2 Best Cryptocurrency ETF Funds. These ETFs offer South African investors access to the crypto markets through internationally registered exchanges. As of now, there are no cryptocurrency ETFs available for public trading in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, however, such options enable investment through global platforms.
In this in-depth guide you’ll learn:
- The Best Crypto EFT for Beginners.
- What is Cryptocurrency EFT?
- Best Crypto Trading Platform for Professionals.
- Pros and cons of each broker.
- Popular FAQs about the best Cryptocurrency EFT Funds?
And lots more…
Let’s dive right in…
Best Cryptocurrency ETF Funds
| 🪙ETF Name | 📌Ticker Symbol | 🔖Description | 🧾Listed Exchange | 🗄Exposure |
| 📍AdvisorShares Managed Bitcoin ETF | CRYP | Actively managed ETF that invests in Bitcoin futures, offering exposure to Bitcoin without direct ownership. | NYSE Arca | Bitcoin futures |
| 📍Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF | BITQ | Focuses on companies involved in the crypto industry, such as exchanges and firms holding significant crypto assets like Coinbase and MicroStrategy. | NYSE Arca | Crypto sector companies |
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What is ETF in cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track the price performance of cryptocurrencies by investing in a portfolio linked to their instruments.
Although there are still regulatory constraints in place, the opportunities for South Africans to invest in cryptocurrency ETFs have been on the rise. Currently, there is no locally listed Bitcoin or cryptocurrency-focused ETF on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) – however, international funds are available.
2 Best Cryptocurrency ETF Funds (2025 October)
1. AdvisorShares Managed Bitcoin Strategy ETF (CRYP)
the Cryptocurrency ETF Funds AdvisorShares Managed Bitcoin Strategy ETF (CRYP), listed on the NYSE Arca, allows South Africans to invest in Bitcoin futures through an actively managed fund.
The AdvisorShares Managed Bitcoin Strategy ETF (CRYP) invests in Bitcoin using Bitcoin futures contracts instead, making it a suitable feature for investors who prefer regulated market investments in cryptocurrencies.
Although it serves as a substitute for direct buying of Bitcoin, CRYP suffers from high risks, particularly tracking risks as the instrument does not directly correlate with the price of the underlying Bitcoin asset.
To make things even more complicated, its expense ratio of about 1.50% is higher than that of most other exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the futures strategy is troublesome. Therefore, it is recommended that investors keen on this particular product and its managed nature should have a high-risk appetite.
Featured
| 🔖Attribute | 🔍Details |
| 💳Fund Name | AdvisorShares Managed Bitcoin Strategy ETF |
| 🗄Ticker Symbol | CRYP |
| 🪙Listed Exchange | NYSE Arca |
| 💳Fund Type | Actively Managed ETF |
| 📆Launch Date | October 2021 |
| 💱Objective | The ETF aims to provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin through Bitcoin futures contracts, without directly holding Bitcoin. |
| 📌Asset Class | Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin Futures) |
| 📲Management Style | Actively Managed |
| ⚙️Strategy | Invests in Bitcoin futures contracts rather than direct Bitcoin. The fund actively manages futures positions, seeking to capitalize on market opportunities. |
| 🔏Holdings | Bitcoin futures contracts; also may hold U.S. Treasury securities, money market funds, and cash-like instruments. |
| 🗳Expense Ratio | Approximately 1.50% |
| 💳Investment Suitability | Suitable for investors looking for Bitcoin exposure through regulated markets and who prefer not to directly own or manage the cryptocurrency. |
| 🧾Volatility | High – Bitcoin futures are inherently volatile, and the ETF’s performance is linked to the movements in Bitcoin prices. |
| 🔖Risk Factors | Market risk, futures-related risk, regulatory risk, liquidity risk. |
| 📏Performance | Performance depends on the Bitcoin futures market, which can be affected by the volatility and regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency space. |
| 📍Issuer | AdvisorShares |
| 🌎Custodian | U.S. Bank |
Pros and Cons
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
| CRYP offers a way to invest in Bitcoin through Bitcoin futures contracts | Bitcoin futures contracts are highly volatile |
| The fund may also invest in U.S. Treasury securities | Since CRYP does not hold actual Bitcoin but invests in futures contracts |
| CRYP is actively managed | CRYP is more expensive than many other ETFs |
| CRYP can be easily bought and sold like regular stocks | Investors looking for direct exposure to Bitcoin might be disappointed as CRYP invests in futures |
Our findings
The ETF holds a basket of long-term contracts that are rolled over monthly, allowing investors to access the liquidity and efficiency of the underlying bitcoin markets.
2. Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ)
The Cryptocurrency ETF Funds Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) is designed to provide investors with a more eclectic approach to investing in activities related to cryptocurrencies focusing on the companies dedicated to that pursuit such as crypto exchanges, miners, and blockchain developers.
