
If you're new to investing in Bitcoin and ETFs, Merrill Edge is a great place to start. They offer a range of investment products, including Bitcoin futures and the VanEck Vectors Bitcoin ETN (VBTOF).
Merrill Edge requires a minimum $100 deposit to open a brokerage account, but there's no minimum balance requirement to trade Bitcoin or ETFs. This makes it easy to get started with investing in these products.
To buy Bitcoin or ETFs on Merrill Edge, you'll need to download their mobile app or log in to their website. You can then search for the product you're interested in and place a trade.
Recommended read: Bitcoins Trade Investment
Where to Buy Bitcoin
You can buy Bitcoin through various online brokers that offer ETFs, often with no trade commission. One major brokerage, Fidelity, had its own spot Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), approved.
If you're looking for a reliable platform, consider Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade, Robinhood, or Interactive Brokers, all of which have confirmed they offer approved spot Bitcoin ETFs on their platforms. These brokers have received high ratings from NerdWallet, with Fidelity earning a 5.0/5 rating.
Here's a brief comparison of these brokers:
Where to Buy Spot ETFs

If you're looking to buy spot Bitcoin ETFs, you're in luck because many online brokers now offer them with no trade commission. Fidelity, for example, has its own spot Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which has been approved.
You can find spot Bitcoin ETFs at a variety of online brokers, including Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers. These brokers have confirmed that they offer some or all of the approved spot Bitcoin ETFs on their platforms.
Fidelity stands out as a top option, with a NerdWallet rating of 5.0/5 and no trade commission fees for online U.S. stocks and ETFs. The account minimum is also a low $0.
Here's a comparison of some of the top brokers offering spot Bitcoin ETFs:
Keep in mind that while these brokers offer spot Bitcoin ETFs, other fees may still apply. It's always a good idea to review the terms and conditions before opening an account.
Buy Spot ETFs

You can buy spot Bitcoin ETFs at many online brokers that offer ETFs, often with no trade commission.
One major brokerage, Fidelity, had its own spot Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), approved.
Many of the brokers that make our list of the best brokers for ETFs have confirmed they now offer some or all of the approved spot Bitcoin ETFs on their platforms, including Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers.
Fidelity, Merrill Edge, and E*TRADE are some of the online brokers that offer spot Bitcoin ETFs with no trade commission.
Here are some details about these brokers:
You can also buy spot Bitcoin ETFs through Wells Fargo Advisors or the WellsTrade platform, as they have been offering these investment vehicles to eligible wealth management clients.
Bitcoin ETF Options
If you're considering investing in Bitcoin through a brokerage account, you'll be happy to know that spot Bitcoin ETFs are available at many online brokers with no trade commission.

Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers are among the brokers that offer these ETFs on their platforms.
You can choose from a variety of brokers, including Fidelity, which has its own spot Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC).
Here are some of the top brokers that offer spot Bitcoin ETFs, along with their NerdWallet ratings and fees:
BofA Merrill, Wells Fargo Offering Spot
BofA Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo have been offering spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds to eligible wealth management clients.
These ETFs have been available to clients for weeks, a source familiar with Bank of America's plans told Reuters.
Spot bitcoin ETFs offer investors exposure to the world's largest cryptocurrency without directly holding it.
Wells Fargo said in an emailed statement that spot bitcoin ETFs are available for unsolicited purchases through an advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors or through their online WellsTrade platform.
The growing popularity of such investments has even prompted some investors to swap out holdings in gold-backed ETFs, with bitcoin often touted as the "digital gold".
Bitcoin has hit $60,000 for the first time in more than two years, and analysts are predicting a surge in price.
On a similar theme: Gold Coin Crypto
GBTC Ban

The GBTC ban by Merrill Lynch is a significant development in the cryptocurrency market. Specifically, the bank prohibited its clients from purchasing shares of the Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC).
Merrill Lynch's decision is noteworthy because GBTC is the only regulated channel for bank clients to trade bitcoin. Outside of that, there are bitcoin futures exchanges operated by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and CME Group.
The bank's advisor told WSJ that the company made an assessment that there's too much risk involved in buying bitcoin. This highlights the unclear definition of risk in cryptocurrency trading.
However, every year, individual investors lose billions of dollars in the global stock market, yet banks enable investors to invest in the stock market. This raises questions about the banks' authority to decide which assets are risky or safe.
In a free market, investors have the right to invest in whichever asset or currency they choose, and the market decides the value of an asset. Clients of Merrill Lynch are not obligated to remain with the bank if they're dissatisfied with the decision to ban bitcoin trading.
Other leading financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are providing a platform for investors in the traditional finance market to engage in cryptocurrency trading.
For more insights, see: Stock Market Investors
Vanguard and Merrill Lynch Skip ETFs

