Is Buying Shares of a BTC ETF a good way to invest in Bitcoin?

[BTCETFInvestor]

Just recently I've decided to invest in Bitcoin and have chosen to buy shares in Fidelity's FBTC Exchange-Traded-Fund.

My choice was primarily between Fidelity's FBTC and Blackrock's IBIT. I chose FBTC because I like and trust Fidelity's service and I like their Trading Dashboard features.

Is Buying Shares of a BTC ETF a good way for non-tech new (late-to the game) investors to invest in BTC?   

[wheeljunkie]

Just recently I've decided to invest in Bitcoin and have chosen to buy shares in Fidelity's FBTC Exchange-Traded-Fund.

My choice was primarily between Fidelity's FBTC and Blackrock's IBIT. I chose FBTC because I like and trust Fidelity's service and I like their Trading Dashboard features.

Is Buying Shares of a BTC ETF a good way for non-tech new (late-to the game) investors to invest in BTC?   

Yes, ETFs are the recommended method for both low tech people and those that are overall not familiar with the practices necessary to secure your Bitcoin. Keep in mind that mistakes with Bitcoin are not reversible, so I highly recommend educating yourself deeply before you try to do self custody with any significant amount. For the time being you are better off joining us through the ETF. Welcome!

[coolcoinz]

So first of all, you're not late to the game.

Think about it. If you came to the party at $1k, knowing that a year before bitcoin was $100 and a year before $1, you'd think it's done growing and you're late.
3 years later it would be $20k and you'd probably think you're late, but ahead there was 60k, at which point people like you were saying they're late, not knowing that there's 120k ahead of them.

The other thing is considering yourself non-tech. Are you able to use a computer? Do you have a smartphone? If you do, you're capable of holding your own bitcoin.
Of course there are real dinosaurs out there, people who barely know how to operate a TV remote, but I'm sure you're not one of them.

[cr1776]

Yes.  Holding it yourself in cold storage is probably best, but FBTC and similar ETFs are certainly much easier to use with your brokerage and much easier to buy and sell, so yes, it is a good way to invest in bitcoin.

[BTCETFInvestor]

Just recently I've decided to invest in Bitcoin and have chosen to buy shares in Fidelity's FBTC Exchange-Traded-Fund.

My choice was primarily between Fidelity's FBTC and Blackrock's IBIT. I chose FBTC because I like and trust Fidelity's service and I like their Trading Dashboard features.

Is Buying Shares of a BTC ETF a good way for non-tech new (late-to the game) investors to invest in BTC?   

Yes, ETFs are the recommended method for both low tech people and those that are overall not familiar with the practices necessary to secure your Bitcoin. Keep in mind that mistakes with Bitcoin are not reversible, so I highly recommend educating yourself deeply before you try to do self custody with any significant amount. For the time being you are better off joining us through the ETF. Welcome!

I've been educating myself and have learned a whole lot. I'm very excited about Bitcoin's future. The future price predictions for BTC by the experts are mind-boggling!

[Jawhead999]

Take a look with their custody https://blockworks.co/analytics/bitcoin-etf/tracker

Fidelity use self custody, so if Fidelity Investments fails, you would lost your coins.
Blackrock use Coinbase as their custody, if Coinbase got hacked or fails, you might lost your coins.

Since I know Bitcoin before the ETF version exist, I don't know which way I use to buy Bitcoin, but I think purchase Bitcoin through exchange was never been hard.

[BTCETFInvestor]

So first of all, you're not late to the game.

Think about it. If you came to the party at $1k, knowing that a year before bitcoin was $100 and a year before $1, you'd think it's done growing and you're late.
3 years later it would be $20k and you'd probably think you're late, but ahead there was 60k, at which point people like you were saying they're late, not knowing that there's 120k ahead of them.

The other thing is considering yourself non-tech. Are you able to use a computer? Do you have a smartphone? If you do, you're capable of holding your own bitcoin.
Of course there are real dinosaurs out there, people who barely know how to operate a TV remote, but I'm sure you're not one of them.

Yes, I understand what you're saying about years ago. And, I'm sure a lot of people sold for meager gains (compared to what the future holds) and they now regret they sold.

Yes, I'm pretty good with a PC and iPhone, so it's not like I need help turning on the bathroom light!  

My plan is to buy the number of FBTC shares that equal the current (July, 2025) value of one Bitcoin (1BTC). At this time of acquiring my first FBTC in July, 2025 the price of one Bitcoin (1BTC) is about $118,000. Therefore, 1,200 shares of FBTC at a share price of $100 to $104/share equals $100,000 to $125,000; the July, 2025 price for one Bitcoin (1BTC).  Ultimately, I'd like to buy enough FBTC shares equal to the current value of 1½ BTCs and HODL...  

