Crypto ETFs – A Good Investment?

Why a swarm of Crypto ETFs is enjoying an astonishing start in 2023?

What are Crypto ETFs?

Firstly, Crypto ETFs offer a way to invest at a lower cost and lesser risk. Unlike regular ETFs

Unlike regular ETFs which track a basket of stocks or an index, crypto ETFs typically track one or two digital assets.

Essentially, these are liquid and can be traded just like regular stocks, and are accessible through most international brokerages.

2 Types of Crypto ETFs

1. Firstly, the one backed by crypto derivatives like future contracts. Most ETFs today fall into this category.
2. The second type is the ones that buy physical cryptos. Essentially, the fund directly buys the cryptos from the exchange and investors get the price benefit by holding shares of the fund.

The first such ETF (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF or BTC) was launched in 2021.

Read More Crypto Staking – How to Earn Passive Income ? 2023

Why these have rebounded in 2023?

First and foremost, cryptocurrency ETFs have produced strong returns so far this year. Thereby, making them the top-performing class in the exchange-traded-fund universe in 2023.

Of course, it is merely a rebound from the depths of last year’s crypto crash, which wiped out $1 trillion in value from the crypto market. As scandals such as the downfall of the FTX exchange triggered a slide in the prices of digital currencies.

Especially, Bitcoin world’s biggest cryptocurrency dropped 65% to around $16,500 by year’s end.

Additionally, the $3.9mn Valkyrie Bitcoin miners ETF has led the way with a 101% return since the turn of the year to put it simply.

But a flock of rival funds has also chalked up gains of between 40 & 80%.

Further, most of these ETFs are still well below water for longer-term investors. Especially, having been pummelled by last year’s “crypto winter” and the broader sell-off in technology stocks.

But the nascent rally does point to the niche sector’s ability to bounce back owing to its inherent volatility.

Further, the partial recovery has also been echoed, albeit in a more modest fashion by some technology funds.

For instance Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK). Further, it has risen 25% so far this year, putting it on track to potentially record its strongest monthly return ever.

Initially, having plummeted by 75% during the course of 2021 and 2022.

Chiefly, the recovery in crypto ETFs has been propelled by putative signs of life in the crypto market.

Especially, with Bitcoin having rallied 38% by January 27 to $22.900, after an unusually long period of rangebound trading.

Essentially, having crafted from an all-time high of nearly $70,000 in November 2021. Further, Solana, a smaller digital token, has jumped by 145%.

Additionally, this rebound has been attributed to signs that inflation might have peaked, particularly in the U.S.

Thereby, potentially allowing global interest rates to peak at lower levels and paving the way for more “risk-on” investment strategies.

Actually, these were some of them, if not the, worst performing ETFs in 2022, so they can bounce back sharply, in part, because Bitcoin and other cryptos themselves have bounced back.

Especially, it’s effectively high stakes, gambling with high risk and potentiality of high rewards for you as an investor.

Read More Crypto Yield Farming – How It Works?

Why ESG regulatory scrutiny is expected to slow down Crypto ETFs development.

Firstly, the growth of environmental, social, and governance-focused exchange-traded funds is set to encounter difficulties as a result of increased regulatory scrutiny, leading industry figures have warned.

Essentially, it will take time for index providers and managers to “work their way” through ESG regulations in terms of “rebalancing the index and closing the data gap”.

Secondly, the growth of ESG ETFs faced challenges as regulatory scrutiny began to “make an impact” on the product development process.

Further, there will be “potential delays or reigns of product ideas” as regulatory changes within the market make an impact on the product development process.

Most importantly, if stricter ratings drop a product to a much lower rating, it may not be appealing to institutional clients. Especially, which is the largest and most impactful base in Europe.

In 2022, ESG ETFs accounted for 65% of inflows into European ETFs according to Morningstar.

Furthermore, for investors’ sustainability goals, asset managers will be required to be more innovative and will need a huge amount of diligence.

Read More Crypto Startups – Amazing 7 Startups

Advantages of Crypto ETFs?

1.No need for a Wallet – Firstly, one can invest in crypto by creating an account or wallet on any crypto exchange. Secondly, you can just open an account on an international investing platform and invest in these ETFs.

2. No currency conversion- Chiefly, avoidance of owning a wallet, saves one from the hassle of currency conversion. When you open a wallet, you have to transfer money from your bank account to your wallet and convert it into digital tokens, before purchasing the cryptocurrency.

