The recent approval and launch of spot ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States has marked a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency investment landscape.
On July 23, 2024, nine spot ether ETFs from eight different issuers received approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and began trading. Many of them were players during the debut of spot bitcoin ETFs earlier in the year in January.
These financial products provide investors with direct exposure to the price of ether, the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain, through traditional brokerage accounts.
But what exactly are these ETFs, and how do they work?
In this lesson, we’ll unravel the mysteries of spot ether ETFs, exploring their benefits, risks, and everything you need to know if spot ether ETFs are the right fit for your portfolio. Let’s get started!
📖 What is ether (ETH)?
Ether (ETH) is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain network. Created by Vitalik Buterin and launched in 2015, ether serves as both a digital currency and the fuel that powers the Ethereum ecosystem.
Unlike traditional currencies, ether is designed to enable smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum platform, making it more than just a medium of exchange.
As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, ether plays a crucial role in the broader blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. It’s used to pay for transaction fees (known as gas) on the Ethereum network, to execute smart contracts, and as a store of value.
Following Ethereum’s transition to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism in 2022, ether has also become integral to the network’s security and operation through staking.
This versatility and the vast ecosystem built around Ethereum have made ether a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency world, driving innovation in areas such as DeFi, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and various other blockchain applications.
If you’d like to learn more about ether and Ethereum, check out my Beginner’s Guide to Ethereum.
🤔 What are spot ether (ETH) ETFs?
Spot ether ETFs are investment funds that track the current market price of ether.
Unlike futures-based ETFs, which derive their value from contracts to buy or sell ether at a future date, spot ETFs hold the actual cryptocurrency in their reserves.
This means that the value of a spot ether ETF directly mirrors the price fluctuations of ether in the market.
💡 WTF is an ETF?
An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a type of investment fund that is traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks.
ETFs usually hold a collection of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, and allow investors to buy shares of the fund. This provides diversification, as each share represents a small ownership in all of the fund’s holdings
A spot ether ETF is a specific type of ETF that directly holds ether.
By purchasing shares of a spot ether ETF, you can gain exposure to bitcoin’s price movements without having to buy, store, or manage the actual cryptocurrency!
The ETF’s value is tied to the current market price of ether, providing a straightforward way to invest in bitcoin through traditional stock markets.
This makes investing in ether more accessible and convenient, especially for those who are not familiar with handling cryptocurrencies.
🤯 Ether ETFs vs. ETPs: What’s the difference?
In the financial media, you’ll probably run across the term “ether ETPs” and “ether ETFs” so before we dive into the spot ether ETFs, let’s clear up some confusion.
Both terms are used, but technically, the correct term is: Ether ETP!
What’s the difference between an ETF and an ETP?!
- An ETP (Exchange-Traded Product) is a broad term for investments that can be bought and sold on the stock market, like a stock.
- An ETF is a specific type of ETP that tracks a group of investments, like stocks and bonds, to reduce risk.
The important thing to know is that the new bitcoin investments approved in January 2024 by the SEC only track one asset: ether.
So…they’re more accurately called ether ETPs, not ETFs!
Ether ETFs hold a mix of assets, while ether ETPs hold only ether.
Unfortunately, most folks continue to use the term, spot “ether ETFs” even though they’re actually spot “ether ETPs” , my people-pleasing self will use it as well.
But at least now you know what’s up! So if you want to get technical, ether ETP is the more precise term!
⚙️ How do spot ether ETFs work?
Spot ether ETFs function similarly to traditional ETFs.
When you purchase shares of a spot ether ETF, you’re essentially buying a stake in the fund’s ether holdings.
The ETF provider is responsible for managing the fund’s assets, including the purchase and secure storage of ether.
Spot Ether ETF Trade Example:
Let’s say you want to invest in Ether (ETH) through a spot Ether ETF. Here’s an example of how the trade might work:
ETF Details
- ETF Name: Ether ETF (ETHTR)
- Exchange: NYSE Arca
- Net Asset Value (NAV): $25.00 per share
- Expense Ratio: 0.95% per annum
The NAV of a spot ether ETF reflects the current market value of the ether held in the fund. This allows investors to track the performance of their investment relative to the price of ether itself. For example, if an ETF holds $250 million worth of ether and has 10 million shares outstanding, its NAV per share would be $25.00.
Trade Example
- Number of Shares: 100
- Trade Price: $25.50 per share (slightly above NAV)
- Total Investment: $2,550
What happens next:
- You now own 100 shares of the Ether ETF (ETHTR), which gives him exposure to the price movements of ETH.
Scenario 1: ETH price increases
- New ETH Price: $1,500 (up 10% from the previous day)
- New NAV: $27.50 per share (up 10% from the previous day)
- You Investment: Your 100 shares are now worth $2,750 (up $200 from the initial investment)
Scenario 2: ETH price decreases
- New ETH Price: $1,350 (down 10% from the previous day)
- New NAV: $22.50 per share (down 10% from the previous day)
- Your investment: Your 100 shares are now worth $2,250 (down $300 from the initial investment)
Note that this is a simplified example and actual trades may vary based on market conditions, fees, and other factors.