Vanguard, one of the largest asset managers in the world, has made it clear that it has no intention of offering a spot Bitcoin ETF or any other crypto-related products.
The firm cited a "weak" investment case for digital assets, highlighting that most cryptocurrencies lack intrinsic economic value and generate no cash flows.
Unlike traditional stocks and bonds, cryptocurrencies don't produce income, making them less appealing to some investors.
This decision is in contrast to other major asset management firms, such as BlackRock and Fidelity, which have already launched their spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Merrill Lynch, owned by Bank of America, has also followed Vanguard's lead and is currently not allowing its customers access to BTC spot ETFs.
The company is reportedly waiting to assess the efficiency of these ETFs before considering any changes to its internal policy that currently prohibits such products.
This move has prompted concern among investors who were eager to invest in Bitcoin through these newly approved ETFs.
Intriguing read: Warren Buffett Cryptocurrencies
Search ETF

To search for a Bitcoin ETF, you can use the brokerage's search tool or ETF screener. This will allow you to search for the ETF by its name or ticker symbol.
You can find the search tool on your brokerage's website or mobile app. Fidelity, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers all offer this feature, as mentioned in the article.
To compare different Bitcoin ETFs, look for the fund's expense ratio, which ranges from 0.19% to 1.50%. This means that if you invest $100, you'll pay between 19 cents and $1.50 per year.
Here are some popular brokerages that offer spot Bitcoin ETFs, along with their ratings and fees:
Remember to check for any promotions or bonuses that your brokerage may be offering, such as Fidelity's $0 promotion or E*TRADE's up to $1,000 promotion.
ETF Definition
An ETF is similar to a standard shipping container that can hold many different types of goods and be loaded onto any semi-truck or container ship.
ETFs can hold many types of investments and be bought and sold like a stock on nearly every major retail brokerage.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs directly track the price of Bitcoin, making it easier to add to your portfolio.
You can purchase Bitcoin ETFs in many standard brokerage accounts, and in some cases, within your IRA or other retirement account.
ETF Pros
Buying Bitcoin ETFs on Merrill Edge is a great way to get started with investing in Bitcoin. You can buy Bitcoin ETFs with ease, as many people already have access to retail brokerage accounts that offer them.
Investing in Bitcoin itself can be more complicated, requiring setting up an account with a crypto exchange and potentially looking into Bitcoin wallets for storage.
One of the biggest advantages of buying Bitcoin ETFs is that they're easier to buy than Bitcoin itself. You can purchase them in many standard brokerage accounts, including some IRA or retirement accounts.
You'll also have an easier time with taxes when buying and selling Bitcoin ETFs through your traditional brokerage account. Those sales will get rolled into the rest of your trading activity for the year, making it simpler to manage your taxes.
A fresh viewpoint: Who Is Buying Bitcoins
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy bitcoin on Merrill Edge?
No, Merrill Edge does not offer spot Bitcoin trading. Consider checking our list of top brokers for Bitcoin to find a suitable alternative.
Is Merrill approved for Bitcoin ETF?
Yes, Merrill, a Bank of America Corp. arm, offers access to Bitcoin ETFs. This marks a growing trend of mainstream firms embracing Bitcoin investment products.
Sources
- https://bitcoinist.com/merrill-lynch-vanguard-says-no-to-spot-bitcoin-etfs/
- https://www.wealthmanagement.com/etfs/bank-america-s-merrill-wells-fargo-offer-bitcoin-etf-products-clients
- https://www.aol.com/news/bofas-merrill-offering-spot-bitcoin-201023476.html
- https://www.newsbtc.com/news/merrill-lynch-bans-clients-investing-bitcoin-will-backfire/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-buy-bitcoin-etfs
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