Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

How to buy the new spot Ethereum ETFs

Regulators have cleared spot Ethereum ETFs for trading. Here's how to buy in.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first spot ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

This means you can now get exposure to ethereum’s price through a traditional investment option and have greater access to invest in this asset through your retirement accounts.

Here’s what you need to know.

Our top picks for ETF investing

Alternative pick for crypto trading

Go to site
  • $0 commission trading
  • Instant withdrawals with a 1.75% fee
  • Supports 250+ cryptocurrencies
  • High-yield account earns up to 4.65% APY
Terms apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Available in the US, CA, UK and AU

Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.

Top pick for advanced traders

Go to site
  • Trade options, futures, options on futures, stocks, ETFs
  • $0 commission to close options
  • Pro-grade platform and risk analysis tools

Top pick for best mobile experience

Go to site
  • Trade $0 commission stocks, ETFs, and options with as little as $1
  • After-hours trading available
  • Earn 4.5% interest on uninvested cash with Gold
  • 24/7 customer support

What is a spot Ethereum ETF?

Similar to a spot bitcoin ETF, a spot Ethereum ETF is a type of ETF that will hold physical ether as its underlying asset. This contrasts Ethereum futures ETFs, which invest in Ethereum futures contracts and allow investors to speculate on the future price of the cryptocurrency without directly owning the coin.

How to buy Ethereum spot ETFs

    1. Choose a platform and open an account. If you’re a beginner, our ETF broker picks below can help you choose. Then, provide your personal information and sign up.
    2. Confirm your payment details. You’ll need to fund your account with a bank transfer, debit card or credit card.
    3. Select and research ETFs. Search the platform for the ETF ticker symbol. The platform should provide the latest information available.
    4. Buy your ETF shares. Place a market order or limit order with your preferred number of shares. It’s that simple.

The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes. You’ll need a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, your passport or driving license and a means of payment.

Latest spot Ethereum ETF updates

July 22, 2024: The US Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the first spot ethereum ETFs.(1)

June 13, 2024: US SEC Chair Gary Gensler told US Senators at a hearing on Thursday that Ethereum ETF applications could be approved this summer.

May 24, 2024: The US SEC has approved key regulatory filings tied to the issuance of spot Ethereum ETFs from Grayscale, Bitwise, BlackRock, VanEck, Ark, Invesco Galaxy, Fidelity and Franklin Templeton. The SEC must still approve the ETF issuers’ S-1 registration statements before trading can begin.(2)

May 23, 2024: Conversations concerning S-1 registration filings have started between the SEC and spot Ethereum ETF issuers, according to FOX Business journalist Eleanor Terrett.

These 9 spot Ethereum ETFs are available

The following spot Ethereum ETFs are available to trade as of July 23, 2024.(3)

ETF issuerSymbolInitial fee
21Shares Core Ethereum ETFCETH 0.00%0.21% after 6 months or $500 million
Bitwise Ethereum ETFETHW0.00%0.20% after 6 months or $500 million
Fidelity Ethereum FundFETH0.00%0.25% after Dec. 31, 2024
Franklin Ethereum ETFEZET0.00%0.19% after Jan. 31, 2025 or $10 billion
Grayscale Ethereum TrustETHE2.50%None
Grayscale Ethereum Mini TrustETH0.00%0.15% after 6 months up to $2 billion
Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETFQETH0.25%None
iShares Ethereum Trust ETFETHA0.12%0.25% after 12 months up to $2.5 billion
VanEck Ethereum ETFETHV0.00%0.20% after 12 months up to $1.5 billion

What might the spot Ethereum ETFs do for Ethereum’s price?

Approval of a spot ETF would make Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, accessible to a broader range of investors. Whereas many traditional brokers still don’t offer direct crypto investing, most will likely offer any approved spot Ethereum ETF, just as they have with spot bitcoin ETFs.

Since bitcoin spot ETFs began trading on January 11, 2024, investors have poured more than $12 billion into them.(4)(5) While there’s no telling the same will happen for approved spot Ethereum ETFs, demand appears high. Analysts at AllianceBernstein say ether may rally more than 75% on approval of a spot ether ETF.(6)

Ethereum ETF alternatives

While Ethereum ETFs offer a convenient way to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency, they are not the only option for investors. Here are some alternative methods to consider:

  • Direct cryptocurrency purchases. One of the most straightforward alternatives is buying Ethereum directly on a cryptocurrency exchange. Platforms like Gemini, Coinbase and Kraken allow you to purchase and hold Ethereum in a digital wallet. This method gives you full control over your Ethereum assets and the ability to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
  • Cryptocurrency stocks. Investing in publicly traded companies that are heavily involved in the cryptocurrency space is another alternative. Companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR), Square (SQ) and Tesla (TSLA) have significant holdings in cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, or are involved in the development of blockchain technologies.
4
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site

Our pick for investing directly in Ethereum

  • Available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
  • Robust security measures
  • Hot wallet insurance
  • User-friendly platform

Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.

Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Matt Miczulski's headshot
Written by

Editor, Investments

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

Matt's expertise
Matt has written 208 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Trading and investing
  • Broker and trading platform reviews
  • Money management

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site