Bitcoin ETFs

What are bitcoin ETFs?

Bitcoin ETFs are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that trade on Bitcoin futures. They are different from more traditional stock or commodity-based ETFs invested in equity or physically backed funds. That’s because they don’t offer actual exposure to Bitcoin—at least not yet.

In the most basic terms, an ETF is a security that tracks a commodity, index, sector or other asset—such as gold or cryptocurrency. As with traditional stocks, ETFs can be bought or sold on a stock exchange.

It’s worth noting that a Bitcoin ETF does not give you actual exposure to BTC but, rather, Bitcoin futures. As of early 2024, the current wave of BTC futures ETFs comprise a form of “synthetic” Bitcoin. Backed by a mix of securities and other assets as collateral, this synthetic Bitcoin is designed to deliver returns similar to Bitcoin’s actual returns during the period of the contract. It is somewhat ironic that the collateral held by BTC futures ETFs usually consists of treasury bills and fiat currencies, in addition to futures.

In other words, with a Bitcoin futures ETF, you’re betting on what the price of Bitcoin will be when a given contract expires.

Bitcoin ETF Pros

Easy to invest in via the stock market
Typically offer straightforward pricing
Familiar to those who prefer investing through traditional brokerages

Bitcoin ETF Cons

Can be more expensive than buying Bitcoin directly
Don’t offer exposure to actual Bitcoin
Potential illiquidity compared to holding actual BTC
Futures markets are highly speculative
Perhaps unlikely to outperform the actual day-to-day Bitcoin market
Contract lengths negate much of the long-term potential of HODLing

If you want exposure to crypto without the hassle of wallets or the tax reporting requirements associated with cryptocurrency investing, a self-directed IRA could be your better option. By investing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from an IRA account, you’re able to benefit from all the tax advantages associated with an IRA.

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about Alto.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Explore more terms

IRA

Stock market volatility

Traditional vs. Roth IRAs

©Alto Solutions, Inc. 2024 All Rights Reserved.

Alto Solutions, Inc. d/b/a AltoIRA (“Alto”) is an administrator of self-directed individual retirement accounts and is not a registered or licensed broker, dealer, broker-dealer, funding portal, cryptocurrency exchange, investment advisor or investment manager. Neither Alto nor any of its affiliates is an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided to Alto are by BankProv (Bank) Member FDIC / Member DIF. The FDIC insures each AltoIRA account holder up to $250,000 based on deposit insurance rules in the event of bank failure. Certain conditions must be met for pass-through insurance coverage to apply. The Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF) insures all deposits above the FDIC depositor limit when placed with BankProv. Securities and Crypto assets are not insured by the FDIC, may lose value, are not deposits or other obligations of the Bank, and are not guaranteed by the Bank. Alto does not control or monitor the operation or conduct of the Bank or any third-party investment platforms, funds, cryptocurrency exchanges or issuers, or their offerings. Whenever making an investment decision, investors should consult with their tax attorney or financial professional. Investors are responsible for conducting their own due diligence regarding investments, for using their Alto accounts in compliance with law, and for all tax and other risks and obligations arising from account transactions.

Alto Securities, LLC (“Alto Securities”) is a broker-dealer and may act as the placement agent of funds and other investments offered by issuers with which it has a relationship. Neither Alto nor Alto Securities nor any of their affiliates provide any investment advice or make any investment recommendations to any persons, ever, and no communication herein or otherwise shall be construed as investment advice or a recommendation about any specific security offering, investment, asset, or fund. Information provided on this website by Alto and its affiliates does not constitute an offer, nor the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to, any securities to any person in any jurisdiction. Any communication made by Alto or any of its affiliates with regard to opening or using an IRA account shall not be construed as a recommendation, call to action, or investment strategy to establish a particular account type (e.g. traditional, Roth, or SEP). Alto provides investors self-directed accounts and neither recommends an account type to investors for a fee as part of its services or products, nor advises customers in relation to the tax consequences of accounts, including but not limited to penalties associated with withdrawals, application of required minimum distributions, holdings of employer stock, and special features of an existing account.

Investing in private securities, cryptocurrencies, securitized assets, and other alternative investments (“Private Securities”) is intended for highly sophisticated investors and involves substantial risks. These risks include but are not limited to a lack of operating history, leverage, liquidity of the portfolio, segregated portfolio fund risk, diversification and concentration risk, and long-term investment risk. Furthermore, there is a risk that investors may receive little or no return on their investment or may lose part or all of their investment. For example, the success of a fund’s investment objective depends, in part, on the effective deployment of its assets by the managers of the fund. However, there can be no assurance that the managers will successfully achieve the fund’s investment objective or deliver positive returns.

Investing in Private Securities carries a high risk and is considered speculative. There is no guarantee that an issuer or its investment strategies will succeed under all market conditions. The success or failure of a fund, for example, and its value may be affected by numerous factors, including investment performance, realized and projected market returns, fluctuations in market interest rates, and other pertinent factors.

It is important to note with regard to any reference to high-net-worth individuals and institutions, that these investors often have substantial financial resources and longer investment horizons, which may differ from those of individual investors. Potential investors should carefully consider their own financial circumstances, risk tolerance, and investment objectives before participating in these opportunities. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments carry inherent risks. Diversification does not eliminate risk, and there is no guarantee of returns on investments. It is advisable to consult with financial professionals and conduct due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Alto Securities, LLC is a member of FINRA/SIPC

‍Where Alto Securities, LLC serves as the placement agent for the offering of a fund or other issuer, it will be compensated based on the investments made in the fund. Check the background of Alto Securities, LLC on FINRA BrokerCheck.

Alto®, The Alternative IRA®, the Alto logo and Alto CryptoIRA® are trademarks of AltoIRA.

All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.