How to invest in crypto ETFs in Australia

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as either an endorsement or recommendation of managed investment schemes, cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. Consider your own circumstances and obtain independent advice before acting on this information.

What is a cryptocurrency ETF?

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a collection (often called a "basket") of assets that are designed to track the performance of a particular index, commodity or asset.

ETFs can be bought and sold on a stock market in the same way investors can trade stocks of a company.

For example, a gold ETF offer investors exposure to the value of gold without ever having to own any actual gold.

Cryptocurrency ETFs are designed to give investors exposure to the cryptocurrency market.

These funds may track the price of one or more digital coins or tokens, or even crypto-related companies like Bitcoin mining companies or crypto exchanges.

This lets investors gain exposure to the value of crypto without the risks associated with owning any digital currency.

Following the approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2024, there are now quite a few crypto ETFs available to trade via regular share trading platforms.

How to buy a crypto ETF in Australia

The easiest way to buy a crypto ETF is by following the steps below. You can get a more comprehensive overview of your ETF investing options here.

1. Sign up with a share trading platform or broker
2. Fund your account
3. Search for the crypto ETF you want to buy
4. Enter the amount you want to trade and hit "Buy"

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Promoted 9.6 Excellent Moomoo Share Trading Finder Award	9.6 Excellent	$3.00	US$0.99	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Welcome offer: Enjoy 30 days of $0 brokerage on AU and US stocks and receive up to 38 free shares when you open and fund your account and complete qualifying tasks. Offer ends 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Trade major markets with built-in social trading tools.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.7 Great eToro Most Loved	8.7 Great	US$2.00	US$0	ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	$150 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up as a new eToro customer through Finder, deposit at least $300 and complete a trade within 60 days of account opening to receive a $150 digital Visa gift card. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply.	CFD service. Capital at risk. Trade a range of assets from a single account with access to social trading features.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.3 Excellent Tiger Brokers Finder Award	9.3 Excellent	$3.00	US$2	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	$120 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up to Tiger Brokers through Finder, deposit $2,000 within 7 days and complete a qualifying BUY trade within 20 days to receive a $120 digital Visa gift card. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply. Deposit any amount and receive $20 to trade in Tiger Brokers. Plus 4x zero brokerage trades and no FX fees on the first $2,000 you exchange every month. T&Cs apply.	Trade US, Asian and CHESS-sponsored ASX stocks, China A-class shares, plus US and Hong Kong options and ETFs.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.8 Excellent Webull Finder Award	9.8 Excellent	$0.00	US$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies	$150 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then sign up to Webull as a new customer, deposit at least $2,000 in a single transaction and place at least 1 BUY order for a US-listed stock or ETF to receive a $150 digital Visa gift card. Ends 2 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply. Bonus offer: Get up to 25,000 bonus Qantas Points on eligible Webull deposits and share transfers by 31 Jan 2027. Plus, earn monthly points on your international trades. T&Cs apply.	Invest in over 15,000 shares, options, and $0 Brokerage on all U.S. and Australian Chess-Sponsored ETFs.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
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Finder Score for share trading platforms

We've scored over 30 share trading platforms assessing them for their core features, fees, customer experience and accessibility. Our experts give each platform a score out of 10.

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Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.

How do cryptocurrency ETFs work?

Cryptocurrency ETFs largely avoid most of these risks. Packaged within highly regulated investment vehicles, most ETFs can only be accessed through traditional outlets, such as stockbrokers.

These ETFs function as a bridge between traditional financial markets and the emerging digital asset class of cryptocurrencies.

Here's a deeper look into their operation:

• Tracking digital assets: These ETFs track one or multiple cryptocurrencies, allowing investors to gain exposure to crypto markets without the complexity of direct trading or ownership. Alongside cryptocurrencies, futures contracts can also be used to track underlying prices. These contracts are a type of derivative product that allow investors to "bet" on whether they think the price of a given cryptocurrency will rise or fall over a set period of time. Futures-based cryptocurrency ETFs were the first type to be approved by the SEC.
• Trading mechanism: Similar to traditional ETFs, cryptocurrency ETFs are traded on stock exchanges. Their prices fluctuate based on market demand, just like stocks.
• Regulated investment vehicles: Cryptocurrency ETFs operate within regulated financial frameworks. This regulation provides a level of security and legitimacy not always present in direct cryptocurrency investments.
• Management and fees: These funds are managed by financial institutions, which charge management fees, which generally have lower fees compared to traditional managed funds (like a hedge fund), but higher fees than the cryptocurrency spot market. These fees are typically factored into the price of the ETF.
• Accessibility: ETFs are accessible through standard brokerage accounts, making them a convenient option for traditional investors to enter the crypto market. Keep in mind that ETFs only trade during market hours, while cryptocurrency trades 24/7. This can lead to a discrepancy between the price of the fund and the spot market.
• Diverse offerings: There are different types of cryptocurrency ETFs available, such as those tracking specific cryptocurrencies or a range of digital assets.

