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How to Buy iShares Bitcoin Trust Shares
In this guide
- 1. How to Buy iShares Bitcoin Trust Shares
- 2. How to buy IBIT ETF, a step-by-step guide
- 3. Where to buy iShares Bitcoin Trust
- 4. Should I invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF?
- 5. How has the IBIT ETF performed in recent years?
- 6. How to sell iShares Bitcoin Trust
- 7. Should I buy iShares Bitcoin Trust now?
- 8. Quick answers to key questions
- 9. What is the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF?
- 10. iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF vs similar Bitcoin ETFs
Trade your favourite markets with our top-rated broker, .
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
It’s simple and more convenient than ever to invest in Bitcoin. Thanks to the arrival of some top Bitcoin ETFs, you can start investing in Bitcoin with just a few clicks, in no time at all.
You can invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust through a traditional trading account. It’s a low-cost, secure way to get exposure to the world’s largest cryptocurrency, with less risk compared to trading the crypto itself.
You don’t need to sign up to a crypto exchange or manage your own crypto at all if you don’t want to, so an ETF like IBIT is the perfect route in for beginners, or casual investors.
Here we go through a step-by-step walkthrough on how to buy the iShares Bitcoin Trust, making the process simple and accessible for everyone.
How to buy IBIT ETF, a step-by-step guide
Copy link to sectionInvesting in the iShares Bitcoin Trust is quick and painless, so don’t worry even if you’re new to ETF investing. These are the steps to follow in order to complete your investment:
1. Choose a broker
Copy link to sectionYou need to use an online brokerage platform to buy shares in the IBIT ETF. We recommend eToro , but there are many different options to choose from.
The main thing to check is that the broker offers ETFs in general and the iShares Bitcoin Trust in particular. Along with that, compare the fees across similar platforms before you decide which one to use.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
2. Create an account
Copy link to sectionOnce you’ve selected your broker, simply go to their website and create an account. The steps required for this will vary from platform to platform, but generally you can expect to have to provide your name, email address, phone number, and some form of photo identification.
You can only start using the account properly after you’ve verified your identity with that form of ID. This is normal practice, in accordance with financial regulations laid down by the Securities and Exchange Commission which are designed to prevent fraud and money laundering online.
3. Deposit funds
Copy link to sectionLog into your broker account and select the option to deposit funds. Depending on your broker you’ll have a variety of payment options available; most brokers accept bank transfers and debit card payments, but not all accept e-wallets such as PayPal.
Select your preferred payment method and deposit the amount of money you wish to invest in the IBIT ETF.
4. Execute your order for IBIT ETF
Copy link to sectionSearch for the iShares Bitcoin Trust ticker symbol (IBIT) and see the current price at which the ETF is trading.
If you’re happy with the price, enter the amount of shares you wish to own and place your order.
Once you’ve placed your order, your broker automatically executes it for you and your shares will be listed in your account.
Congratulations, you’ve just invested in the iShares Bitcoin Trust!
5. Monitor your position
Copy link to sectionYou should check back regularly and monitor this position. Have a price in mind at which you’d be prepared to sell, to lock in a profit (hopefully) or limit a loss.
Where to buy iShares Bitcoin Trust
Copy link to sectionTo invest in an ETF like this, you need to sign up with an online stock broker. We recommend a platform like eToro .
Alternatively, choose any of our recommended ETF platforms below, each of them offer a beginner-friendly way to invest.
We’ve ordered them according to their value for money, regulatory status, and how easy it is to use the platform.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Plus500
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Should I invest in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF?
Copy link to sectionIt’s a perfect entry point into the Bitcoin world. If you aren’t interested signing up to a crypto exchange and buying Bitcoin directly – and there are legitimate reasons to be cautious about that – then this is a great alternative.
An ETF is an ideal investment tool for beginners because it’s cheap and easy to buy, while you benefit from greater regulation than you would get otherwise.
Here are a few reasons you might want to consider investing in iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.
- Regulation. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is subject to regulatory oversight by the SEC. This means you’ll have better protection and transparency which is often lacking in the wider crypto market.
- iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is more accessible. Rather than investing directly in Bitcoin, buying iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is easier and more accessible to the everyday investor. This makes it a good choice if you’re unsure how to navigate the crypto market.
- Simplicity. You can buy and sell shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF just like stocks and use a familiar trading platform so you won’t need to learn new processes.
- iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF takes care of custody. When you buy Bitcoin directly you’ll need to find a place to store your coins. While this is generally quite simple to do, it’s even easier buying the IBIT as everything is taken care of for you.
- Potential tax efficiency. Investing in an ETF generally offers a more straightforward way to report tax compared to direct ownership of crypto. Although this largely depends on your local jurisdiction and tax rules.
You should know that this is not the only Bitcoin ETF available. It’s one of a flurry of ETFs that were made available at around the same time.
Here are a few more Bitcoin ETFs you can buy. Most of them are very similar, but the costs and exact make-up of the ETF can vary. It’s worth comparing the investor prospectus or fact sheet to get a feel for how they differ:
How has the IBIT ETF performed in recent years?
Copy link to sectionThe current iShares Bitcoin Trust price is $0.00. As the fund is fairly new, there is not much past price performance to take into account.
One of the best ways to evaluate the performance of an ETF like the iShares Bitcoin Trust is by tracking the price of Bitcoin and comparing the two. The rises and falls of the ETF should very closely resemble the Bitcoin price. If it doesn’t, consider looking elsewhere.
