Best Crypto ETFs/ETNs/ETPs, Rated and Reviewed

21Shares Ethereum ETP

4.7

21Shares is one of the most prolific crypto ETF providers in recent years.

Read our review

Crypto Basket Index ETP

4.4

Instead of tracking single cryptos like bitcoin, this ETP from 21Shares tracks the top 5 coins ranked according to 2050 market cap.

Read our review

WisdomTree Bitcoin

4.2

As the name suggests, this is an ETP physically backed by bitcoin professionally secured in “cold storage.

Read our review

ETC Group Bitcoin

4.2

ETC Group is at the forefront of the crypto ETFs market, with a total AUM of $1.135 billion.

Read our review

Crypto exchange-traded funds/notes/products are perfect for investors looking for a familiar entry point into bitcoin and popular altcoins.

The majority of crypto ETF/ETN/ETPs are traded on established European exchanges like the XETRA in Germany, SIX Swiss Exchange in Switzerland, Euronext Paris in France, and Euronext Amsterdam in the Netherlands. They are all funds 100% backed by bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital assets held in professional “cold storage” and mirroring the performance of major crypto indexes.

Targeted to European investors, this guide will introduce you to the latest crypto ETFs/ETNs/ETPs. (American readers: check out our guides on Best Bitcoin ETFs, Best Blockchain ETFs, and Best Crypto ETFs.)

Top Picks for Crypto ETFs/ETNs/ETPs

We selected the top-ranked crypto ETFs based on their age, YoY performance, and comparison of their Total Expense Ratios (TER). The majority of the top crypto ETFs are backed by either bitcoin or Ethereum. (Newer crypto ETFs backed by altcoins like Cardano, Tezos, and Polkadot are arriving on the scene, but given the increased risk attached to smaller altcoins, we do not consider them in our review process.)

Here are our top picks for crypto ETFs that allow you to invest in bitcoin/altcoins directly, without a bitcoin wallet or crypto exchanges.

ETF   NameActive SinceFund Size (in m $)TERFund Domicile Based OnReturns (2021) Rating
21Shares Ethereum ETPMarch   20193491.49%SwitzerlandEthereum   465.39%4.7
21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETPNovember 20181522.50%SwitzerlandBitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, Cosmos, Cardano242.05%4.4
WisdomTree   BitcoinNovember   20193140.95%JerseyBitcoin121.45%4.2
BTCetc   – ETC Group Physical BitcoinJune   202011132.00%Germany   Bitcoin125.96%4.2
VanEck   Vectors Ethereum ETNMarch   2021901.00%LiechtensteinEthereum83.95%   (6 months)4.2
21Shares Bitcoin ETPFebruary 20192831.49%SwitzerlandBitcoin124.82%4.1
ETHetc – ETC Group Physical EthereumFebruary 20212271.49%GermanyEthereum79.68% (6 months)4.1
Coinshares Physical EthereumFebruary 20211931.25%JerseyEthereum86.01% (6 months)4.0
21Shares Tezos ETPNovember 2019442.50%SwitzerlandTezos258.89%3.8
21Shares   Bitcoin Cash ETPJuly   201912.762.50%GermanyBitcoin   Cash82.90%3.5

21Shares Ethereum ETP

Active since: March 2019

Fund Size (in m $): 349

TER: 1.49%

Fund Domicile: Switzerland

Based On: Ethereum

Returns (2021): 465.39%

Rating: 4.7

Description: 21Shares is one of the most prolific crypto ETF providers in recent years. The Swiss firm’s Ethereum instrument is one of the older crypto ETFs on the market.

Out of the many bitcoin and altcoin ETFs operated by 21Shares, the Ethereum ETP   has shown maximum cumulative returns of 868.69%.

In 2021, the ETF tracked annual returns of 415%. The instrument also comes with   a TER of 1.49%, which is not very high.


hodl21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP

Active since: November 2018

Fund Size (in m $): 152

TER:2.50%

Fund Domicile: Switzerland

Based On: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, Cosmos, Cardano

Returns (2021): 242.05%

Rating: 4.4

Description: Instead of tracking single cryptos like bitcoin, this ETP from 21Shares tracks the top 5 coins ranked according to 2050 market cap (based on current prices and projected 2050 supply).

Three cryptos dominate this ETP – Bitcoin (45.25%),   Ethereum (20.52), and Polkadot (24.36%). It does carry a high fee compared to   other crypto ETFs.

However, since its inception, the Crypto Basket   Index ETP has clocked cumulative returns of 568%, with 207% recorded in 2021   alone.


wisdomtreeWisdomTree Bitcoin

Active since: November 2019

Fund Size (in m $): 314

TER:0.95%

Fund Domicile: Jersey

Based On: Bitcoin

Returns (2021): 121.45%

Rating: 2

Description: As the name suggests, this is an ETP physically backed by bitcoin professionally secured in “cold storage.”

The “NAV” or daily value of the ETP is calculated by multiplying the per-share entitlement of bitcoin with the established index – CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate.

