[In-Depth] A Complete Guide to Crypto ETFs Around the World: Which One to Buy, How to Buy It, and How Much Can You Earn?
Since US spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024, Wall Street has become one of the biggest buyers of BTC. US spot BTC ETFs now hold approximately 1.28 million BTC, or 6.1% of the total supply. What are the major crypto ETFs around the world? How can everyday investors buy them? How much can they earn? This article explains it all. (Data as of mid-October)
1️⃣ A map of crypto ETFs around the world
The US is by far the main hub. Crypto ETFs in the US and Hong Kong together hold approximately $124.8 billion (as of October 7), of which BTC funds account for about $97.2 billion, or nearly 80%.
US BTC: 14 spot ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT alone holds about $68.7 billion—more than four times the amount held by the second-largest fund.
US ETH: Approximately $15 billion to $23.6 billion in assets, depending on the source and methodology; October has seen 11 days of net outflows.
US SOL: Approximately $1.62 billion. Bitwise’s BSOL alone has more than $1 billion.
US XRP: Approximately $1.47 billion, with cumulative net inflows of about $1.8 billion.
European ETPs: Mainly from CoinShares and 21Shares, with physically backed ETPs totaling more than $9 billion. The UK has allowed retail investors to access crypto ETNs since October 2025.
Hong Kong: Asia’s first spot BTC and ETH ETFs launched in April 2024. Tickers include 3042, 3439, and 3008, among others, with about $500 million in assets. One feature is that investors can subscribe and redeem directly using BTC and ETH.
2️⃣ How to choose a US BTC ETF
Assets under management (as of October 8) and fees: IBIT, $68.7 billion, 0.25%; Fidelity FBTC, $15.7 billion, 0.25%; Grayscale GBTC, $10.6 billion, 1.50%; Grayscale Mini BTC, $5.4 billion, 0.15%; Bitwise BITB, $3.1 billion, 0.20%; Ark ARKB, $2.9 billion, 0.21%.
The selection process is simple: look at assets and liquidity, then compare fees. GBTC’s fee is 6 to 10 times higher than those of other products, and it has seen continued outflows. The fee difference may look small, but it adds up over the long term: if you invest $10,000 for 10 years and assume the coin price stays unchanged, you’d have about $9,753 left with a 0.25% fee, compared with just $8,597 at 1.5%.
3️⃣ How everyday investors can buy
US-listed ETFs: Open an account with an overseas broker, such as Interactive Brokers, Futu, or Tiger Brokers. Fund the account, then buy the ticker just as you would a stock.
Hong Kong-listed ETFs: You can buy them through a Hong Kong brokerage or bank securities account.
European and UK ETPs: Buy them through a local broker.
Two restrictions you need to know: First, crypto ETFs are not available through the Stock Connect program. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has made clear that mainland investors cannot buy them. Second, under current rules, mainland Chinese residents’ personal foreign-exchange purchase quota cannot be used for overseas securities investments. Before opening an account or transferring funds abroad, check the applicable compliance requirements.
4️⃣ Return expectations: ETFs won’t protect you from losses
From its listing on January 11, 2024, to October 8, 2026, IBIT rose 73.7%, while BTC rose 76.3% over the same period. The difference comes down to fees and tracking error. The annualized return was about 22%, but the maximum drawdown reached 53.3%. By year: up 99% in 2024, down 6.4% in 2025, and down about 6.9% so far in 2026. It fell 34% over the past 12 months.
Bottom line: Over the long term, an ETF’s return is broadly equal to the return of BTC itself, minus fees. ETFs make it easier to buy and manage crypto without having to safeguard your own private keys; they don’t reduce risk.
The timing problem is even more sobering: Morningstar research found that when IBIT itself doubled, investors on average captured only about a quarter of those gains, because people tend to buy at high prices and sell in a panic.
5️⃣ How to choose between an ETF and buying crypto directly
ETF advantages: Regulated; available through a brokerage account; no need to worry about an exchange collapsing or losing your private keys; convenient for tax reporting and asset allocation.
ETF drawbacks: You can trade only during stock-market hours, so you can’t sell your ETF if BTC plunges over the weekend; you pay management fees; and you own fund shares, not the coins themselves, so you can’t transfer them or use them on-chain.
Who they suit: People who want long-term exposure and don’t want to deal with exchanges or wallets. If you want to trade 24/7, use derivatives, or explore on-chain applications, buying crypto directly may be a better fit.
6️⃣ Current fund flows
Crypto ETFs saw net inflows of about $4.2 billion in September, but flows turned negative in October. For the week through October 16, net outflows were about $593 million. ETF flows are now an important marginal force affecting BTC prices, so it’s worth keeping an eye on daily inflows and outflows.
Would you choose an ETF or buy crypto directly?
Sources: CoinCentral, Bitbo, SoSoValue, CryptoETF Today, 21Shares, The Block, ETFIQ, InvestmentVisual, Morningstar, FCA, CoinDesk. For informational purposes only; not investment advice.
📈 Top 3 contract gainers (20:58): $JCT +123.29%｜$APR +33.36%｜$BR +24.32%
#BinanceSquare
⚠️ The above is a compilation of information and personal opinions, not investment advice. DYOR.
