The world of digital assets has evolved rapidly, and with over $3.7 trillion in total cryptocurrency market capitalization, investor interest in crypto exposure continues to surge. In response, crypto ETFs have emerged as a popular gateway for retail and institutional investors seeking regulated, exchange-traded access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and blockchain-related companies—without the complexities of direct ownership or crypto wallet management.
2025 marks a pivotal year for cryptocurrency ETFs in Australia and globally. Following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) landmark approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, Australia’s ASX followed suit, greenlighting products like the VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC) and others. These developments have reignited discussions about the role of digital assets in diversified investment portfolios.
This article examines the top-performing and most accessible Bitcoin ETFs, Ethereum ETFs, and crypto innovators ETFs available on Australian exchanges in 2025. We’ll evaluate them based on cost, liquidity, performance, and long-term viability—helping you make an informed investment decision.
Core Keywords
- Bitcoin ETF
- Ethereum ETF
- Crypto ETF Australia
- Best crypto ETF 2025
- Spot Bitcoin ETF
- Cryptocurrency investment
- ETF liquidity
- ETF management fee
Available Crypto ETFs on Australian Exchanges
As of 2025, several crypto-focused ETFs are actively traded on Australian exchanges, offering various exposure types:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – Direct or indirect exposure to Bitcoin’s price.
- Ethereum (ETH) – Exposure to the second-largest cryptocurrency.
- Crypto Innovators – Investment in companies involved in blockchain, mining, and crypto infrastructure.
Note: Cosmos Asset Management delisted several of its crypto ETFs (DIGA, CBTC, CPET, BT3Q), and ET3Q has also closed.
Here are the currently available options:
| Ticker | ETF Name | Exposure | Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRYP | BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF | Crypto-related companies | ASX |
| EBTC | Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | Cboe Australia |
| EETH | Global X 21Shares Ethereum ETF | Ethereum | Cboe Australia |
| VBTC | VanEck Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | ASX |
| BTXX | DigitalX Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | ASX |
| QBTC | BetaShares Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | ASX |
| QETH | BetaShares Ethereum ETF | Ethereum | ASX |
Cboe Australia was formerly known as Chi-X.
Market Size and Asset Growth
The BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (CRYP) remains the largest crypto ETF in Australia by assets under management (AUM), with **A$144 million** in net assets. Launched in November 2021, it made history as the fastest Australian ETF to reach $100 million in investor capital—achieving the milestone just four days after launch.
In contrast, the Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC) launched in 2022 during a market downturn, which impacted early adoption. Despite being listed on Cboe Australia, it currently holds A$184.4 million in AUM—slightly ahead of CRYP—but faces challenges in liquidity and trading volume compared to newer entrants.
👉 Discover how Bitcoin ETFs are reshaping portfolio strategies in 2025.
Costs and Slippage: What You Really Pay
When evaluating crypto ETFs, two key cost factors matter:
- Management Fee (MER) – Annual cost charged by the fund manager.
- Buy/Sell Spread (Slippage) – The difference between bid and ask prices; impacts round-trip trading costs.
As of March 31, 2025:
| Ticker | Management Fee | Buy/Sell Spread |
|---|---|---|
| CRYP | 0.67% | 0.25% |
| VBTC | 0.49% | 0.18% |
| BTXX | 0.49% | 0.38% |
| QBTC | 0.45% | 0.36% |
| QETH | 0.45% | 0.30% |
VBTC stands out as the most cost-efficient option overall due to its low spread (0.18%), making it ideal for frequent traders. Meanwhile, QBTC and QETH offer the lowest management fees at 0.45%, but higher spreads reduce their edge for short-term trades.
CRYP, once the lowest-cost option, is now the most expensive among peers due to increased fees and wider spreads.
Liquidity: How Easy Is It to Trade?
Liquidity determines how quickly you can enter or exit a position without affecting the price.
- VBTC leads with an average daily trading volume of nearly $3 million**, surpassing CRYP’s **$1.3 million.
- QBTC follows with $156,000 per day.
- Other ETFs like BTXX and EETH remain relatively illiquid compared to mainstream global equity ETFs, which can see $10 million+ in daily volume.
High liquidity reduces slippage and improves execution—making VBTC and CRYP the most practical choices for active investors.
Performance and Track Record
Most crypto ETFs are too new for long-term performance analysis. However, available data reveals important trends:
| Ticker | Index Tracked | Inception (ETF) | 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return (p.a.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRYP | Bitwise Crypto Innovators Index | Nov 2021 | -6.7% | -11.2% |
| VBTC | MarketVector Bitcoin Benchmark Rate | Jun 2024 | 56.1% | 52.8% |
| BTXX | CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate | Jul 2024 | N/A | N/A |
| QBTC | Bitwise Bitcoin Index (NYSE) | Feb 2025 | 4.3% | N/A |
| QETH | Bitwise Ethereum Index | Feb 2025 | 4.3% | N/A |
Data as at March 31, 2025.
Despite recent rallies, many crypto ETFs remain down since inception, particularly those launched during market peaks (e.g., CRYP in late 2021). Historical patterns show that thematic ETFs often launch when retail enthusiasm is high—just before downturns.
For example:
- CRYP delivered a one-month return of -14.2% and a one-year return of -11.7%.
- VBTC, launched during a more stable period, shows strong momentum with a 56.1% one-year return.
U.S. comparisons also highlight growth:
- IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust): $47.8 billion AUM, 17.0% one-year return.
- GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust): $15.9 billion AUM, 14.6% return.
👉 See how global crypto ETF trends are influencing Australian markets today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a crypto ETF?
A: A cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund (ETF) provides investors with exposure to digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum through traditional stock exchanges—without needing to buy or store crypto directly.
Q: Are Bitcoin ETFs safe?
A: Regulated spot Bitcoin ETFs (like VBTC or QBTC) are considered safer than holding crypto on exchanges because they are custodied by licensed institutions and subject to regular audits.
Q: How do I choose the best crypto ETF?
A: Consider management fees, trading spreads, liquidity, underlying index, and whether you want direct crypto exposure or investment in blockchain companies.
Q: Is now a good time to invest in crypto ETFs?
A: While recent performance has been strong, cryptocurrencies remain highly volatile. Investors should assess their risk tolerance and only allocate a small portion of their portfolio—typically 1–5%.
Q: What’s the difference between CRYP and VBTC?
A: CRYP invests in global companies involved in crypto innovation (e.g., miners, tech firms), while VBTC offers direct exposure to Bitcoin’s price via spot holdings.
Q: Do crypto ETFs pay dividends?
A: Most do not. However, some may distribute minor income from staking or lending activities, though this is rare in Australian-listed products.
Final Thoughts: Should You Invest?
Cryptocurrencies are high-volatility assets that can experience severe drawdowns—seen clearly in past crashes (2011, 2015, 2018, early 2022). While they offer potential for outsized gains, they also carry significant risk.
The Stockspot 2022 ETF Report revealed that investors lost over $100 million in niche thematic ETFs within a single year—highlighting the dangers of chasing trends without proper due diligence.
If you're considering adding crypto exposure:
- Limit allocation to a small percentage of your portfolio.
- Prioritize low-cost, liquid funds like VBTC or QBTC.
- Avoid emotional timing; dollar-cost averaging can reduce volatility risk.
- Diversify across asset classes to maintain balance.
👉 Start your journey into regulated crypto investing with confidence in 2025.
Crypto ETFs represent a maturing bridge between traditional finance and digital assets. As regulation improves and institutional adoption grows, these products will likely become more stable and accessible. For now, informed, cautious participation is key.