[Nwada001]

Buying and holding whichever shares from either Fidelity or BlackRock is not much different from using an exchange to buy and hold your bitcoin; they both share the same risk unless the investment firms are insured, and we don't know to what extent the insurance can cover if any loss happens.

And if you are just in for buying and selling instantly when profit is added, you can also choose to use any of them, but you can't send out to a private wallet since it's not real bitcoin you are holding in that wallet.

[Bitcoin Smith]

I got into the debate of same subject very recently over Reddit community, where someone suggested buying ETF is same as buying bitcoin but it's Big NO.

Bitcoin is bitcoin, everything else which can claim they are backed by bitcoin but we can't verify them we just need to trust them for storing our money in their custody which is not Satoshi visioned. Bitcoin should be move in the direction of self custody, be your own bank not the same rigged game of trusting someone with our money. Anyway it's just my opinion.

[BTCETFInvestor]

I got into the debate of same subject very recently over Reddit community, where someone suggested buying ETF is same as buying bitcoin but it's Big NO.

Bitcoin is bitcoin, everything else which can claim they are backed by bitcoin but we can't verify them we just need to trust them for storing our money in their custody which is not Satoshi visioned. Bitcoin should be move in the direction of self custody, be your own bank not the same rigged game of trusting someone with our money. Anyway it's just my opinion.

I've got a significant amount of assets in Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo - so I'm comfortable they aren't going to fail or get hacked...

[death69]

Buying a BTC ETF like FBTC is an easy way to get price exposure. Yes, it works when you do not mind technicalities or direct ownership. But you are not actually buying Bitcoin. You are buying a financial product that tracks Bitcoin's price. You do not get real custody, cannot send BTC, cannot move it off the exchange. It is convenient, regulated, but your Bitcoin lives in someone else's vault, and you trust them to let you cash out.

It is fine for traditional investors, and for people who want zero hassle. Just remember, you are getting Wall Street's version of Bitcoin, not the real thing. If you want actual control and self-sovereignty, learn to use a wallet and buy real BTC. Otherwise, the ETF suffices to simple exposure and to the majority of late adopters.. Simply know what you are owning. It is not the initial vision of Bitcoin, yet it is the way of least resistance.

[Bitcoin Smith]

...

I've got a significant amount of assets in Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo - so I'm comfortable they aren't going to fail or get hacked...

They can be trusted firms but the very first reason for the existence of bitcoin is to eliminate trusted third party aka custodians, fund managers, etc and by inheriting the same system for bitcoin too means we are just stuck with the same risks of being censored, controlled, rigged...

If you own bitcoin, you no need to trust anyone, just you have the complete access to your coins if you store them in a wallet that provide seeds/private keys and you are the ultimate controller of your funds, even if Satoshi wanted he can't do anything but that's not same with the way of ETF, or any custodial way of storing bitcoin.

[mindrust]

If you view btc as an investment, yes that’s a good way to invest in btc since you care only for the price, nothing else. From your perspective, this decision makes sense the most.

If you value the tech behind btc and have plans to use it, then you need to own btc itself. You know there are a few nice use cases. You can buy stuff with it, keep your savings in a btc address like it is a savings account… Send money globally without needing permission…

Clearly you are not interested in these and that’s why you made the right decision

[BTCETFInvestor]

Buying a BTC ETF like FBTC is an easy way to get price exposure. Yes, it works when you do not mind technicalities or direct ownership. But you are not actually buying Bitcoin. You are buying a financial product that tracks Bitcoin's price. You do not get real custody, cannot send BTC, cannot move it off the exchange. It is convenient, regulated, but your Bitcoin lives in someone else's vault, and you trust them to let you cash out.

It is fine for traditional investors, and for people who want zero hassle. Just remember, you are getting Wall Street's version of Bitcoin, not the real thing. If you want actual control and self-sovereignty, learn to use a wallet and buy real BTC. Otherwise, the ETF suffices to simple exposure and to the majority of late adopters.. Simply know what you are owning. It is not the initial vision of Bitcoin, yet it is the way of least resistance.

I've got a significant amount of assets in Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo - so I'm comfortable they aren't going to fail or get hacked...

They can be trusted firms but the very first reason for the existence of bitcoin is to eliminate trusted third party aka custodians, fund managers, etc and by inheriting the same system for bitcoin too means we are just stuck with the same risks of being censored, controlled, rigged...

If you own bitcoin, you no need to trust anyone, just you have the complete access to your coins if you store them in a wallet that provide seeds/private keys and you are the ultimate controller of your funds, even if Satoshi wanted he can't do anything but that's not same with the way of ETF, or any custodial way of storing bitcoin.

