Crypto
Want Cryptocurrency Exposure? Here Are 2 Bitcoin ETFs You Can Buy Right Now | The Motley Fool
These are two ways to invest in Bitcoin without buying it directly.
When it comes to investing in Bitcoin (BTC 0.59%) and other cryptocurrencies, there are two main ways to go. You can buy the cryptocurrencies themselves with the hope they go up in value over time, or you can invest in businesses that are involved in the crypto economy or that could benefit from it. With that in mind, here are two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can give your portfolio exposure to Bitcoin and related companies without requiring you to buy the digital currency on an exchange or select individual Bitcoin-related stocks.
Should you buy a low-cost Bitcoin ETF instead of owning directly?
Several different ETFs own Bitcoin, but the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT 0.54%) is by far the largest, with more than $22 billion in assets. Virtually 100% of the fund’s assets are in the form of Bitcoin, and Coinbase (COIN -0.44%) is the ETF’s custodian.
The fund aims to track the price of Bitcoin over time, net of fees. It has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is certainly on the lower end for crypto ETFs and is reasonable in light of the operational costs and other challenges and inconveniences of owning directly.
Not only is owning a Bitcoin ETF like the iShares Bitcoin Trust easier than buying and selling the cryptocurrency on an exchange, but it can also reduce other complications, including tax-related ones. Buying and selling Bitcoin itself can create significant tax implications, especially if you use it to make or receive a payment. The tax implications of this ETF can be far more straightforward.
Should you invest in Bitcoin innovation instead?
Another way to invest in Bitcoin is to buy an ETF that has lots of exposure to Bitcoin-adjacent businesses, such as cryptocurrency exchanges and financial technology companies. One that looks especially interesting is the Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF 0.44%), an actively managed fund operated by Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest.
To be sure, this isn’t a pure cryptocurrency play. The fund invests in other areas of financial technology innovation, such as digital wallet providers and e-commerce businesses. Its largest holding, Shopify (SHOP 0.16%), has little connection with cryptocurrency.
But the fund does have a lot of exposure to crypto and related businesses. Crypto exchange Coinbase is the fund’s second-largest holding, and Block (SQ -1.08%), which has extensive exposure to Bitcoin, is number three. Robinhood (HOOD 0.13%), which allows customers to easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies, and Ark’s own Bitcoin ETF are also among the top positions.
The fund’s expense ratio of 0.75% is a bit on the higher end, but that’s reasonable for a highly specialized, actively managed fund.
Which is right for you?
To be perfectly clear, you don’t necessarily need cryptocurrency exposure in your stock portfolio, and Bitcoin (and related businesses) tend to be more volatile than the average stock investment. However, if you’re a believer in the global cashless economy or believe Bitcoin is going to continue to move toward mainstream usage and adoption, getting a piece of one of these two ETFs could be a smart way to invest.
Matt Frankel has positions in Block and Shopify. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Block, Coinbase Global, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Crypto
Iran’s Cryptocurrency Toll System Emerges In The Strait Of Hormuz, Posing Economic Chalenges : Analysis | Crowdfund Insider
Iran has introduced mandatory cryptocurrency payments for commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis and blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs have both independently documented the latest scheme, which now represents the first known instance of a nation-state levying transit fees in crypto at a critical global maritime chokepoint.
As highlighted by Chainalysis and TRM Labs in detailed updates, the system, administered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), took effect in mid-March 2026.
Ship operators must contact an IRGC-linked intermediary, submit comprehensive details—including vessel ownership, flag state, cargo manifests, crew lists, and destination ports—and undergo screening.
Unsurprisingly and as expected, vessels tied to the United States or Israel are barred from passage entirely.
Approved ships negotiate fees based on a five-tier “friendliness” scale, pay in Chinese yuan (via Kunlun Bank’s CIPS system) or cryptocurrency, and receive a VHF-broadcast passcode along with an escorted route through the northern corridor near Larak Island.
Tolls typically range from $0.50 to $1 per barrel of crude oil, with fully loaded very large crude carriers (VLCCs) facing bills of up to $2 million.
