Crypto ETF Fees Compared: What You’re Really Paying Around the World

You’re about to pay anywhere from 0.21% to 2.50% annually to hold Bitcoin or Ethereum through an ETF. That spread is massive, and most investors have no idea which funds are taking advantage of them.

A $50,000 Bitcoin investment held for 20 years pays $2,100 in fees at 0.21% annually. The same investment in a high-fee fund charging 1.50% costs you $15,000 over the same period. That means you just handed $12,900 to fund managers for doing essentially the same thing: holding Bitcoin in cold storage.

The fee structure changed dramatically when U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in early 2024. BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK undercut everyone with fees around 0.20-0.25%. But outside the U.S., many crypto ETFs still charge 1.5% or more, and even within America, some legacy products are bleeding investors dry.

Let’s break down what you’re actually paying across different markets and which ETFs make sense based on where you live and how you plan to invest.

Find the Lowest Crypto ETF Fees on Your Market

Before we break down fees by region, check out our interactive tool below. Answer two quick questions, and it will show you the lowest-cost options available in your country.

U.S. Crypto ETF Fees: How American Funds Compare Globally

The U.S. market splits cleanly into two categories: competitive modern products and expensive legacy trusts.

ARK 21Shares’ ARKB charges just 0.21% annually for spot Bitcoin exposure. That’s the cheapest you’ll find in America. BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC both charge 0.25%, which is basically identical for practical purposes. On a $10,000 investment, you’re paying $21-25 per year. It’s reasonable for institutional custody and the convenience of trading through your brokerage account.

Then there’s Grayscale. Their Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) charges 1.50%, six times more than BlackRock. Why does anyone hold it? Mostly because of inertia. GBTC existed before spot ETFs were approved, and some investors haven’t bothered switching. But there’s no compelling reason to pay 1.50% when you can get the same Bitcoin exposure for 0.25% elsewhere. On that $10,000 position, Grayscale takes $150 annually while BlackRock takes $25. Over a decade, that’s $1,250 extra gone to fees.

Ethereum ETFs follow a similar pattern. BlackRock’s ETHA and Fidelity’s FETH charge 0.25% for spot Ethereum exposure. Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust (ETHE) charges a staggering 2.50%, ten times what competitors charge. That’s $250 annually per $10,000 invested versus $25 elsewhere. The math is brutal.

Futures-based crypto ETFs cost more across the board because they’re tracking futures contracts rather than holding actual cryptocurrency. ProShares’ Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) charges 0.95%, and their Ethereum Strategy ETF (EETH) also runs 0.95%. VanEck’s Bitcoin futures ETF (XBTF) undercuts them slightly at 0.65%, but it’s still triple the cost of spot ETFs. Futures products also suffer from contango drag (the cost of rolling expiring contracts forward), which eats additional returns over time.

Canadian Crypto ETF Costs: What Investors Pay Up North

Canada had crypto ETFs years before the U.S. approved them, but that first-mover advantage came with higher fees that mostly haven’t come down.

Fidelity Canada’s Bitcoin ETF charges 0.35%, higher than U.S. options but still reasonable. CI Investments’ Galaxy Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs both charge 0.68%, which is acceptable if you’re investing through Canadian accounts where cross-border holdings create tax complications.

Purpose Investments launched Canada’s first Bitcoin ETF back in 2021, but they’re charging around 1.50% for both their Bitcoin (BTCC) and Ethereum (ETHH) products. That made sense when they were the only option. Now? You’re paying 4-5x what you’d pay with Fidelity or CI Galaxy for the same exposure.

3iQ is even worse. Their Bitcoin Fund (QBTC) runs 1.95%, and their Ether Staking ETF (ETHQ) charges 1.66%. The staking feature on ETHQ at least provides some value by capturing Ethereum staking yields, but you’re still paying premium fees compared to alternatives.

For Canadian investors, the choice is clear: use Fidelity or CI Galaxy products unless you have specific reasons to do otherwise.

European Crypto ETF Pricing: Where EU and UK Products Stand

Europe’s crypto ETP market is more complex due to varying regulatory structures across countries. But still, some excellent, low-cost options are available.

CoinShares offers physically-backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs trading on the London Stock Exchange and other venues at just 0.25%, matching the best U.S. spot ETF fees. These are legitimately competitive globally. If you’re investing from Europe, CoinShares products can easily be on your shortlist.

21Shares’ Swiss-traded Bitcoin (ABTC) and Ethereum (AETH) products charge 1.49%, significantly higher than CoinShares but lower than many Canadian options. They’re decent if CoinShares isn’t available through your broker, but you’re paying roughly 6x what Americans pay for similar exposure.

