Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency created in 2009 by an unknown figure under the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. This cryptocurrency is built on the foundational principles of blockchain, which allows for a recorded unalterable, decentralized ledger of transactions to be maintained on a distributed network with no single point of failure.
Bitcoins are created through the “mining” process, which relies on specialized computers to solve math puzzles of ever-increasing complexity. There is a finite supply of just 21 million bitcoins, meaning no more can be mined once that number is reached. Most sources project that the last bitcoin will be mined in 2140. As of the beginning of 2024, some 19 million coins have already been mined.
Bitcoin has opened up the doors to pseudonymous transactions and more efficient transfer of capital across borders as well as created a new digital store of value. It has been a disruptive force since its creation, challenging the business models of financial services institutions and central banks alike. However, the bitcoin economy is still very much in its infancy, and its growth potential and inherent risks are very high.
Due to its volatility, it’s possible to reap extraordinary gains (and, of course, losses) in the short term by trading bitcoin. But there is still quite a bit of uncertainty among regulators over securely trading and holding bitcoin for most investors. Those risks made the Securities and Exchange Commission uneasy when it came to approving an ETF offering direct access to the cryptocurrency, even after other countries offered such products.
Funds that hold futures contracts on bitcoin were approved in the U.S. in October 2021, and investors could also get some access to bitcoin via funds investing in the equities of companies involved in the blockchain and crypto-related businesses. And after roughly a decade of lobbying, the SEC finally approved the first physical bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, with the first 10 funds launching on January 11, 2024, following a successful lawsuit by ETF issuer Grayscale.
To limit the list to physical, spot bitcoin ETFs, visit our Top Physical Bitcoin ETFs.
Click on the tabs below to see more information on Bitcoin ETFs, including historical performance, dividends, holdings, expense ratios, technical indicators, analysts reports and more. Click on an ETF ticker or name to go to its detail page, for in-depth news, financial data and graphs. By default the list is ordered by descending total market capitalization.
As of 02/07/25