The advent of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January heralded a torrent of novel offerings in the cryptocurrency investment space. These innovative cryptocurrency ETFs have built upon the groundwork laid by prior Bitcoin-futures-based ETFs and closed-end funds holding spot Bitcoin.

“Crypto ETFs essentially mirror the valuation of a particular cryptocurrency or a consortium of cryptocurrencies,” elucidates Brandon Zemp, CEO of BlockHash. “They tend to be cost-effective, diversified, and obviate the necessity for intricate knowledge of crypto self-custody, rendering them an accessible means to venture into the crypto market.”

The metamorphosis of cryptocurrency ETFs extended beyond spot Bitcoin ETFs. In May, the SEC greenlit applications for spot Ethereum ETFs. While the precise launch date for these spot Ethereum ETFs remains uncertain, the ETF sector is already eyeing the next major development: a spot Solana ETF. This was instigated by a pair of filings in June from asset managers VanEck and 21Shares in the U.S., currently under regulatory scrutiny. These recent developments spotlight the dynamic convergence of crypto and ETFs, offering investors a myriad of options for exposure.

“Reflecting on 2016, there was merely a single avenue to hold Bitcoin directly within your retirement portfolio,” notes Chris Kline, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Bitcoin IRA. “Presently, there are pathways to incorporate crypto assets into nearly every type of financial account, enhancing market inclusivity. It signifies that previously inaccessible capital can now invest in Bitcoin.”

Opting for a cryptocurrency ETF enables investors to sidestep the complexities of self-custody and cryptocurrency exchanges. Essentially, with these ETFs, you can trade Bitcoin akin to a conventional stock on a brokerage platform and even hold the ETFs in a tax-advantaged account such as a Roth IRA.

Nonetheless, experts caution about certain drawbacks. “ETFs are confined to standard trading hours, whereas direct-access platforms permit round-the-clock trading,” Kline explains. “Moreover, when it comes time to liquidate these assets for retirement, ETFs must be sold for dollars and distributed, whereas a direct-access platform offers greater flexibility.”

Here are seven of the premier cryptocurrency ETFs to consider investing in today:

Investing in these ETFs provides a simplified entry point into the burgeoning world of cryptocurrency, offering a blend of convenience and diversified exposure.