Various German crypto ETCs run around 1.00%, which is acceptable but not great. VanEck and other providers offer these, and they work fine for European investors who need local tax treatment, but you’re still paying more than necessary if better options exist.

European Crypto ETF Pricing: Where EU and UK Products Stand

Europe’s crypto ETP landscape is messier because of different regulatory structures across countries, but some excellent low-cost options exist.

CoinShares offers physically-backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs trading on London Stock Exchange and other venues at just 0.25%, matching the best U.S. spot ETF fees. These are legitimately competitive globally. If you’re investing from Europe, CoinShares products should be on your shortlist.

21Shares’ Swiss-traded Bitcoin (ABTC) and Ethereum (AETH) products charge 1.49%, significantly higher than CoinShares but lower than many Canadian options. They’re decent if CoinShares isn’t available through your broker, but you’re paying roughly 6x what Americans pay for similar exposure.

Various German crypto ETCs run around 1.00%, which is acceptable but not great. VanEck and other providers offer these, and they work fine for European investors who need local tax treatment, but you’re still paying more than necessary if better options exist.

Asia and Latin America: Emerging Crypto ETF Markets

Brazil’s QR Asset Management offers a Bitcoin ETF (QBTC11) at 0.70%, higher than U.S. options but reasonable for a Latin American product. It’s the main option for Brazilian investors wanting regulated Bitcoin exposure without dealing with international accounts.

Hong Kong launched spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2025, though fee data is still emerging. Early indications suggest they’ll be competitive with global standards as Hong Kong positions itself as a crypto finance hub.

Other Asian markets remain largely futures-based or don’t have crypto ETFs yet, leaving direct crypto purchases through exchanges as the primary option for most Asian investors.

When Higher Crypto ETF Fees Actually Make Sense

Here comes an uncomfortable truth: sometimes paying higher fees is rational.

Tax efficiency can justify higher costs. If you’re a Canadian investor and buying a U.S. ETF creates cross-border tax complications that cost you more than the fee difference, paying 0.68% for CI Galaxy instead of 0.25% for a U.S. product makes sense. The same logic applies to European investors dealing with withholding taxes on U.S. securities.

Staking features add value. 3iQ’s Ether Staking ETF charges 1.66%, but it captures Ethereum staking yields around 3-4% annually. If the fund passes through 2% net to investors after fees, you’re still ahead compared to a 0.25% ETF with no staking. Do the math on your specific situation.

Convenience has value. If a slightly more expensive ETF is available through your existing brokerage and retirement account setup, while the cheaper one requires opening new accounts, the convenience might be worth 0.2-0.3% annually to you.

But these are exceptions. For most investors, lower fees win over time.

Buying Crypto Directly vs ETF Fees: The Long-Term Cost Comparison

In the ETF industry, it’s not often talked about, but buying crypto directly often costs less than any ETF over long time horizons.

Platforms like Paybis charge 0.99-4.5% upfront depending on payment method, then zero ongoing fees. Buy $10,000 of Bitcoin through Paybis (3.5% fee), and you pay $350 once. Hold for 10 years, and your total cost is still $350.

That same $10,000 in a 0.25% ETF costs $250 over 10 years. Sounds better until you realize direct ownership also gives you 24/7 trading access and the ability to stake Ethereum for 3-4% annual yields. Over a decade, those advantages compound significantly.

ETFs make sense for retirement accounts where you get tax benefits, or if you want institutional custody and don’t want to manage securities yourself. But for taxable accounts where you’re comfortable with basic crypto security, direct ownership often delivers better economics.

Bottom Line

The lowest crypto ETF fees worldwide cluster around 0.20-0.25%: ARK’s ARKB at 0.21%, BlackRock and Fidelity products at 0.25%, and CoinShares European products at 0.25%. These are globally competitive and reasonable for what you’re getting.

Anything above 0.70% should raise questions. Legacy products like Grayscale’s trusts charging 1.50-2.50% are indefensible unless you have very specific tax or structural reasons to hold them. Canadian and European products around 1.00-1.50% might make sense for local tax reasons, but are expensive compared to U.S. alternatives.

For most investors, the decision tree is simple: use the lowest-fee spot ETF available in your market for retirement accounts, and seriously consider buying crypto directly through regulated platforms like Paybis for taxable accounts where you want to avoid ongoing fees and maximize long-term returns.

So the fee war among ETF providers benefits you. You can take advantage of it.

Written by

Nurlan Suleymanov

Nurlan is a crypto journalist with six years of experience simplifying blockchain and digital finance topics for mainstream audiences. He focuses on beginner-friendly education, helping new users understand how crypto works in real life. At Paybis, he writes practical guides and explanations designed to make digital assets more accessible and less intimidating.