This structure allows investors to engage with the growing crypto market in a regulated and familiar format, mitigating some complexities and risks associated with direct cryptocurrency transactions.

Our expert says: Why invest in crypto ETFs?

"Crypto ETFs are an accessible way to get exposure to leading cryptocurrencies, especially for those who are uncomfortable using a crypto exchange or having custody of their own coins. Of course, the trade off for that convenience is slightly higher fees."

Thomas Stelzer

Journalist

Types of crypto ETFs

Broadly speaking, there are 3 types of cryptocurrency ETFs:

Physical-backed crypto ETFs

These hold actual coins and tokens to underpin the value of the ETF. If the value of the digital coins owned by the ETF rises, the value of each ETF share also increases.

• Pros. Physical-backed ETFs are the most direct way of investing in crypto via a fund. The fund essentially holds coins on an investor's behalf and is a good proxy for people who cannot or do not want to own actual coins.
• Cons. Physical-backed ETFs frequently lag behind the market and trading is restricted to market hours (unlike actual crypto which trades 24/7). Availability is also limited depending on what markets you have access to. For example, physical-backed Bitcoin and Ether ETFs listed in the US have been open to retail investors since 2024, but you'll need a broker that gives you access to US markets to buy them.

Futures-backed crypto ETFs

With this type of ETF, shares in the fund aren't based on actual coins but on futures contracts. A futures contract is an agreement that sets a fixed price and date for buying or selling an asset. As a result, they allow investors to profit in both bearish and bullish markets. Futures-backed ETFs are typically used when holding the underlying asset would be problematic, such as storing barrels of oil or safely securing cryptocurrency.

• Pros. This type of ETF was the first crypto ETF approved for retail investors in the US, as the fund is not directly exposed to the risks associated with storing cryptocurrency.
• Cons. Futures-backed ETFs can be expensive compared to a physical ETF or real crypto. On top of the ETF management fees is the risk of contango, where futures contracts cost more than the underlying asset. This can cause futures-based ETFs to trade at a premium compared to the spot market, making them worse value for money than purchasing actual coins.

Picks-and-shovels crypto ETFs

This type of ETF is quite different to the others as it is based on stocks of cryptocurrency or blockchain-related companies. The idea is to give exposure to the wider blockchain industry (the technology behind most cryptocurrencies) through a basket of stocks.

For instance, the Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF is made up of publicly traded exchanges (Coinbase, Robinhood), hedge funds (Galaxy Digital), mining firms (Hut 8) and companies that hold crypto in their treasury (MicroStrategy, Tesla).

• Pros. Stock-based ETFs provide a convenient way of gaining exposure to the wider industry through a mixture of companies. This type of ETF is also less volatile than ETFs that track the underlying value of cryptocurrencies.
• Cons. However, less volatility also means there could be less room for growth. In addition, the cryptocurrency industry is still in the midst of regulation around the globe, which could negatively impact the prospects of some of the companies listed in these ETFs.

Finder survey: Which crypto industries are Australians investing in?

Should you invest in an ETF or real crypto?

When deciding whether to invest in a cryptocurrency ETF or purchase real cryptocurrency directly, it's important to weigh the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Cryptocurrency ETFs

Pros

• Simplicity: ETFs provide an easier way for individuals unfamiliar with the crypto market to invest. They eliminate the complexities of buying, storing and managing cryptocurrencies.
• Accessibility: Accessible through traditional stockbrokers and exchanges, ETFs offer the legal and regulatory protections of these platforms.
• Diversification: Some ETFs allow you to invest in a basket of different cryptocurrencies, streamlining the diversification process.
• Reduced security risks: Since you don't hold actual cryptocurrencies, there's a lower risk of losing your investment to hacking or theft.

