How to buy the new spot Ethereum ETFs

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first spot ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

This means you can now get exposure to ethereum’s price through a traditional investment option and have greater access to invest in this asset through your retirement accounts.

Here’s what you need to know.

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What is a spot Ethereum ETF?

Similar to a spot bitcoin ETF, a spot Ethereum ETF is a type of ETF that will hold physical ether as its underlying asset. This contrasts Ethereum futures ETFs, which invest in Ethereum futures contracts and allow investors to speculate on the future price of the cryptocurrency without directly owning the coin.

How to buy Ethereum spot ETFs

1. 1. Choose a platform and open an account. If you’re a beginner, our ETF broker picks below can help you choose. Then, provide your personal information and sign up.
   2. Confirm your payment details. You’ll need to fund your account with a bank transfer, debit card or credit card.
   3. Select and research ETFs. Search the platform for the ETF ticker symbol. The platform should provide the latest information available.
   4. Buy your ETF shares. Place a market order or limit order with your preferred number of shares. It’s that simple.

The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes. You’ll need a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, your passport or driving license and a means of payment.

These 9 spot Ethereum ETFs are available

The following spot Ethereum ETFs are available to trade as of July 23, 2024.⁽³⁾

What might the spot Ethereum ETFs do for Ethereum’s price?

Approval of a spot ETF would make Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, accessible to a broader range of investors. Whereas many traditional brokers still don’t offer direct crypto investing, most will likely offer any approved spot Ethereum ETF, just as they have with spot bitcoin ETFs.

Since bitcoin spot ETFs began trading on January 11, 2024, investors have poured more than $12 billion into them.⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾ While there’s no telling the same will happen for approved spot Ethereum ETFs, demand appears high. Analysts at AllianceBernstein say ether may rally more than 75% on approval of a spot ether ETF.⁽⁶⁾

Ethereum ETF alternatives

While Ethereum ETFs offer a convenient way to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency, they are not the only option for investors. Here are some alternative methods to consider:

• Direct cryptocurrency purchases. One of the most straightforward alternatives is buying Ethereum directly on a cryptocurrency exchange. Platforms like Gemini, Coinbase and Kraken allow you to purchase and hold Ethereum in a digital wallet. This method gives you full control over your Ethereum assets and the ability to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
• Cryptocurrency stocks. Investing in publicly traded companies that are heavily involved in the cryptocurrency space is another alternative. Companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR), Square (SQ) and Tesla (TSLA) have significant holdings in cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, or are involved in the development of blockchain technologies.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Matt Miczulski

Editor, Investments

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

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