This sounds easy, does it not? But in reality, it is intimidating for many. Additionally, some banks do not approve the transfer of cash to crypto wallets. ETFs have no such issue as you purchase them from a regular investing account.

3. Lower cost of Ownership- Secondly buying crypto through a wallet will make one incur charges like annual fees, custodian charges, transaction fees, and network charges.

Further, all these can be avoided to a large extent by taking the ETF route. These enable buying in smaller ticket sizes.

4. Lower risk of Ownership – Essentially, there is always a security risk in buying crypto through wallets. Additionally, there are many instances of hacking in wallets on account of keys being lost and stolen. Further, ETF investors are safeguarded from these risks to a large extent.

5. Lower learning Curve – There is quite a bit of jargon, like mining, staking, wallet, etc. that one needs to be familiar with while investing in crypto.

Read More Crypto – How To Earn Money – 5 Best Crypto

Disadvantages of Crypto ETFs?

a.Trading fees

b.Operating expenses

c. Low trading volume

d. Tracking errors

e. Potentially less diversification

f. Hidden risks

g. Lack of liquidity

What is the Largest ETF for Crypto?

Essentially, the largest Cryptocurrency ETF is the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF BITO with $944.54<M in assets.

Further, in the last trailing year, the best-performing Crypto ETF was BTC. Additionally, the most recent ETF launched in the crypto space was the Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETFBTC on 03/21/2023.

Read More Crypto Market – How to Find Pullback?

Which is riskier Stocks or ETFs?

Firstly, both stocks and ETFs provide investors with dividends. Further, each is traded during the day on stock exchanges.

Moreover, individual stocks are much riskier but can yield higher returns. Whereas ETFs are relatively low risk and provide stable if less profitable returns.

Is there a Blockchain ETF?

Firstly, The Global X Blockchain ETF (BKCH) is a passively manages fund that invests in companies positioned to benefit from the adoption of blockchain technology.

Additionally, this includes crypto mining companies, crypto exchanges, and companies developing new blockchain applications.

FTX fiasco set back the approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs?

Chiefly, regulators in the United States have mounted stiff opposition against listing Bitcoin spot ETFs even though Canadian and European regulators have given the green light.

Secondly, there are 2 major issues U.S. regulators have with Bitcoin spot ETFs.

a. Custody- The chief investment officer believes that the custody issue would have been dealt with if not for the FTX fiasco.

Essentially, it caused the regulators to take a step back to scrutinize whether custodians are safe before approving more Bitcoin investment products.

b. Market manipulation – Secondly, companies like Valkyrie Investments are actively working with regulators to answer major questions surrounding the safety of Bitcoin Spot ETFs.

Essentially, Valkyrie has been educating regulators on how custody works and sharing notes on due diligence done by the company on various custodians.

Especially, which picked up red flags in some of the companies that went bust last year.

Read More Crypto Market – How To Profit off AI To Make Money?

5 Best ETFs to Buy right now

Despite a series of high-profile meltdowns in 2022, interest in cryptocurrencies continues to hold strong.

Year to date, the price of Bitcoin is up roughly 50% as of Feb. 21, as crypto investors begin to thaw from the severe losses incurred during the 2022 “crypto winter.”

However, for new investors looking to explore cryptocurrencies, the barriers to entry can be daunting. The technical know-how required for self-custody and “being your own bank” isn’t for everyone.

A way around this is via exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, that track crypto assets. These ETFs can potentially provide greater transparency and regulation compared with regular crypto.

But unlike regular crypto, they can also be held in tax-sheltered accounts like a Roth IRA. Here are seven of the best cryptocurrency ETFs to buy in 2023.

Firstly, finding the best ETFs to buy in a high-inflation environment can seem like a tall task, but these five picks are a good place to start.

Basically, Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer you a variety of different strategies to prepare for whatever the market throws at you.

For instance, rising interest rates, geographical uncertainty, economic instability, etc.

Additionally, as the first quarter of 2023 rounds up, there is at least a modest turmoil and volatility of last year. Further, stocks are higher in the year so far and investor confidence is returning.

Surely, it does not mean it is back to business as usual. Essentially as many of the factors that drove the bear market in 2022 are still very much alive and well today.

And the top of the list is inflation.

1. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Type: Large Fund

Assets under management $64.4 billion

Dividend Yield:1.9 %

Expenses: 0.069%, or $6 annually for every $10,000 invested. Further, the index includes the top 25 % of highest-yielding eligible companies from the index in order to avoid “yield traps” or companies at risk of cutting their dividends.

Essentially, the dividend in this case is less about raw yield and more about quality.

