Buying crypto used to be kind of a pain.
You had to sign up on a potentially sketchy exchange, send your money into the void, and pray you didn’t mess up your wallet address.
And even then, you still had to figure out how to store it. Cold wallet? Hot wallet? USB stick? Tattoo on your forearm?
But in 2024, everything changed.
The SEC finally approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, and a few months later, Ethereum ETFs followed.
That move brought crypto right into the traditional finance world. No more hopping through hoops just to get some exposure. Now, you can buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with the same ease as buying Apple stock. Seriously.
And people jumped on it. Fast.
Some of these ETFs pulled in billions of dollars in just weeks. BlackRock’s fund alone is already managing over $30 billion. That’s real money flowing in from retail traders and Wall Street giants alike.
So if you’re sitting there wondering:
“What’s the smartest way to invest in crypto right now…without actually buying crypto?”
This guide is for you. Let’s dive in!
Quick summary: Best crypto ETFs to Buy in 2025
I’m going to walk you through 8 of the best crypto ETFs to invest in for 2025. I’ll be covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain stocks, and even one international pick for those of you outside the U.S.
1. BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)
Category: Spot Bitcoin ETF
This is the king of crypto ETFs right now. No games, no gimmicks, just pure Bitcoin exposure, wrapped in a shiny BlackRock bow.
IBIT launched in January 2024 and wasted no time making history. It became the fastest-growing ETF launch ever, across any asset class, pulling in billions within weeks.
As of now, it’s sitting on more than $30 billion in assets, which puts it comfortably at the top of the pile.
Why does that matter?
Because money follows trust. And when the biggest asset manager on the planet says, “Yeah, we’ll back this,” the rest of the market tends to listen. IBIT offers direct exposure to Bitcoin’s price, and you don’t have to deal with private keys, seed phrases, or panic if your Ledger goes missing.
It’s also cheap. It’s just 0.25% in fees, which is lower than most crypto exchange fees.
So, if you believe in Bitcoin long-term but don’t want to deal with the techy stuff (or the security risks), this is your move. Buy it through your regular brokerage account and let BlackRock handle the backend.
Bottom line:If you want clean, simple, and scalable exposure to Bitcoin, IBIT is it.
2. Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC)
Category: Spot Bitcoin ETF
If BlackRock’s IBIT is the king, FBTC is the crown prince. And it’s not far behind.
Launched the same week as IBIT (January 2024), Fidelity’s spot Bitcoin ETF quickly climbed to the #2 spot in terms of inflows.
It’s already managing billions and has become almost a default choice for investors who want Bitcoin exposure but prefer to stick with a name they’ve trusted for decades.
There’s no denying it, a lot of people don’t feel warm and fuzzy about sending their savings to a random crypto exchange. But Fidelity? That’s the company managing grandma’s retirement.
That kind of legacy backing goes a long way. That kind of legacy makes FBTC one of the best spot Bitcoin ETFs to buy.
Just like IBIT, this fund gives you 1:1 exposure to Bitcoin’s price, minus the complexity. No hardware wallets. No stress. No dealing with addresses or keys. Just log into your brokerage and you’re in.
And the fees? 0.35%. Slightly higher than BlackRock’s IBIT. Competitive, clean, and fair.
So, if you’re a little more conservative or you simply want your crypto investment to sit alongside your S&P 500 holdings in the same account, FBTC is a strong, no-drama pick.
Bottom line: Fidelity built this ETF for the cautious optimist: the kind of investor who wants exposure to Bitcoin, but with a little peace of mind baked in.
3. ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO)
Category: Bitcoin Futures ETF
Before spot Bitcoin ETFs were even a thing, there was BITO.
Launched back in October 2021, this was the very first US Bitcoin ETF to hit the market. And while it doesn’t hold actual Bitcoin, it still got people’s attention..
Instead of owning BTC directly, BITO tracks CME-traded Bitcoin futures contracts. That means it’s more about the price trend than the actual asset.
