A Bitcoin ETF lets investors gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually buying or storing the cryptocurrency themselves. Instead, the fund holds Bitcoin (or Bitcoin-related contracts) while investors simply buy shares on a stock exchange, with the share price moving alongside Bitcoin's market value. Being a regulated financial product, it provides a safer, more accessible way to invest in Bitcoin through familiar brokerage accounts.
For perspective: Global assets under management (AUM) in the wealth market reached $159 trillion in 2024, after growing by 20% over the prior five years, according to the Natixis Wealth Industry Survey. As for private assets specifically, PitchBook has projected that AUM held by general partners (GPs) will increase from $18.7 trillion in 2024 to $24.1 trillion by the end of 2029.