2. SPDR Gold MiniShares

Type: Commodities focused

Assets under management: $5.6 billion

Dividend yield: 0.00%

Expenses: 0.10%

Firstly, gold has traditionally been a good dollar hedge. Investing in gold may not be easy for you. But definitely, a simple way to get exposure to the precious metal is via the SPDR Gold MiniShares (GLDM $36.08)

Additionally, having at least a small allocation to gold in your asset allocation makes sense in really any environment. And it makes more sense in a high-inflation one!

3. SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF

Type: Ultrasoft bond

Assets under management: $26.2 billion

SEC yield: 4.3%

Expenses: 0.135%

Firstly, this ETF does exactly what its name suggests. Additionally, it holds a portfolio of U.S. government securities maturing in 1-3 months.

Further, BIL has no credit risk and given its short-term horizon, effectively no interest-rate risk.

4. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

Type: Foreign large blend

Assets under management: $106.74 billion

Dividend yield: 2.7%

Expenses: 0.05%

VEA marks the performance of the FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index. A market- capitalization-weighted index made up of approximately 4,000 stocks in Canada, Europe, and the Pacific region.

Basically, it’s a one-stop shop for companies from the developed world outside U.S. borders.

And in typical Vanguard style, you won’t have to pay much for this access. The ETF has an expense ratio of just 0.05%.

5. United States Oil Fund (Commodity ETF)

Assets under management: $1.9 billion

Expenses: 0.81% or $81 annually for every $10,000 invested.

Firstly, this exchange-traded product is designed to reflect the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil.

Secondly, USO gives regular folks an easy way to gain exposure to this key energy commodity. Over the past year, USO has delivered an impressive 17% gain.

Lastly, there is a bit of friction here based on the cost structure, and divergence can and does happen between short-term and long-term price trends.

However, if you want a popular and simple way to play oil prices, then this commodity ETF is worth a look.

Read More Cryptocurrency-How Volatile Cryptocurrency Can Be More Sustainable? 2023

Conclusion

Effectively, investors have though, largely stuck with crypto-related equity ETFs, and those in the wider technology sector, despite last year’s losses, suggesting a degree of resilience.

Especially, Thematic funds got clobbered (last year), 75% have an explicit growth bias and they got hit extremely hard.

Further, the demand for ETFs and separately managed accounts will continue to grow as advisers shift their investment allocations away from mutual funds to lower-cost products.

It is important to note that crypto is a very volatile asset. Hence, one should not put more than 4-5% of their investment portfolio in cryptos.

Further, if you play within your risk appetite crypto can surely add value to one’s investment.

FAQs

How do crypto ETFs work?

Firstly, a crypto exchange-traded fund is a fund made up of cryptos. Secondly, a crypto ETF measures the price of one or more digital tokens, whereas the majority of ETFs track an index or a basket of assets. Further, the share price of Bitcoin ETFs varies every day based on investor sales and purchases.

Are there any Crypto ETFS?

Chiefly, with 9 ETFs traded on the U.S. markets, crypto ETFs have total assets under management of $106.65M. Additionally, the average expense ratio is 0.94%.

What is the point of Bitcoin ETF?

Essentially, Bitcoin ETFs are exchange-traded funds that track the value of Bitcoin and trade on traditional market exchanges rather than crypto exchanges.

Additionally, they allow investors to invest in Bitcoin without having to go through the hassle of using a crypto exchange while providing leverage to its price.

Can an ETF hold Crypto?

Firstly, a way around this is exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, that track crypto assets. Secondly, these ETFs can potentially provide greater transparency and regulation compared with regular crypto. But unlike regular crypto, they can also be held in tax-sheltered accounts like a Roth IRA.

Is it good to invest in Crypto ETF?

Definitely, yes if you are a hands-off investor. If you do not want to actively manage your crypto investment but want a way to diversify your portfolio with a high-risk,high-reward asset. Especially, Bitcoin ETF is a better option than directly buying Bitcoin.

What is the difference between a blockchain ETF and a Bitcoin ETF?

Currently, blockchain ETFs are relatively stable compared to the volatility of (hypothetical) bitcoin ETFs. Further, this is because they are not expected to Bitcoin’s price swings.

That said, blockchain is still considered a nascent technology and does not currently constitute a large market.

Can you withdraw ETF anytime?

Firstly, ETFs offer guaranteed liquidity, which means you don’t have to wait for a buyer or a seller. Secondly, your ETF should sell on the day you ask to sell it. As long as the stock exchange is open and your instruction is received in time.