Bitcoin E.T.F.s Come With Risks. Here’s What You Should Know. (2024)

Business|Bitcoin E.T.F.s Come With Risks. Here’s What You Should Know.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/business/bitcoin-etf-investing.html

Advertisem*nt

SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

Supported by

SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT

Federal regulators have made it easier for everyday investors to buy funds that track the price of Bitcoin, using traditional brokerage accounts. Most financial advisers remain skeptical.

Bitcoin E.T.F.s Come With Risks. Here’s What You Should Know. (1)

Nearly a dozen new investments funds that hold Bitcoin began trading last week, making it easier for anyone with a basic brokerage account to buy a slice of the digital currency.

Several established financial institutions, including Fidelity and BlackRock, have coalesced around Bitcoin because it is the world’s first and largest cryptocurrency.

But Bitcoin remains an enigma to most everyday investors, and it’s hard to separate the buzz from any true potential. It’s also wildly volatile.

In other words, it’s a bet. And institutions are wagering that plenty of investors want in.

But putting crypto into a traditional investment wrapper does not paper over the underlying risks. Here’s a look at how it works:

What is an exchange-traded fund?

Exchange-traded funds are similar to mutual funds, but they can be traded on an exchange like a stock. E.T.F.s track the performance of the assets they hold, which might include a diversified basket of securities like stock or bonds, or even single commodities, like gold, silver and crypto.

They were initially designed to track indexes (like the S&P 500) or spheres of the market, and were heralded for their low costs and tax efficiency. But they’ve grown in popularity in recent years. Many E.T.F.s now track narrower and more esoteric slices of the markets, while others use leverage to magnify bets on a specific stock or sector or the market overall.

What is a Bitcoin E.T.F.?

The Bitcoin exchange-traded products that recently started trading are designed to track Bitcoin’s price, minus the fees and cost of trading. This throws open the gates to any investors with a traditional brokerage account who can now buy the shares as if they were buying stock in Apple or Google.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit andlog intoyour Times account, orsubscribefor all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?Log in.

Want all of The Times?Subscribe.

Advertisem*nt

SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT

Bitcoin E.T.F.s Come With Risks. Here’s What You Should Know. (2024)

FAQs

Bitcoin E.T.F.s Come With Risks. Here’s What You Should Know.? ›

‍Extreme Volatility: Bitcoin is notorious for its substantial price fluctuations, making ETFs that track its price inherently high-risk investments. Investors must be prepared for the possibility of significant and rapid losses. ‍Regulatory Uncertainty: This space for cryptocurrencies is constantly evolving.

What are the risks of Bitcoin ETF? ›

The primary risk of spot Bitcoin ETFs lies in Bitcoin's inherent volatility, which can lead to significant fluctuations in the ETF value. Investors must be prepared for rapid price changes and potential losses. Additionally, ETF management involves fees, such as expense ratios, which can impact overall returns.

Is it a good idea to invest in Bitcoin ETFs? ›

Investing in crypto ETFs is not without risk. The market is volatile, with prices fluctuating significantly in short periods.

What is the best ETF for Bitcoin? ›

  • iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)
  • ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO)
  • Roundhill Bitcoin Covered Call Strategy ETF (YBTC)
  • Global X Blockchain ETF (BKCH)
  • VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT)
  • ProShares UltraShort Bitcoin ETF (SBIT)
  • ProShares Ultra Bitcoin ETF (BITU)
Jul 8, 2024

What is the biggest risk in ETF? ›

1. Market risk. The single biggest risk in ETFs is market risk.

What is happening with Bitcoin ETFs? ›

In the USA, the SEC's approach to Bitcoin ETFs initially involved compromises, favouring futures ETFs due to their perceived lower volatility and lower risk of price manipulation. However, a court ruling in August 2023 compelled the SEC to authorise spot ETFs, leading to a significant market rally.

Is my money safe in an ETF? ›

Key Takeaways. ETFs can be safe investments if used correctly, offering diversification and flexibility. Indexed ETFs, tracking specific indexes like the S&P 500, are generally safe and tend to gain value over time. Leveraged ETFs can be used to amplify returns, but they can be riskier due to increased volatility.

Should I add Bitcoin ETF to my portfolio? ›

Another form of diversification is investing in assets with low correlation. Assets with low correlation tend to move in different directions, so for instance when stocks are up, Bitcoin or a Bitcoin-linked ETF tend to be down. This further diversifies your portfolio, and can help you weather market bumps over time.

Is there a downside to ETFs? ›

ETFs trade throughout the day at a price close to the price of the underlying securities, so if the price is significantly higher or lower than the net asset value, arbitrage will bring the price back in line. One minor risk of ETFs (though not unique to them) is shutdown risk, or the risk that an ETF will close.

