Bitcoin ETFs: Are You Really Holding Bitcoin?
Helmut Schindlwick
Innovative Experienced Transformation Manager, Enthusiastic Lifelong Learner and Author
BlackRock’s report, Bitcoin: A Unique Diversifier (Blackrock.com ), discusses why Bitcoin may have a special role in a diversified portfolio. As BlackRock notes, Bitcoin’s unique characteristics make it difficult for investors to categorize. While Bitcoin is known for its high volatility and is often seen as a "risky" asset, BlackRock suggests that it faces different risk drivers than traditional assets.
Unlike conventional assets, Bitcoin is a decentralized, non-sovereign global asset, not controlled by any government. This decentralization makes Bitcoin behave differently from traditional "risk-on" or "risk-off" assets. According to BlackRock, concerns around global monetary, geopolitical stability, and U.S. fiscal sustainability are key factors that could drive Bitcoin adoption. As traditional assets falter in times of instability, Bitcoin may serve as a hedge, protecting investors against monetary and geopolitical uncertainty.
The Rise of Bitcoin ETFs
The introduction of Bitcoin ETFs has made it easier for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through the stock market. Institutions like BlackRock offer these ETFs, allowing investors to invest without directly buying Bitcoin. But this raises a critical question: Are you truly holding Bitcoin, or something else?
Understanding Bitcoin ETFs
A Bitcoin ETF allows you to invest in Bitcoin without owning it directly. BlackRock’s ETF seeks to track Bitcoin’s price by holding Bitcoin in a custodian’s vault. However, owning ETF shares is different from owning Bitcoin directly. Here’s why:
Bitcoin ETFs vs. Self-Custody
When you buy a Bitcoin ETF, you don’t own the private keys, and true ownership lies with the custodian. This compromises Bitcoin's core principle: decentralized ownership, free from third-party control. By trusting institutions to hold your Bitcoin, you are reintroducing the need for trust - something Bitcoin was designed to eliminate- don't trust verify!
Lack of Proof of Reserves: A Hidden Risk
One major concern with Bitcoin ETFs is the lack of proof of reserves. With direct Bitcoin ownership, you can verify your holdings at any time. BlackRock’s filings, however, do not disclose whether they offer proof of reserve or allow investors to verify the actual Bitcoin holdings backing the ETF. This raises key questions:
Without clear transparency, you’re putting trust in an opaque system that offers little assurance of what’s backing your investment.
领英推荐
Rehypothecation: A Risk You Can’t Ignore
Another potential risk with Bitcoin ETFs is rehypothecation—the practice of lending out assets to generate additional returns. If Bitcoin held in the ETF is rehypothecated, your Bitcoin could be lent out, and you might not truly “own” it. This risk undermines Bitcoin’s core value of direct ownership and control.
A Lesson from History: Executive Order 6102
In 1933, the U.S. government issued Executive Order 6102, confiscating privately held gold to stabilize the economy. Citizens had no choice but to surrender their gold for paper currency, losing both wealth and control. This historical event is a reminder of the vulnerability of traditional assets to government intervention.
Bitcoin offers a solution to this risk. As a decentralized asset, Bitcoin is not subject to government control. If you hold the private keys to your Bitcoin, no one can seize it. This sovereignty is what makes Bitcoin a true store of value in today’s world.
In 1933, citizens could not easily take their gold with them (assuming they stored it at home) to escape confiscation, as gold was physical and hard to transport secretly. With Bitcoin, that problem vanishes. Bitcoin exists as digital information, which can be stored in a variety of forms—from a hardware wallet to something as simple as a “border wallet.” Here my book link: https://amzn.to/4f2terX
A border wallet is an elegant and powerful solution for taking your wealth with you wherever you go, even through hostile borders. It involves storing the private keys to your Bitcoin in a memorized seed phrase, meaning you can cross borders with no physical asset in hand, and yet still access your Bitcoin once you’re in a safe location. This level of portability and privacy was unimaginable in the days of gold confiscation, making Bitcoin a true global asset, beyond the reach of authoritarian control.
The Power of Private Keys
The lesson is clear: owning your private keys gives you full control over your Bitcoin. ETFs may offer convenience, but they compromise the core benefits of Bitcoin ownership. Without private keys, you are exposed to the same risks as traditional financial assets - trusting intermediaries to act in your best interest.
Conclusion: The Importance of Self-Custody
Bitcoin ETFs provide easy access to the asset but fall short of delivering the key benefits of Bitcoin - decentralization, censorship resistance, and ownership without intermediaries. If you’re investing in Bitcoin for its core values, consider self-custody. Holding your private keys gives you control, transparency, and protection from the risks of third-party involvement. In a world where governments have intervened in financial systems before, owning your private keys ensures that your Bitcoin remains truly yours.
Helmut Schindlwick is an experienced enterprise architect, enthusiastic consultant, and author who believes in ongoing change. Helmut is devoted to professional excellence and innovation and believes in lifelong learning. This article is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial or investment advice and should not be construed or relied on as such. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any organisation's official policy or position.