Are there other ways to buy iShares Bitcoin Trust?
Copy link to sectionYes, you can invest in iShares Bitcoin Trust in several ways. One option is to buy stock in the IBIT ETF directly through an investment platform as laid out above.
Another option is to use a social copy trading platform, like eToro. Find a trader who you like and copy their iShares Bitcoin Trust trades directly to your own account.
This can be a good investment strategy for beginners and a way to learn how to buy iShares Bitcoin Trust from someone with more experience.
What are the fees for investing in iShares Bitcoin Trust?
Copy link to sectionIt depends on the stockbroker. Some platforms charge a flat fee per trade, others charge a commission as a percentage of the total trade value each time you buy IBIT ETF.
Consider that there may be other costs to trading too. Other fees can include deposit and withdrawal fees, or inactivity fees if you don’t use your account for three months or more.
These are the trading platforms that charge the lowest fees for buying iShares Bitcoin Trust.
| Asset | eToro fees | Plus500 fees | Public fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto | 1% | From 2% | 1-2% (spread) |
| Commodities | From 2 pips | From 0.04% | – |
| Forex | From 1 pip | – | – |
| Index prices | From 0.75 pts | From 0.7% | – |
| Stocks | 0% commission | From 0.08% | Spreads |
| Stock CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
| ETF CFDs | 0.15% | – | – |
| View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > | Public > |
How to sell iShares Bitcoin Trust
Copy link to sectionWhen you decide the time is right to sell and lock in some profit (or cut your losses), log into your broker account and navigate to your portfolio.
From there, find your iShares Bitcoin Trust holding and you’ll see a ‘sell’ option next to it. Click that to set the details of the trade (you don’t have to sell all your stocks at once) and sell back to cash.
Should I buy iShares Bitcoin Trust now?
Copy link to sectionIt’s your investing goals and style that define whether now is a good time to buy. The current IBIT ETF price plays into it but ultimately it depends on your investment horizons.
- If you’re a short term trader: the goal is to make money by buying and selling stocks regularly to secure a profit or avoid a loss. That can mean trading hourly, daily, or weekly but the focus is always on the near future. Traders learn how to buy shares in iShares Bitcoin Trust based on short term technical analysis and don’t hold shares for a long time, so any time can be a good time to buy IBIT.
- If you’re a long term investor: you’re more interested in long term price appreciation than whether a stock is up or down on any given day. The important thing is finding a stock with a strong foundation where you think the share price will be up over a period of months or years. If you think the iShares Bitcoin Trust fundamentals are solid then the best time to invest in IBIT ETF shares is after a dip or a pullback in price.
Most new traders sit somewhere between these two positions. You don’t want to actively trade iShares Bitcoin Trust all hours of the day but you don’t want to wait years for a return either.
Either way, following IBIT price news and analysis will help you decide when to dip your toe into the market.
Quick answers to key questions
Copy link to sectionIs the iShares Bitcoin Trust overvalued?
Copy link to sectionThere is no perfect way to value an ETF. You can use financial metrics like the P/E ratio to compare share prices among IBIT ETF and its competitors, where a higher ratio indicates that an ETF is more expensive. But lots of different factors play into the iShares Bitcoin Trust share price and the ‘right’ valuation is often a matter of opinion.
Do I have to pay capital gains tax on any profits I make?
Copy link to sectionIt depends on where you live but you do normally have to pay capital gains tax any time you make money from investing in the iShares Bitcoin Trust.
Capital gains tax is often charged at 10-15% of your profit but there are ways to limit the amount you have to pay, by using tax-friendly stock market investment vehicles and writing off losses.
Speak to an accountant or a tax professional and check the tax laws where you live to find out more.
What is iShares Bitcoin Trust‘s ticker symbol?
Copy link to sectionThe iShares Bitcoin Trust ticker symbol is IBIT. A ticker symbol, or stock code, is an exchange traded fund’s unique identifier so that you can find them on stock exchanges.
Is the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF ESG friendly?
Copy link to sectionNo, the iShares Bitcoin Trust is not considered an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) friendly investment. Bitcoin mining has large energy usage, there is limited transparency & governance, and it is a speculative asset class.
What is the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF?
Copy link to sectionThe iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is a Bitcoin exchange traded fund launched after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. This approval was a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency market, as it opened the doors to Bitcoin investing to a wider range of investors.
A Bitcoin ETF is an investment fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin. Unlike directly purchasing Bitcoin from a cryptocurrency exchange and managing a digital wallet, by investing in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF you will have exposure to BTC’s price movements without having to worry about the complexities and security risks of handling digital assets directly.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is traded on major stock exchanges, just like traditional ETFs, and can be bought and sold through a regular brokerage account.
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF vs similar Bitcoin ETFs
Copy link to sectionThe iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is one of the top funds for investors wanting to gain exposure to Bitcoin. When comparing IBIT to its competitors a few key features stand out.
First is the expense ratio, which is the percentage of your investment that goes towards fees. IBIT’s expense ratio is 0.25% which is generally in line with the average among the best Bitcoin ETFs. Compared to the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, which charges 1.50%, IBIT is considerably cheaper.
In terms of popularity and assets under management IBIT is one of the most popular Bitcoin ETFs, partly thanks to being backed by BlackRock, one of the world’s largest fund providers. It’s important to remember that Bitcoin ETFs are still relatively new and until the landscape settles, comparing funds could be tricky.
