The long-awaited SEC approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs arrived on January 11, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in Bitcoin’s evolution. These ETFs, now tradable across major exchanges, offer institutional-grade exposure to Bitcoin without direct custody challenges. Below, we break down the key details, issuers, fees, and market implications.
Approved Bitcoin ETFs at a Glance
| ETF Name | Ticker | Issuer | Exchange |
|------------------------|--------|----------------------|----------|
| ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | ARKB | ARK Invest & 21Shares | CBOE |
| Bitwise Bitcoin ETP Trust | BITB | Bitwise | NYSE |
| Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust | FBTC | Fidelity | CBOE |
| Franklin Bitcoin ETF | EZBC | Franklin | CBOE |
| Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF | BTCO | Invesco & Galaxy | CBOE |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust | IBIT | BlackRock | Nasdaq |
| Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund | BRRR | Valkyrie | Nasdaq |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | HODL | VanEck | CBOE |
| WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust | BTCW | WisdomTree | CBOE |
👉 Compare Bitcoin ETF fees side-by-side
Key Issuers and Their Offerings
1. ARK Invest & 21Shares (ARKB)
- Expense Ratio: 0.21%
- AUM: $10.3M (launch)
- Custodian: Coinbase
2. Bitwise (BITB)
- Expense Ratio: 0.20% (first 6 months free)
- AUM: $240.4M
- Unique Feature: Waived fees for early adopters.
3. BlackRock (IBIT)
- Expense Ratio: 0.25%
- AUM: $497.9M
- Notable: Rapid accumulation of BTC holdings post-launch.
👉 Why BlackRock’s entry matters for crypto
Market Dynamics Post-Launch
Grayscale’s GBTC Outflows
- GBTC, converted from a trust, saw significant outflows ($175M in BTC moved on Day 1).
- Higher fees (1.50%) compared to new ETFs drove investor migration.
Fee Wars
- Lowest Fee: BITB (0.20%).
- Highest Fee: GBTC (1.50%).
- Seven ETFs temporarily waived fees to attract early investors.
FAQs
Q: Is Grayscale’s GBTC the first Bitcoin ETF?
A: Technically no—it’s a conversion of the pre-existing Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (launched in 2013).
Q: Which platform banned Bitcoin ETF trading?
A: Vanguard, citing misalignment with traditional asset classes.
Q: What’s next for Bitcoin’s price?
A: Uncertain. BlackRock’s aggressive BTC accumulation hints at institutional confidence, but market volatility persists.
Conclusion
The Bitcoin ETF launch democratizes access to BTC for traditional investors, but fee structures and platform policies will shape long-term adoption. Stay updated with real-time data directly from issuer websites.
👉 Track Bitcoin ETF flows live
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