Are the Bitcoin ETFs insured? ›

SIPC typically protects consumers from brokerages going bankrupt. It doesn't, however, protect them from investing in companies (or funds, like ETFs) that subsequently collapse due to market forces. SIPC simply insures the shares of bitcoin ETFs.

What is the most successful Bitcoin ETF of all time? ›

BlackRock's $20 Billion IBIT Fund Is World's Biggest Bitcoin (BTC) ETF - Bloomberg.

Will Bitcoin ETF pay dividends? ›

No, spot Bitcoin ETFs do not pay dividends, as Bitcoins do not generate any income.

Are Bitcoin ETF fees annual? ›

AUM: Assets under management tell you how big the Bitcoin ETF is. Management Fee: The fee that the issuer charges annually for investing in the fund. This fee covers fund management, marketing, and other expenses and is automatically withdrawn from your brokerage account.

Can ETFs go to zero? ›

Yes, an inverse ETF can reach zero, particularly over long periods. Market volatility, compounding effects, and fund management concerns can exacerbate losses. To successfully manage possible risks, investors should be aware of the short-term nature of these securities and carefully monitor their holdings.

What happens when an ETF shuts down? ›

Because the ETF is a separate legal entity from the issuer that manages it, the ETF will control all the assets in its portfolio up until the date set for its liquidation, at which point the manager will sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to investors.

What are some aggressive ETFs? ›

ETF List: 3 ETFs
TickerFund NameIssuer
AOAiShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETFBlackrock
EAOAiShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETFBlackrock
TAEQTrend Aggregation U.S. ETFTuttle Tactical Management, LLC

What are the risks of 3x ETF? ›

3x ETFs get their leverage by using derivatives, which introduce another set of risks. Since they maintain a fixed level of leverage, 3x ETFs eventually face complete collapse if the underlying index declines more than 33% on a single day.

Can Bitcoin ETF be shorted? ›

There is no stock that shorts Bitcoin, but there are exchange-traded funds that do so. Funds that short assets are generally called inverse funds because they attempt to return the inverse of falling prices. Proshares Short Bitcoin Strategy ETF is one of these funds.

What are the risks of ETF currency? ›

In general, much like other ETFs, when you sell an ETF, if the foreign currency has appreciated against the dollar, you will earn a profit. On the other hand, if the ETF's currency or underlying index has gone down relative to the dollar, you'll end up with a loss.

What is the biggest risk with investing in Bitcoin? ›

A cryptocurrency's value can change constantly and dramatically. An investment that may be worth thousands of dollars today could be worth only hundreds tomorrow. If the value goes down, there's no guarantee that it will rise again. Nothing about cryptocurrencies makes them a foolproof investment.

Top Articles
Can I delete my account? | easyMoney Help Center
Usługi Minikoparką, Wypożyczalnia Maszyn Budowlanych i Ogrodniczych - Grodzisk Mazowiecki | DAWOS
Davita Internet
Ffxiv Palm Chippings
Research Tome Neltharus
Valley Fair Tickets Costco
Mohawkind Docagent
Emmalangevin Fanhouse Leak
Mndot Road Closures
Erskine Plus Portal
13 The Musical Common Sense Media
World Cup Soccer Wiki
Craigslist Heavy Equipment Knoxville Tennessee
Edible Arrangements Keller
Slag bij Plataeae tussen de Grieken en de Perzen
Oscar Nominated Brings Winning Profile to the Kentucky Turf Cup
Love In The Air Ep 9 Eng Sub Dailymotion
Leader Times Obituaries Liberal Ks
Committees Of Correspondence | Encyclopedia.com
Huntersville Town Billboards
Timeforce Choctaw
Ford F-350 Models Trim Levels and Packages
Routing Number For Radiant Credit Union
Bn9 Weather Radar
City Of Durham Recycling Schedule
Urbfsdreamgirl
Truvy Back Office Login
Table To Formula Calculator
Sandals Travel Agent Login
Orange Park Dog Racing Results
Neteller Kasiinod
Maths Open Ref
DIY Building Plans for a Picnic Table
Have you seen this child? Caroline Victoria Teague
Steven Batash Md Pc Photos
Tamil Play.com
Atlantic Broadband Email Login Pronto
Spinning Gold Showtimes Near Emagine Birch Run
Oreillys Federal And Evans
Asian Grocery Williamsburg Va
Afspraak inzien
Directions To 401 East Chestnut Street Louisville Kentucky
Academic important dates - University of Victoria
Gpa Calculator Georgia Tech
Housing Intranet Unt
T&Cs | Hollywood Bowl
St Vrain Schoology
Online College Scholarships | Strayer University
Nurses May Be Entitled to Overtime Despite Yearly Salary
Understanding & Applying Carroll's Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility
Unpleasant Realities Nyt
Tyrone Unblocked Games Bitlife
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6426

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.