21Shares Ethereum ETP
21Shares is one of the most prolific crypto ETF providers in recent years.
Read our review
Crypto Basket Index ETP
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
As the name suggests, this is an ETP physically backed by bitcoin professionally secured in “cold storage.
Read our review
ETC Group Bitcoin
ETC Group is at the forefront of the crypto ETFs market, with a total AUM of $1.135 billion.
Read our reviewCrypto 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 Name | Active Since | Fund Size (in m $) | TER | Fund Domicile | Based On | Returns (2021) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21Shares Ethereum ETP | March 2019 | 349 | 1.49% | Switzerland | Ethereum | 465.39% | 4.7 |
| 21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP | November 2018 | 152 | 2.50% | Switzerland | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, Cosmos, Cardano | 242.05% | 4.4 |
| WisdomTree Bitcoin | November 2019 | 314 | 0.95% | Jersey | Bitcoin | 121.45% | 4.2 |
| BTCetc – ETC Group Physical Bitcoin | June 2020 | 1113 | 2.00% | Germany | Bitcoin | 125.96% | 4.2 |
| VanEck Vectors Ethereum ETN | March 2021 | 90 | 1.00% | Liechtenstein | Ethereum | 83.95% (6 months) | 4.2 |
| 21Shares Bitcoin ETP | February 2019 | 283 | 1.49% | Switzerland | Bitcoin | 124.82% | 4.1 |
| ETHetc – ETC Group Physical Ethereum | February 2021 | 227 | 1.49% | Germany | Ethereum | 79.68% (6 months) | 4.1 |
| Coinshares Physical Ethereum | February 2021 | 193 | 1.25% | Jersey | Ethereum | 86.01% (6 months) | 4.0 |
| 21Shares Tezos ETP | November 2019 | 44 | 2.50% | Switzerland | Tezos | 258.89% | 3.8 |
| 21Shares Bitcoin Cash ETP | July 2019 | 12.76 | 2.50% | Germany | Bitcoin Cash | 82.90% | 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.
21Shares 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.
WisdomTree 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.
BTCetc – 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.
VanEck 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.
21Shares 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.
ETHetc – 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.
Coinshares 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%.
21Shares 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:
- Bitcoin Investing 101: What is Bitcoin? How Does it Work? How Can You Invest in It?
- Blockchain Investing 101: How to Build Long-Term Wealth in the Digital Asset Markets
- DeFi Investing 101: What Is It? Where Do You Start? What Are the Risks?
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.