The stocks I own in my brokerage accounts at Fidelity, Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo can be sold and the proceeds made liquid. I really don't see a difference in owning shares of a BTC ETF and shares of a stock. I'm comfortable with both...     

[Uruhara]

At least you already have a good sense of confidence about investing in Bitcoin, even if you decide to buy shares instead of the actual Bitcoin itself, which you can actually store in your own wallet. However, if we're talking about whether it's a good method or not, buying ETF shares is certainly a good option. Moreover, the company you're referring to has a proven reputation, which I believe is beyond doubt. So, if that's what you feel is safest and most trustworthy, then that's the right choice for you.

Everyone has their own approach. However, if you want to invest in Bitcoin and want full control over your Bitcoin, then buying it on an exchange and sending it to your own Bitcoin wallet is the best option.

For now, you're on the right track. And I suggest you also start learning more about Bitcoin so you'll be more familiar with the investment instrument you're entering. I'm sure that once you learn more about Bitcoin, you'll become more confident in your long-term investment.

[BTCETFInvestor]

If you view btc as an investment, yes that’s a good way to invest in btc since you care only for the price, nothing else. From your perspective, this decision makes sense the most.

If you value the tech behind btc and have plans to use it, then you need to own btc itself. You know there are a few nice use cases. You can buy stuff with it, keep your savings in a btc address like it is a savings account… Send money globally without needing permission…

Clearly you are not interested in these and that’s why you made the right decision

Yes, I think you are correct that I do not have plans to use the tech behind BTC - being solely interested in the FBTC ETF share price, in that it moves pretty closely parallel with the value of BTC.  

I love learning about the tech and how some holders of BTC might use that tech, but I really do not foresee me using it like some might...    

[X-ray]

As long as it fits your need and you don't want to learn about the discipline of self custody then yes.

But if you're interested in self custody basically truly owning your BTC then it's better if you buy BTC directly.

I guess each one come with perks and disadvantage, with ETF you won't worry about taking care of your seed phrase, backing up, etc although you don't truly own your BTC.

[Marvell1]

If your sole goal in investing in bitcoin is profit, you don't care about decentralization and privacy. There is nothing wrong with investing in bitcoin through an ETF and there is nothing to worry about as some people say. So far, hundreds of billions of dollars have been invested in bitcoin through ETFs, and I believe that people who spend millions and billions of dollars to invest are not stupid and do not know what they are doing. Therefore, you can rest assured when investing through ETFs.
But if you are concerned about privacy and want to have full control over your assets. Investing through ETFs is no longer right for you.


I think investing in bitcoin by holding it yourself through a non-custodial wallet or through an ETF depends on each person's preferences and goals. Both are good and we just need to choose the solution that suits us.

[BitGoba]

Just recently I've decided to invest in Bitcoin and have chosen to buy shares in Fidelity's FBTC Exchange-Traded-Fund.

My choice was primarily between Fidelity's FBTC and Blackrock's IBIT. I chose FBTC because I like and trust Fidelity's service and I like their Trading Dashboard features.

Is Buying Shares of a BTC ETF a good way for non-tech new (late-to the game) investors to invest in BTC?   

Buying a BTC ETF is not a good idea. When you buy an ETF, you don’t actually own anything , you only own an IOU, a promise that someone else owns the actual asset for you. You have to trust the other party that they really possess the Bitcoin and that they will pay you when you ask for it.

For example, what if things go wrong hyperinflation hits the US, a civil war breaks out, or there is anarchy? How will you then access your money? In such situations, there is a high chance you could lose everything.

On the other hand, when you own Bitcoin on your hardware wallet, you truly own a bearer asset. You can always carry it with you, go anywhere in the world, and exchange it for local currency. You can directly use and spend Bitcoin, which ETFs or IOUs do not allow.

[MArsland]

If you view btc as an investment, yes that’s a good way to invest in btc since you care only for the price, nothing else. From your perspective, this decision makes sense the most.

If you value the tech behind btc and have plans to use it, then you need to own btc itself. You know there are a few nice use cases. You can buy stuff with it, keep your savings in a btc address like it is a savings account… Send money globally without needing permission…

Clearly you are not interested in these and that’s why you made the right decision

Yes, I think you are correct that I do not have plans to use the tech behind BTC - being solely interested in the FBTC ETF share price, in that it moves pretty closely parallel with the value of BTC.  

I love learning about the tech and how some holders of BTC might use that tech, but I really do not foresee me using it like some might...    

If you've already made up your mind and the advice of others doesn't have any impact then there's really nothing to talk about. You are better off choosing to use a third party rather than having bitcoin in your own hands. But what in the title you are still asking, while from this statement it feels like the decision is final.