Since US spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024, Wall Street has become one of the biggest buyers of BTC. US spot BTC ETFs now hold approximately 1.28 million BTC, or 6.1% of the total supply. What are the major crypto ETFs around the world? How can everyday investors buy them? How much can they earn? This article explains it all. (Data as of mid-October)
1️⃣ A map of crypto ETFs around the world
The US is by far the main hub. Crypto ETFs in the US and Hong Kong together hold approximately $124.8 billion (as of October 7), of which BTC funds account for about $97.2 billion, or nearly 80%.
US BTC: 14 spot ETFs. BlackRock’s IBIT alone holds about $68.7 billion—more than four times the amount held by the second-largest fund.
US ETH: Approximately $15 billion to $23.6 billion in assets, depending on the source and methodology; October has seen 11 days of net outflows.
US SOL: Approximately $1.62 billion. Bitwise’s BSOL alone has more than $1 billion.
US XRP: Approximately $1.47 billion, with cumulative net inflows of about $1.8 billion.
European ETPs: Mainly from CoinShares and 21Shares, with physically backed ETPs totaling more than $9 billion. The UK has allowed retail investors to access crypto ETNs since October 2025.
Hong Kong: Asia’s first spot BTC and ETH ETFs launched in April 2024. Tickers include 3042, 3439, and 3008, among others, with about $500 million in assets. One feature is that investors can subscribe and redeem directly using BTC and ETH.
2️⃣ How to choose a US BTC ETF
Assets under management (as of October 8) and fees: IBIT, $68.7 billion, 0.25%; Fidelity FBTC, $15.7 billion, 0.25%; Grayscale GBTC, $10.6 billion, 1.50%; Grayscale Mini BTC, $5.4 billion, 0.15%; Bitwise BITB, $3.1 billion, 0.20%; Ark ARKB, $2.9 billion, 0.21%.
The selection process is simple: look at assets and liquidity, then compare fees. GBTC’s fee is 6 to 10 times higher than those of other products, and it has seen continued outflows. The fee difference may look small, but it adds up over the long term: if you invest $10,000 for 10 years and assume the coin price stays unchanged, you’d have about $9,753 left with a 0.25% fee, compared with just $8,597 at 1.5%.
3️⃣ How everyday investors can buy
US-listed ETFs: Open an account with an overseas broker, such as Interactive Brokers, Futu, or Tiger Brokers. Fund the account, then buy the ticker just as you would a stock.
Hong Kong-listed ETFs: You can buy them through a Hong Kong brokerage or bank securities account.
European and UK ETPs: Buy them through a local broker.
Two restrictions you need to know: First, crypto ETFs are not available through the Stock Connect program. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has made clear that mainland investors cannot buy them. Second, under current rules, mainland Chinese residents’ personal foreign-exchange purchase quota cannot be used for overseas securities investments. Before opening an account or transferring funds abroad, check the applicable compliance requirements.
4️⃣ Return expectations: ETFs won’t protect you from losses
From its listing on January 11, 2024, to October 8, 2026, IBIT rose 73.7%, while BTC rose 76.3% over the same period. The difference comes down to fees and tracking error. The annualized return was about 22%, but the maximum drawdown reached 53.3%. By year: up 99% in 2024, down 6.4% in 2025, and down about 6.9% so far in 2026. It fell 34% over the past 12 months.
Bottom line: Over the long term, an ETF’s return is broadly equal to the return of BTC itself, minus fees. ETFs make it easier to buy and manage crypto without having to safeguard your own private keys; they don’t reduce risk.
The timing problem is even more sobering: Morningstar research found that when IBIT itself doubled, investors on average captured only about a quarter of those gains, because people tend to buy at high prices and sell in a panic.
5️⃣ How to choose between an ETF and buying crypto directly
ETF advantages: Regulated; available through a brokerage account; no need to worry about an exchange collapsing or losing your private keys; convenient for tax reporting and asset allocation.
ETF drawbacks: You can trade only during stock-market hours, so you can’t sell your ETF if BTC plunges over the weekend; you pay management fees; and you own fund shares, not the coins themselves, so you can’t transfer them or use them on-chain.
Who they suit: People who want long-term exposure and don’t want to deal with exchanges or wallets. If you want to trade 24/7, use derivatives, or explore on-chain applications, buying crypto directly may be a better fit.
6️⃣ Current fund flows
Crypto ETFs saw net inflows of about $4.2 billion in September, but flows turned negative in October. For the week through October 16, net outflows were about $593 million. ETF flows are now an important marginal force affecting BTC prices, so it’s worth keeping an eye on daily inflows and outflows.
Would you choose an ETF or buy crypto directly?
Sources: CoinCentral, Bitbo, SoSoValue, CryptoETF Today, 21Shares, The Block, ETFIQ, InvestmentVisual, Morningstar, FCA, CoinDesk. For informational purposes only; not investment advice.
📈 Top 3 contract gainers (20:58): $JCT +123.29%｜$APR +33.36%｜$BR +24.32%
#BinanceSquare
⚠️ The above is a compilation of information and personal opinions, not investment advice. DYOR.