Cons

• Higher costs: ETFs often have management fees and sometimes higher brokerage fees compared to cryptocurrency exchanges.
• Limited trading hours: ETFs are only tradable during market hours, which could mean potential delays in capitalising on cryptocurrency market changes that occur 24/7.
• Indirect investment: Investing in an ETF means you don't own the actual cryptocurrencies, which could limit certain benefits like self-custody and using crypto for transactions.

Real cryptocurrency

Pros

• Direct ownership: You have full control and ownership of your cryptocurrencies, with the freedom to use or trade them as you wish.
• Market responsiveness: Direct investment in crypto allows for immediate action in response to market fluctuations, as the crypto market operates around the clock.
• Potentially lower fees: Buying cryptocurrencies directly can incur lower transaction fees than those associated with ETF management and brokerage.

Cons

• Complexity and security risks: Directly managing cryptocurrencies requires technical knowledge and comes with increased security responsibilities.
• Volatility and regulatory concerns: Investing in cryptocurrencies is often more volatile and less regulated than traditional investments, presenting a higher risk level.

In conclusion, cryptocurrency ETFs are typically more suited for individuals seeking a simpler, more traditional investment vehicle, or those looking to adopt a longer-term investment strategy. Direct cryptocurrency investment, on the other hand, might appeal more to those comfortable with the technical aspects of crypto and who prefer having direct control over their digital assets.

How to invest in a cryptocurrency ETF

You essentially have 3 main avenues for investing in a crypto ETF, each with its own pros and cons. Keep in mind various ETFs are spread out over a number of providers, from brokers to privately managed funds. As a result, you will need to consider which markets you have access to and which underlying cryptocurrencies you want exposure to.

• Purchase an ETF through a stock broker or exchange

  1. Use the table to choose an ETF that is traded via a broker. This means it is available to retail investors through a stockbroker or similar service. Private funds are sold through the issuing company on an individual basis and are typically restricted to accredited investors.
  2. Sign up for a broker that has access to the ETF you want. For instance, if you plan on purchasing an ETF listed on the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), you will need access to US markets. In comparison, ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) require access to Canadian markets. You can make life easy for yourself by using our guide to find a list of brokers with access to global markets.
  3. Deposit funds and purchase the ETF. Most platforms will allow you to purchase as little as 1 share, but keep an eye on the brokerage fees, which are charged either as a percentage or flat rate.

• Purchase an ETF through a cryptocurrency exchange

  1. Use the table to choose an ETF that is available via a cryptocurrency exchange. This means you can purchase and trade it on the exchange, just like you would with cryptocurrencies. Keep in mind that some exchanges offer ETFs, but only via a private sale (see below).
  2. Sign up for the exchange by clicking on the name in the table. You will likely need some photo ID and a webcam or smartphone to complete sign-up.
  3. Deposit funds and purchase the ETF. Deposit funds onto the exchange using your local currency or cryptocurrency. If the exchange only accepts cryptocurrency, you will need to purchase a widely supported crypto like Bitcoin to trade for the ETF.

• Purchase an ETF via private sale

  Some ETFs are only available via private sale from the issuer and come with certain requirements that leave them out of reach for the average investor. They are typically only available to accredited investors (or your local equivalent) and have a high minimum investment amount – often upwards of $50,000.

  To purchase an ETF this way, you will need to go to the provider's website and register your interest. Keep in mind that some funds have limited spots, so even if you meet the requirements you may not be able to purchase the ETF right away.

Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.

Frequently asked questions

• What do Bitcoin ETFs have to do with the SEC?

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a federal government agency responsible for protecting investors and promoting fairness in the United States' securities markets. It also has the responsibility of approving ETFs to be listed for trade on US stock exchanges. The SEC rejected more than 20 spot Bitcoin ETF applications between 2018 and 2023. A Bitcoin futures ETF began trading in October 2021, then in January 2024 the SEC approved the first spot Bitcoin ETFs, followed by spot Ether ETFs in May 2024.

• What's the difference between passive ETFs and active ETFs?

  In Australia, most ETFs are "passive" investments – this means they track the value of an underlying asset or index. Meanwhile, active ETFs are those where the fund manager is actively trying to outperform the market or achieve an objective other than tracking a particular index.

• Do ETFs have a minimum investment limit?

  Yes, but this varies from product to product and depends on whether the ETF is targeted at wholesale or retail investors.