Now, here’s the thing: Because it’s futures-based, BITO can sometimes drift away from the real BTC price. It’s not always 1:1. You’ve also got to factor in something called roll costs (basically the price of renewing futures contracts over time). So it’s not perfect.
But it is liquid. Very liquid. High trading volume, tight spreads, and easy to get in and out of. Plus, thanks to how it’s structured, it falls under Section 1256. This can mean a friendlier tax treatment for active traders in the US.
That’s why BITO still hangs around, even now that spot ETFs are on the table.
Plus, BITO is one of the best crypto etfs with dividends.
Bottom line: If you’re more of a short-term trader or you’re optimizing for taxes, BITO still earns its place. Just know what you’re getting.
4. BlackRock iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA)
Category: Spot Ethereum ETF
The fourth spot on this list goes to the first spot Ethereum ETF. Bitcoin might get all the headlines, but Ethereum is where the real innovation’s happening. And now, thanks to ETHA, you can get exposure without ever touching a crypto wallet.
ETHA is BlackRock’s answer to the Ethereum crowd. It dropped in mid-2024, as part of the first wave of spot ETH ETFs, and just like IBIT did with Bitcoin…this one’s expected to dominate the ETH scene too.
The fee is the same as their Bitcoin ETF: it’s 0.25% Very affordable and competitive.
The real reason to pay attention?
Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, but it’s not just a coin. It’s a full-blown ecosystem. It powers DeFi apps, NFTs, smart contracts, and whatever new buzzword pops up in 2025.
If you believe in where crypto is going, and not just where it’s been, this ETF lets you ride that wave, minus the tech requirements.
No MetaMask. No gas fees. Just straight-up ETH exposure from your brokerage app.
Bottom line: If you’re bullish on Ethereum’s future, and want a clean, regulated way to invest in it, ETHA is your starting point.
5. Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE)
Category: Spot Ethereum ETF
This one’s got a bit of history behind it.
ETHE didn’t show up in 2024 like the rest. Iit actually started way back in 2019 as a private trust.
For years, it was one of the only ways US investors could get Ethereum exposure through a brokerage account. In 2024, it finally converted into a full-fledged spot ETF, and brought its massive ETH stack with it.
And when I say massive, I mean it. Grayscale is still one of the largest holders of Ethereum in the world. Institutions know it. Long-term holders trust it.
But (and this is a big “but)” it comes with a 1.5% fee, which is definitely on the high side compared to newer ETFs like ETHA or FETH.
So why bother?
Well, some investors are already in. Others value Grayscale’s reputation as an OG in the crypto ETF space. And some just like the idea of sticking with the fund that’s weathered the bull and bear cycles since ETH was trading under $200.
Bottom line: If you don’t mind the higher fee and you want battle-tested Ethereum exposure, ETHE is still a heavyweight.
6. Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (BLOK)
Category: Blockchain Equity ETF
Let’s say you like the idea of crypto…but not so much the coins themselves. Maybe you don’t trust the volatility. Or maybe you’d just rather own actual companies that are building the crypto world, not the tokens floating around inside it.
That’s what BLOK can provide.
Launched way back in 2018, BLOK is one of the OG blockchain ETFs, and it takes a different route: Instead of tracking Bitcoin or Ethereum, it invests in the companies powering the crypto economy.
These are companies like Coinbase, MicroStrategy, Riot Platforms, Marathon Digital. You get the idea.
It’s actively managed, which means there’s a team behind the scenes constantly tweaking the portfolio to stay on top of new trends. That can be good (if they’re smart) or not-so-good (if they chase hype), but BLOK has held its own and grown to over $1 billion in assets.
The fees are standing at 0.70%.
No hardware wallets. No gas fees. Just stocks in a familiar ETF wrapper.
Bottom line: If you want crypto exposure without actually holding crypto, BLOK gives you the stock market version of the blockchain boom.
7. VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP)
Category: Blockchain Equity ETF
If BLOK is the active, hands-on approach to blockchain stocks, DAPP is more of a “set it and forget it” kind of deal.
Launched in 2021, this ETF takes a passive approach, tracking an index of companies that are deep in the crypto space. These are exchanges like Coinbase, miners like Marathon Digital, and firms like Galaxy Digital that operate at the heart of the blockchain world.
There is no daily portfolio tinkering, just a clear basket of companies that rise and fall with the crypto tide.
And because it’s passively managed, it comes in cheaper than BLOK, which can be a big win if you’re fee-conscious. It’s fee is 0.51%.
Now, fair warning: DAPP tends to move with the market. It means when crypto moons, DAPP usually rallies hard…but when things crash? Yeah, it feels that too. You’re getting equity exposure, but it’s still tied closely to the crypto rollercoaster.
Bottom line: DAPP is a lean, no-frills way to bet on crypto companies . It’s perfect if you want to be exposed to crypto without owning actual coins.
8. Purpose Bitcoin ETF (BTCC.TO)
Category: International Spot Bitcoin ETF (Canada)
Before the US even thought about approving spot Bitcoin ETFs, Canada was already there. And BTCC.TO was first on the scene.
Launched in February 2021, this was the world’s very first spot Bitcoin ETF. And it’s still going strong. While it doesn’t get the same media hype as IBIT or FBTC, BTCC has something they don’t: a long-term performance track record.
It’s listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, which means it’s super accessible for Canadian investors, or US investors with a brokerage that lets them buy international stocks. (To be clear: not all do, so double-check.)
The fees are on the higher end, though, standing at 1%.
One thing BTCC does really well? Tracking NAV. That means the price of the ETF stays tightly aligned with the actual price of Bitcoin, which hasn’t always been the case with other crypto funds.
And while its AUM isn’t massive compared to, for example, BlackRock’s juggernaut, it’s earned respect in the space for doing spot exposure right before it was cool.
Bottom line: If you’re outside the US, or just want a Bitcoin ETF with a longer history, BTCC is a solid, no-nonsense choice.
FAQ
What is a crypto ETF?
A crypto ETF is a fund that lets you invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum through a traditional brokerage. Wallets or exchanges are not needed. It tracks either the price of the coin directly (spot ETF) or indirectly via futures or blockchain stocks.
What’s the best crypto ETF with dividends?
That would be ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). It’s one of the few crypto ETFs that actually pays monthly distributions, thanks to the gains it earns from Bitcoin futures contracts.
While spot Bitcoin ETFs typically don’t offer any income, BITO is great for dividend-seeking investors who still want crypto exposure with a little cash flow on the side.
Are crypto ETFs a good investment?
They can be, if they fit your strategy. Crypto ETFs offer easier access, lower risk of theft, and regulatory protection compared to holding crypto directly. Just know they still follow the same volatility as the underlying assets, so they’re not “steady”.
The bottom line and 2025 outlook
Crypto ETFs have come a long way, and fast.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs are now the default option for long-term exposure, while Ethereum ETFs, though newer, are gaining traction quickly.
Futures-based ETFs like BITO still serve a purpose for traders or those optimizing for taxes.
And if you prefer to stick to stocks? Blockchain equity ETFs like BLOK or DAPP let you invest in crypto through publicly traded companies.
Outside the US BTCC remains a strong pick, especially for Canadian investors or anyone wanting a longer performance history.
Looking ahead, things could get even more interesting. Altcoin ETFs, like Solana, XRP, even Cardano, are very real possibilities in the near future.. We might also see new thematic funds focused on DeFi, staking rewards, or AI/blockchain crossovers.
Ultimately, pick the ETF that fits your style. It can be direct coin exposure, stock-based plays, or something in between. Just match it to your goals, timeline, and how hands-on you want (or don’t want) to be
