Bitcoin Spot ETF vs Bitcoin Futures ETF: What's the Difference?
Bitcoin Spot ETF and Bitcoin Futures ETF are both types of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to Bitcoin. However, there are important differences between the two.

Posted on 8 Dec 2023
Bitcoin Spot ETF (Physical ETF):
- A Bitcoin Spot ETF holds physical Bitcoin as its underlying asset.
- The fund purchases and holds actual Bitcoin in custody, representing the value of the ETF.
- The price of a Bitcoin Spot ETF is determined by the spot price of Bitcoin in the market.
- Investors in a Bitcoin Spot ETF own a share of the underlying Bitcoin held by the fund.
- Spot ETFs are considered to provide direct exposure to the price movements of Bitcoin.
- The fund's value changes as the value of Bitcoin fluctuates.
Bitcoin Futures ETF:
- A Bitcoin Futures ETF holds Bitcoin futures contracts as its underlying asset.
- Futures contracts are derivative financial instruments that allow investors to speculate on the future price of Bitcoin.
- The fund does not own physical Bitcoin but rather holds positions in futures contracts.
- The price of a Bitcoin Futures ETF is based on the anticipated future price of Bitcoin in the futures market.
- Investors in a Bitcoin Futures ETF do not directly own Bitcoin but invest in the performance of the futures contracts.
- Futures ETFs are considered to provide indirect exposure to the price movements of Bitcoin.
- The fund's value changes based on the performance of the futures contracts.
In summary, a Bitcoin Spot ETF provides direct exposure to the spot price of Bitcoin by holding physical Bitcoin, whereas a Bitcoin Futures ETF provides exposure to the expected future price of Bitcoin through futures contracts.