fee of 0.75% and is invested in Bitcoin mining stocks.
Here are the top 8 Bitcoin strategy ETFs by fee, listed from lowest to highest:
Custodianship Risk?
Custodianship risk is a concern with spot Bitcoin ETFs. Ten of the 12 currently trading spot Bitcoin ETFs use Coinbase as their Bitcoin custodian.
Coinbase's dominance in Bitcoin ETF custodianship has created concerns about custodianship risk. If Coinbase ran into severe financial trouble, the holdings of Bitcoin ETFs may not be safe.
There are mechanisms for recovering holdings in the event of a Coinbase bankruptcy, but they wouldn't be instant or automatic. The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund and the VanEck Bitcoin Trust are exceptions to Coinbase's dominance, using Fidelity and Gemini as custodians, respectively.
Investors should consider custodianship risk when shopping for a spot Bitcoin ETF.
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Industry Insights
IBIT is changing the game for bitcoin investing by expanding access to bitcoin investing through exchange-traded products.
Investors can now tap into the potential of bitcoin with greater ease and flexibility, thanks to IBIT.
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What Is the History of Bitcoin ETF?
The history of bitcoin ETFs is a story of slow but steady progress. Canada's first spot bitcoin ETF was listed in 2021.
The first bitcoin futures ETFs were listed in October 2021, marking a significant milestone in the US market. However, the SEC has resisted approving a spot bitcoin ETF, citing concerns about market manipulation.
A rejection of a spot bitcoin ETF proposal came as early as 2017, when Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss's bid was turned down. The SEC has been cautious in its approach, prioritizing investor protection.
A group of financial institutions, including BlackRock and Fidelity, are now seeking SEC approval for various spot bitcoin ETFs. This could be a turning point in the industry's history.
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The Price War
Ten different would-be spot Bitcoin ETF issuers filed forms with the SEC in January 2024, disclosing the fees they intend to charge.
Many Bitcoin ETFs are slashing their fees and offering limited-time promotional fee waivers, leading to a price war among issuers.
The flood of SEC filings continued until hours before the SEC's approval announcement, and may continue still, reflecting the ongoing price war.
Issuers are changing existing Bitcoin strategy ETFs into spot Bitcoin ETFs, adding to the competition and driving down fees.
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BlackRock's Role in BTC Rally
BlackRock's gold ETF, the second-largest gold fund globally, has been surpassed in assets by IBIT, a Bitcoin ETF. IBIT now holds more assets than BlackRock's gold ETF.
IBIT's success has marked a significant turning point for Bitcoin, potentially boosting its legitimacy and acceptance in the financial market. This success also played a significant role in pushing Bitcoin's price above $100,000 for the first time.
IBIT and other Bitcoin ETFs have contributed significantly to Bitcoin's 118% price rally this year. Since its launch, IBIT has had only nine days of outflows.
IBIT typically accounts for over 50% of the daily trading volume in the group.
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Ibit: The Game Changer
Ibit has made a significant impact on the world of Bitcoin investing, expanding access to this previously niche market.
IBIT now holds more assets than BlackRock's gold ETF, the second-largest gold fund globally.
Its success has been a game changer for Bitcoin, potentially boosting its legitimacy and acceptance in the financial market.
This has had a direct impact on Bitcoin's price, pushing it above $100,000 for the first time.
IBIT and other Bitcoin ETFs have contributed significantly to Bitcoin's 118% price rally this year.
The fund has had only nine days of outflows since its launch.
Typically, IBIT accounts for over 50% of the daily trading volume in the group.
This is a testament to its popularity and influence in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BlackRock's bitcoin ETF?
BlackRock's bitcoin ETF is called IBIT, a Bitcoin Trust that was launched this year with a strong debut. It has amassed over $50 billion in assets, making it one of the largest and most successful ETFs in history.
What is the 2x bitcoin strategy ETF?
The 2x Bitcoin strategy ETF aims to provide daily investment results that correspond to twice the daily performance of Bitcoin Futures Contracts, not direct investments in Bitcoin itself. This strategy seeks to benefit from daily price fluctuations in Bitcoin, offering a leveraged approach to tracking the cryptocurrency's market movements.
How much is the bitcoin ETF worth today?
The current price of the Bitcoin ETF is US$0.0003115. This price represents a slight decline from its 7-day high, but is still above its 7-day low.
Sources
- https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/ways-to-invest-in-bitcoin
- https://blockworks.co/bitcoin-etf
- https://www.ishares.com/us/products/333011/ishares-bitcoin-trust-etf
- https://coinpedia.org/news/blackrocks-ibit-etf-breaks-records-as-fastest-growing-crypto-fund-bloomberg/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/spot-bitcoin-etf
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