👍 What are the benefits of spot ether ETFs?
Spot ether ETFs offer several advantages over other investment methods:
- Accessibility: You can easily buy and sell shares of spot ether ETFs through your regular brokerage accounts, eliminating the need for cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets.
- Regulation: Spot ether ETFs are regulated by financial authorities, providing investors with greater protection and transparency compared to unregulated cryptocurrency markets.
- Diversification: Investors can include spot ether ETFs in their portfolios to diversify their holdings and gain exposure to the growing Ethereum ecosystem.
- Ease of Use: Spot ether ETFs simplify the process of investing in ether, making it accessible to a broader range of investors.
⚠️ What are the risks of spot ether ETFs?
While spot ether ETFs offer numerous benefits, investors should also consider the following factors:
- Volatility: The cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility, and the price of ether can fluctuate significantly. You should be prepared for price swings and consider their risk tolerance before investing.
- Fees: Spot ether ETFs charge management fees, which can vary depending on the provider. You should factor in these fees when evaluating the overall cost of investing in a particular ETF.
- Security: While ETF providers take measures to secure their ether holdings, there is always a risk of hacking or theft. You should research the security practices of different providers before investing.
🖱️ How to Invest in Spot Ether ETFs
Want to invest in ETFs? First, you’ll need to open an investment account. This can be a solo or joint brokerage account, or even an IRA – the same as you’d use for stocks or mutual funds.
Here’s a quick rundown of the basic steps to get started
- Choose a Brokerage: If you don’t already have one, open an account with a reputable brokerage that offers spot ether ETFs.
- Fund Your Account: Transfer money into your brokerage account.
- Research Available ETFs: Look into different spot ether ETFs and compare their fees, tracking accuracy, and trading volume.
- Place an Order: Use your brokerage’s trading platform to place a buy order for the ETF of your choice.
- Monitor Your Position: Keep track of your position’s performance and how it compares to ether’s price.
🏢 What are examples of spot ether ETFs?
Several spot ether ETFs have launched in recently, providing investors with various options to gain exposure to ETH’s price movements through regulated financial instruments.
Here are what’s available:
| Ticker | ETF Name |
|---|---|
| ETHA | iShares Ethereum Trust |
| FETH | Fidelity Ethereum Fund |
| CETH | 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF |
| ETHW | Bitwise Ethereum ETF |
| ETHV | VanEck Ethereum ETF |
| EZET | Franklin Ethereum ETF |
| QETH | Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF |
| ETHE | Grayscale Ethereum Trust |
| ETH | Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust |
🔮 What’s the future of spot ether ETF?
The launch of spot ether ETFs is expected to increase institutional and retail participation in the Ethereum market.
While spot ether ETFs are currently available in the U.S., there’s growing interest in launching these products in other countries as well. As more investors gain access to these convenient investment vehicles, it could lead to increased liquidity and further legitimize Ethereum as an asset class.
As regulatory frameworks evolve and investor demand increases, we can expect to see spot ether ETFs become available in more markets around the world.One of the exciting possibilities for the future of spot ether ETFs is their integration with the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
This could involve using ETFs as collateral for DeFi loans, providing liquidity for decentralized exchanges, or even creating entirely new financial products that leverage the unique capabilities of both ETFs and DeFi.
Overall, the future of spot ether ETFs is full of potential. As the technology matures and investor demand continues to grow, these products should play an increasingly important role in the cryptocurrency investment landscape.
💥 How big can the spot ether ETF market get?
If investor interest in Ether continues to grow, the market for spot ether ETFs could expand significantly. The first trading day saw over $1 billion in volume, indicating strong initial interest.
Spot bitcoin ETFs have been incredibly successful, gathering substantial assets. If spot ether ETFs follow a similar trajectory, they could also attract significant investments over time.
That said, Ethereum’s market size and liquidity are still smaller than Bitcoin’s, which could limit the overall growth potential of ether ETFs compared to Bitcoin ETFs.
Galaxy Digital. a financial services and investment management firm that specializes in digital assets, predicts net inflows into ether ETFs are 20-50% of those into bitcoin ETFs, with an estimated $1bn/month.
While it’s too early to definitively say how big the spot ether ETF market will get, the initial trading volume and analyst predictions suggest significant growth potential.
📋 What’s the bottom line on spot ether ETFs?
Spot ether ETFs represent a significant step forward for investors seeking exposure to the Ethereum market.
By providing a regulated and accessible way to invest in ether, these ETFs are poised to democratize access to the growing world of decentralized finance (“DeFi”) and blockchain technology.
The approval of multiple types of spot crypto ETFs signals a growing acceptance and potential for more crypto ETFs in the future!
However, as with any investment, it’s important do your own research (“DYOR”) and understand the risks involved before making any decisions.