Get exposure to crypto-assets

Digital assets: An umbrella term that refers to cryptoassets, stablecoins, and financial assets issued as tokens on a blockchain.

Cryptoassets, or cryptocurrencies, or crypto: Digital assets that exist only online and are built and stored on a record-keeping system called a blockchain. They use codes (cryptography) to keep them safe, let people trade directly with each other (peer-to-peer), and keep track of who owns what on a public record, without the need for banks.

Bitcoin: Bitcoin is the world’s leading and most widely adopted cryptocurrency and the first digital asset to gain widespread global adoption.² Bitcoin is a digital currency not regulated by central banks or governments, that can be transferred from one person to another anywhere in the world. These transactions are recorded on a secure digital database called the blockchain, and once recorded cannot be changed.

Blockchain: A digital database that is shared amongst a network of computers. As a database, a blockchain stores information about transactions of digital assets, including who all the previous owners are, and who the asset belongs to now. What makes blockchain so innovative is that the previous records cannot be changed and any new entry must be verified by the network of computers, meaning you don’t need to place trust in a individual or institution to verity the records.

Cryptoasset risk: Cryptoasset platforms may be at risk of being hacked or exploited and may involve significant risks due to a compromise of private keys, which may result in losses. Market disruption and government intervention can make digital assets illegal.

As cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have grown in popularity, so have the investment options. Investors can invest directly in a digital asset like bitcoin through crypto exchanges. For investors who prefer the convenience of exchange-traded products (ETPs), Bitcoin ETPs can provide exposure through a traditional brokerage account.

We recommend you consult with a financial professional to determine if getting exposure to cryptocurrency such as bitcoin that aligns with your personal investment goals. There are several factors to consider.

Cryptoasset risk: Cryptoasset platforms may be at risk of being hacked or exploited and may involve significant risks due to a compromise of private keys, which may result in losses. Market disruption and government intervention can make digital assets illegal.

An ETF is a collection of investments like stocks and bonds bundled together in a single fund. ETFs are easy to trade – investors can buy and sell them on the stock market much like an individual stock.

An ETP provides access to the price of an underlying asset (like bitcoin) or a bundle of assets. It can be bought or sold on the stock market just like an ETF but may have a slightly different legal structure.

Cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) provide investors with a more accessible way to gain exposure to digital assets like bitcoin, removing the operational, tax, and custody complexities associated with holding the bitcoin directly.

Crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) are generally accessible on brokerage platforms — the same place where investors typically purchase stocks, bonds, and other ETFs/ETPs.

Cryptoasset linked securities risk: The value of the ETP securities is closely tied to acceptance, industry developments, and governance changes, making them susceptible to market sentiment. Digital assets represent a new and rapidly evolving industry, and the value of the ETP securities depends on their acceptance.