The fund’s primary objective is a passive agglomeration of the assets of the investors by the proportions of the Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Index, offering shares in major companies such as Coinbase and MicroStrategy.
While it has a comparatively lower cost ratio of 0.85%, BITQ is still exposed to extreme price volatility as a result of the nature of the crypto sector and its associated regulatory environment.
It is appropriate for investors who are interested in long-term growth in the digital currency industry but is also associated with concentration risk and fluctuations in the market.
Featured
| 🔖Attribute | 🔍Details |
| 💳Fund Name | Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF |
| 🗄Ticker Symbol | BITQ |
| 🪙Listed Exchange | NYSE Arca |
| 💳Fund Type | Passively Managed ETF |
| 📆Launch Date | May 2021 |
| 💱Objective | BITQ seeks to track the Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Index, offering exposure to companies involved in the cryptocurrency sector. |
| 📌Asset Class | Equity (Cryptocurrency and Blockchain-related companies) |
| 📲Management Style | Passively Managed (Index-tracking ETF) |
| ⚙️Strategy | Invests in companies that derive most of their revenue from cryptocurrency activities such as exchanges, mining, and blockchain technology. |
| 🔏Top Holdings | Bitcoin futures contracts; also may hold U.S. Treasury securities, money market funds, and cash-like instruments. |
| 🗳Expense Ratio | Approximately 1.50% |
| 💳Investment Suitability | Suitable for investors looking for Bitcoin exposure through regulated markets and who prefer not to directly own or manage the cryptocurrency. |
| 🧾Volatility | High – Bitcoin futures are inherently volatile, and the ETF’s performance is linked to the movements in Bitcoin prices. |
| 🔖Risk Factors | Market risk, futures-related risk, regulatory risk, liquidity risk. |
| 📏Performance | Performance depends on the Bitcoin futures market, which can be affected by the volatility and regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency space. |
| 📍Issuer | AdvisorShares |
| 🔗Index Tracked | Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Index |
| 🌎Custodian | U.S. Bank |
Pros and Cons
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
| BITQ offers exposure to a wide range of companies involved in the cryptocurrency ecosystem | The cryptocurrency market is known for its extreme price fluctuations |
| Investors gain exposure to the crypto industry without having to directly purchase or manage cryptocurrencies | The ETF is concentrated in the cryptocurrency sector |
| BITQ is more affordable compared to actively managed cryptocurrency ETFs | The cryptocurrency industry faces significant regulatory uncertainty worldwide. |
| BITQ passively tracks the Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Index | While BITQ offers exposure to the crypto industry, it does not invest in cryptocurrencies directly. |
Our findings
The Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) provides a diversified way to invest in the broader cryptocurrency industry, focusing on companies that are heavily involved in the space, such as crypto exchanges, miners, and blockchain developers.
Conclusion
Funds based on cryptocurrency ETFs are an example of a new-age class of investment products that enable investors in the cryptocurrency market without the actual holding or managing of digital currencies. Either by tracking different indices or investing in futures contracts
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a blockchain exchange-traded fund?
A Blockchain ETF is like any other exchange-traded fund, except that it holds a basket of publicly traded companies that are either directly or indirectly involved with blockchain technology and crypto assets.
What is blockchain technology?
Blockchain was developed to reduce the risk of fraud and corruption of currency by central authorities and government. Blockchain technology involves a network of independent computers that are linked by shared databases, operating on the same software.
When there is new information available, it is subsequently recorded in a ledger as a block of data which is added to the overall chain, with anyone that can access an identical record. Every transaction is validated across the chain of blocks by participants in the network.
How can I get in on cryptocurrency without buying any coins?
By purchasing stock in a company that already has a financial stake in the future of either crypto assets or blockchain technology. Crypto ETFs are a safer way to get involved because it ensures a diversified portfolio.
Which Crypto ETFs should I consider as a retail or institutional investor?
Because of slow regulations, there are only a few ETFs, and the best ones right now are indicated on this fit. Other viable options include ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, Bitcoin Futures ETFs, Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy ETF, and many others that provide investors access to Bitcoin and Ethereum, amongst several other crypto funds and crypto markets.
Which should I choose, Mutual Funds or Crypto ETFs?
Different investors will employ different investment strategies and both Mutual Funds and Crypto ETFs will offer different investment objectives. Crypto ETFs are becoming more popular as more companies are exploring blockchain technologies, making them a viable investment vessel.
Are cryptocurrency ETFs a good investment?
While crypto ETF margins may not be as large as owning your own crypto tokens, the option to invest in crypto indirectly through ETFs is something that some investors may find appealing.
What is ETF in cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track the price performance of cryptocurrencies by investing in a portfolio linked to their instruments.
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