How Spot Bitcoin ETFs Work: Are They Right for You?

A bitcoin against a colorful abstract background. — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Bitcoin has had a phenomenal journey from a niche digital currency to a trillion-dollar asset class in a 15-year period.

The January 2024 approval of 11 spot bitcoin ETFs was a watershed moment, presenting investors with a gateway to being able to invest in bitcoin through their traditional investment accounts. We expect this will continue to boost broader investor adoption of bitcoin and attract investors who previously did not want to open a digital wallet or a digital asset custodial account. The approval of 11 products all at once can seem overwhelming, so the following guide can be used as a tool for investors who are interested in adding these types of investments to their portfolio.

Understanding spot bitcoin ETFs

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a type of pooled investment security that can be bought and sold much like an individual stock. The main difference between an ETF and a mutual fund is that though a mutual fund is also a pooled investment, it trades only once a day after markets close. An ETF can be structured to track anything from the price of an individual commodity to a large and diverse collection of securities. ETFs can even be designed to track specific investment strategies.

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A spot bitcoin ETF is a breakthrough financial vehicle that tracks the current price of bitcoin, providing a simplified investment approach without the complications of direct ownership. In contrast to mutual funds that trade once at the end of the day, these ETFs operate similarly to stocks, allowing for real-time trading, adding flexibility to investment strategies.

Spot bitcoin ETFs operate by securing and holding actual bitcoin, stored in secure digital wallets by custodians. These custodians play a crucial role in safeguarding assets, employing sophisticated security measures such as cold storage to mitigate theft risks.

Bitcoin trades 24/7 throughout the world, but remember, the 11 spot products that were approved will trade only when markets are open, even though their underlying investment will be trading all of the time. For example, if you are looking at the spot price on a weekend, you will not see the ETF price changing until markets open the coming week.

A closer look at the approved spot bitcoin ETFs

The selection of SEC-approved spot bitcoin ETFs comes with various expense ratios and fees, tailored to meet different investment profiles. To entice investors, some offer limited-time fee waivers or reductions. Some of those ETFs include:

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). No fees for six months, until hitting $1 billion in assets.
Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC). Fees waived until July 31, 2024.
Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC). No fees until August 2, 2024, or until reaching $10 billion in assets.
Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO). Zero fees for the first six months, or until $5 billion in assets is accumulated.
Others, including the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), have opted not to offer fee waivers.

Investors should carefully consider all fees and terms before making investment decisions and do research or talk to a professional before choosing to invest. Since these products are designed to track the performance of spot bitcoin, we recommend not solely focusing on fees to make a decision on which one to buy. If the product is low-cost but doesn’t track very tightly to the performance of bitcoin, then you are incurring a “cost” in addition to the stated fee.

Risk assessment and considerations

Investors must carefully weigh the risks associated with spot bitcoin ETFs, including regulatory uncertainties, custody arrangements, fees and price volatility. This is still an emerging asset class and will likely have big price moves day-to-day that we don’t think can be timed.

If clients express interest in having bitcoin exposure, we will generally recommend about 1% to 2% of the portfolio to start. This allows investors to acclimate to the high volatility. We emphasize that even if bitcoin were to hit zero, with a 1% to 2% portfolio allocation, it would not significantly impact their overall portfolio return in the long run. With an asset that can move in short periods of time +100%, a small allocation will still provide benefits to overall performance of the entire portfolio. A little can go a long way with this type of investment.

If clients want to have the ability to move bitcoin to a wallet, they won’t be able to do that with an ETF. Some investors prefer to be able to control the token vs having it wrapped in an ETF with other investors. Think of it this way: You can buy a gold coin and store it on your own, or you can buy an ETF with gold as its sole holding.

If at any point there are unrealized losses that an investor wants to harvest for tax reasons, they are subject to abiding to the same wash sale rules of securities. If you sell the bitcoin ETF, the way the IRS rules are written, you have to stay out of it for 30 days if you want to book the loss on this transaction. Selling one spot bitcoin ETF and buying another that invests identically is likely going to be a violation of the wash sale rule.

It is unclear at this point how custodians will monitor this on investor 1099s and how it will be enforced. If they own the token directly and harvest it, they can buy it back immediately under current tax rules, which is a notable difference vs using an ETF.

A shift in sentiment

The approval of spot bitcoin ETFs signifies a significant shift in regulatory sentiment toward digital assets. While this marks a milestone, uncertainties remain regarding future approvals and regulatory developments.

As the digital asset landscape continues to evolve, informed decision-making remains paramount for navigating the complexities of this dynamic market. If you have interest in learning more, speak to your financial adviser about your risk tolerance with an investment like this and what place bitcoin may have in your portfolio.

Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors, LLC (“HH”) is an SEC registered investment adviser located in Long Beach, California. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional information about HH, including our registration status, fees, and services can be found at www.halberthargrove.com. This blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. It should not be construed as a solicitation to offer personal securities transactions or provide personalized investment advice. The information provided does not constitute any legal, tax or accounting advice. We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Brian Spinelli is the Co-Chief Investment Officer at Halbert Hargrove, based in the firm's Scottsdale office. He plays a key role in running the firm's investment committee as well as advising individuals and institutions on their investment and wealth advisory needs. He is the co-host of Halbert Hargrove's Fearless Money Talks podcast and is a primary resource for advisers and clients, offering insights into capital markets and investment solutions, and regularly represents the firm's perspective in the media.