Introduction
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have played an important role en bringing cryptocurrencies to a wide range of investors. In many parts of the world, investors have been able to gain access to the asset class through ETFs rather than buying Bitcoin directly. While this trend started earlier en places like the US and Europe, it has gained momentum en the Asia-Pacific region en recent years. The Asia-Pacific region is an emerging player en the global cryptocurrency ETF market, witnessing new ETF launches, growing trading volumes and regulatory approval processes. This report provides information el the current BTC ETFs operating en the region and the growth potential of crypto ETFs.
Existing Bitcoin ETFs en the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific region has a rapidly growing and diversifying market for Bitcoin ETFs. In particular, ETFs traded en Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand provide investors with direct or indirect access to Bitcoin. Below is a list of Bitcoin ETFs traded en the region:
Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active ETF (3135)
- Company: Samsung Asset Management
- Inception Date: January 2023
- Fund Objective: To track Bitcoin price movements por investing en Bitcoin futures.
Source: HKEX – Market Data
- Company: CSOP Asset Management
- Inception Date: December 2022
- Fund Objective: To provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin price movements por investing en Bitcoin futures.
Source: HKEX – Market Data
Harvest Bitcoin Spot ETF (3439, 9439)
- Company: Harvest Global Investments
- Inception Date: April 2024
- Fund Objective: To follow Bitcoin price movements por investing directly en Bitcoin.
Source: HKEX – Market Data
Bosera HashKey Bitcoin ETF (3008, 9008)
- Company: Bosera Asset Management & HashKey Group
- Inception Date: April 2024
- Fund Objective: To provide investors with direct exposure to Bitcoin price movements por investing directly en Bitcoin.
Source: HKEX – Market Data
ChinaAMC Bitcoin ETF (3042, 9042, 83042)
- Company: China Asset Management Company (ChinaAMC)
- Inception Date: April 2024
- Fund Objective: To provide access to investors por directly tracking the spot price of Bitcoin.
Source: HKEX – Market Data
Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)
- Company: BetaShares
- Inception Date: November 2021
- Fund Objective: To gain indirect exposure to the Bitcoin market por investing en crypto innovation companies.
Source: ASX – Market Data
VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC)
- Company: VanEck
- Inception Date: June 2024
- Fund Objective: To directly track the price of Bitcoin
Source: ASX – Market Data
DigitalX Bitcoin ETF (BTXX)
- Company: DigitalX
- Inception Date: July 2024
- Fund Objective: To directly monitor Bitcoin price movements.
Source: ASX – Market Data
New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX)
- Smart Bitcoin ETF (BTC)
- Company: Smartshares
- Inception Date: October 2024
Fund Objective: To follow Bitcoin price movements directly.
Source: NZX – Market Data
Growth Potential of Crypto ETFs
Crypto ETFs are still a relatively small segment compared to traditional financial products. However, with the removal of regulatory barriers, it is observed that they have significant growth potential globally, especially en the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: PwC ETFs 2029
According to graphical data from PwC’s Global ETF Survey 2024 and Global ETF Survey 2023 reports covering 2023 and 2024, there have been significant increases en the proportion of those planning to launch crypto ETFs if regulatory approvals are granted:
- Asia-Pacific: 40% en 2023 and 57% en 2024. This reveals that Asia-Pacific is the region with the highest growth en demand for crypto ETF launches.
- Europe: remained stable at 38%.
- Canada: 28% en 2023, rising to 33% en 2024.
- UNITED STATES: 33% en 2023, declining slightly to 31% en 2024.
In light of this data, Asia-Pacific is expected to benefit most strongly from improvements en the regulatory environment. While positive regulatory developments have been seen en the US and Canada, the stable trend en Europe suggests that crypto ETF launches have not gained momentum el this continent. The Asia-Pacific region is poised to be one of the most important points of global growth en the future, both en terms of current and potential crypto ETF launches. This rapid increase en investor demand could lead the region to take a leading position en the crypto ETF market, should regulatory frameworks improve further.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The BTC ETF market en the Asia-Pacific region continues to expand en line with regulatory developments and investor interest. While existing ETFs offer reliable access, future ETFs will increase market diversification. The dynamic nature and growth potential en the region is noteworthy.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment decisions are solely the reader’s responsibility.