Iran’s parliament formalized the arrangement on March 30–31, 2026, through the “Strait of Hormuz Management Plan,” explicitly authorizing payments in rials, yuan, or “digital currencies.”
A dedicated crypto-conversion window on Qeshm Island now handles incoming funds, converting them into local currency or foreign accounts.
Although a rather weak, tentative Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 7, 2026, reports indicate the toll regime remains operational.
Analysts highlight the IRGC’s dominant role in Iran’s crypto economy.
The Guard controlled roughly half of the country’s on-chain activity in late 2025, with associated addresses receiving more than $2 billion in 2024 and surpassing $3 billion in 2025—conservative estimates drawn from sanctions designations and seizure records.
While Iranian officials have publicly referenced Bitcoin, industry observers believe stablecoins such as USDT are preferred for their price stability and liquidity, aligning with the IRGC’s long-standing sanctions-evasion strategy.
The economic stakes are enormous. Roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits the Strait.
TRM Labs now estimates daily revenue from oil tankers alone could reach $20 million, scaling to $600–800 million monthly when LNG carriers are included.
Iranian sources reportedly project annual collections as high as $120 billion at full capacity.
The initiative extends Iran’s established use of crypto for oil sales, weapons procurement, and proxy financing.
By bypassing traditional banking rails, Tehran potentially reduces exposure to U.S. sanctions enforcement.
However, blockchain transparency offers regulators and stablecoin issuers tools to monitor flows and impose targeted freezes once wallet addresses are identified. But this is only the case with private, permissioned chains and certain stablecoins like USDC or USDT. Other coins may not be frozen so easily if at all.
Shipping companies now face heightened compliance risks, including potential penalties for unlicensed dealings with sanctioned entities. But just how exactly this can continue to be enforced remains unclear due to rapid advancements in digital technology.
This crypto toll “booth” sets a precedent that could inspire other sanctioned states to monetize strategic waterways. And this trend is likely to continue, potentially putting an end to US-led hegemony.
As the IRGC embeds digital currency infrastructure into sovereign revenue streams, the development indicates that nation states may no longer be crippled by international sanctions. Perhaps in the future, it will become very challenging if not impossible to restrict economic transactions between different countries to the rise of permissionless cryptocurrencies.
Kraken Valued at $13 Billion After Deutsche Börse Stake
Deutsche Börse has taken a minority stake in crypto exchange Kraken, marking one of the clearest signs yet of Europe’s largest market operator deepening its exposure to digital assets.
The German exchange group said it invested $200 million in Payward, Kraken’s parent company, securing roughly a 1.5% fully diluted ownership. The transaction values Kraken at about $13.3 billion, according to reporting by Bloomberg.
The move builds on an existing relationship between the two firms and signals a broader push to integrate traditional financial infrastructure with crypto markets. The partnership is expected to focus on regulated offerings, including tokenized assets and derivatives, while improving liquidity for institutional clients.
As part of the collaboration, Kraken will integrate with 360T, Deutsche Börse’s foreign exchange trading platform. The connection is designed to provide Kraken users with access to bank-grade foreign exchange liquidity, potentially streamlining the conversion between fiat currencies and digital assets.
The companies also plan to expand the use of Kraken Embed, a service that allows institutions to offer crypto trading and custody under their own brands. The initiative targets banks, fintech firms, and asset managers seeking to enter the digital asset space without building infrastructure from scratch.
Further developments are expected, subject to regulatory approval. These include enabling trading of derivatives listed on Eurex, Deutsche Börse’s derivatives exchange, through Kraken’s platform.
The investment underscores a growing convergence between established financial institutions and the crypto sector. For Kraken, the backing from Deutsche Börse provides capital and strategic alignment with one of Europe’s most influential financial market operators. For Deutsche Börse, the stake offers a direct foothold in a global crypto platform at a time when competition for digital asset infrastructure is intensifying.
The deal also reflects a broader trend of legacy financial firms moving beyond exploratory partnerships toward equity investments in crypto companies. By combining trading, custody, and tokenization capabilities, both firms are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of institutional flows into digital assets.
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