The WisdomTree Bitcoin ETP combines low fees with competitive returns in the crypto ETF scene – 100% in 2021, and 399.65% cumulatively since inception.


etc logoBTCetc – ETC Group Physical Bitcoin

Active since: June 2020

Fund Size (in m $): 1113

TER: 2.00%

Fund Domicile: Germany

Based On: Bitcoin

Returns (2021): 125.96%

Rating: 4.2

Description: ETC Group is at the forefront of the crypto ETFs market, with a total AUM of   $1.135 billion.

The BTCetc ETP leads the bitcoin-backed ETF space in terms of annual returns,   ahead of similar instruments by 4% in 2021 (103.99%). Cumulative returns are at 397%, but the fees are on the higher side of the spectrum.


vaneckVanEck Vectors Ethereum ETN

Active since: March 2021

Fund Size (in m $): 90

TER: 1.00%

Fund Domicile: Liechtenstein

Based On: Ethereum

Returns (2021): 83.95%   (6 months)

Rating: 4.2

Description: Although   VanEck Corporation is a reputed ETF provider based in NY, their crypto ETFs   are domiciled in Liechtenstein.

The Vectors Ethereum ETN is matched to the performance of the well-established   MVETHV Index.

The Vectors ETH instrument is marked by low fees and performance that is so far   in line with the best Ethereum ETFs available on the market – 90% returns in   3 months and 60% over 6 months.


bitcoin-logo21Shares Bitcoin ETP

Active since: November 2019

Fund Size (in m $): 314

TER:0.95%

Fund Domicile: Jersey

Based On: Bitcoin

Returns (2021): 121.45%

Rating: 2

Description: The 21Shares version of a bitcoin ETP has followed a   nearly identical growth trajectory as the WisdomTree ETP. This is not surprising as both ETFs are backed by physical bitcoin holdings.

The 21Shares instrument does come with marginally higher ETR, with a few percentage points of improvement on the returns.


etc logoETHetc – ETC Group Physical Ethereum

Active since: February 2021

Fund Size (in m $): 227

TER: 1.49%

Fund Domicile: Germany

Based On: Ethereum

Returns (2021): 79.68% (6 months)

Rating: 4.1

Description: The Ethereum ETN from ETC Group is yet another new   instrument launched in 2021.

It finds a place on this list due to the relative reliability of ETH over other altcoins, as well as the ETC Group credentials   on the crypto ETF market.

Since its inception, the returns on the instrument are well-aligned with market trends, growing 90.40% in over months and 60%   across 6 months.


coinsharesCoinshares Physical Ethereum

Active since: February 2021

Fund Size (in m $): 193

TER: 1.25%

Fund Domicile: Jersey

Based On: Ethereum

Returns (2021): 86.01% (6 months)

Rating: 4.0

Description: One of the younger crypto ETFs on our list, this   Ethereum backed instrument from Coinshares gets the nod based on the long terms prospects of ETH.

Also, Coinshares is a pioneer of crypto ETFs,   credited with launching the first bitcoin-based instrument on a regulated exchange in 2014.

The Physical Ethereum ETN has registered modest returns of 73% in 3 months and 47% in 6 months. In comparison, the top-ranked   ETH instrument from 21Shares clocked 90% and 62% respectively.


21Shares Tezos ETP

Active since: November 2019

Fund Size (in m $): 44

TER: 2.50%

Fund Domicile: Switzerland

Based On: Tezos

Returns (2021): 258.89%

Rating: 3.8

Description: Tezos is one of the smaller altcoins in the crypto market with a market cap of just $5.9 billion.

But it has shown growth potential in the recent past, tripling in value between 2019 -2020. YoY performance in 2021 has also been stellar, with a 243% growth.

The 21Shares ETP on this altcoin is an interesting option with current annual returns pegged at 275%.


bitcoin-cash-bch-logo21Shares Bitcoin Cash ETP

Active since: July 2019

Fund Size (in m $): 12.76

TER: 2.50%

Fund Domicile: Germany

Based On: Bitcoin Cash

Returns (2021): 82.90%

Rating: 3.5

Description: Created by a fork in the original bitcoin in 2017, Bitcoin Cash (BCC) is an altcoin with a market cap of around $11 billion in 2021.

The 21Shares ETP has displayed modest growth of 78.74% in 2021 returns, and a   cumulative increase of 133.27%. For reference, the YoY returns on physical holdings of BCC in 2021 were around 82.6%.

The BCC ETF might be an interesting option for investors looking at crypto ETFs that track altcoins besides the big two (Bitcoin and Ethereum).


Summary

Due to its fund size, its historical track record, and its focus on Ethereum, we like the 21Shares Ethereum ETP as a top choice for investors. If you’d prefer a more diversified approach, consider the 21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP, which will give you exposure to more crypto assets.

 

Related Articles:

To learn more about the basics of investing in bitcoin ETFs, check out our in-depth guide on the process here. And if you find the information provided here helpful, please consider subscribing to the Bitcoin Market Journal for daily blockchain market updates.

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