What is a spot Ethereum ETF?
A spot Ethereum ETF is an exchange-traded fund that invests directly in Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization after Bitcoin. On July 23, 2024, the SEC allowed the first spot Ethereum ETFs to start trading — this followed approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.
Ethereum has many features that distinguish it from Bitcoin. Its blockchain doesn’t just host Ether coins; it’s also home to decentralized apps and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that run on the Ethereum protocol. Ethereum also now uses a proof-of-stake system to create new coins — a more energy-efficient system than the proof-of-work process behind Bitcoin mining. (Ethereum also used a proof-of-work system until it switched to proof-of-stake in 2022.)
There were already Ethereum strategy ETFs on the market before the approval of spot ETFs, which indirectly track the price of Ether using futures contracts. However, these may not track the cryptocurrency’s price quite as accurately as a spot Ethereum ETF, and they may charge higher fees. The spot Ethereum ETFs approved in July 2024 are the first of their kind.
12 Spot Ethereum ETFs
To date, 12 different spot Ethereum ETFs have started trading since approval. All ETFs are listed below along with their ticker symbols and fees.
Fund name and symbol | Net Expense Ratio |
|---|---|
Morgan Stanley Ethereum Trust (MSSE) | 0.14% |
Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) | 0.15% |
Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) | 0.19% |
Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW) | 0.20% |
VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) | 0.20% |
21Shares Ethereum Staking ETF (TETH) | 0.21% (Waived until Oct. 8, 2026) |
iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) | 0.25% |
Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH) | 0.25% |
Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF (QETH) | 0.25% |
iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB) | 0.25% (Waived until March 12, 2027, or until the fund exceeds $2.5 billion in assets) |
REX-Osprey ETH + Staking ETF (ESK) | 0.75% |
Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF (ETHE) | 2.50% |
Source: SEC EDGAR database and fund websites. Data is current as of September 15, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only. | |
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18 Ethereum strategy ETFs
We define an Ethereum strategy ETF as any ETF that invests at least 50% of its assets in Ether derivatives, or that rotates funds between Ether (or its derivatives) and a safe-haven investment like Treasury securities. The funds that meet this definition are listed below from lowest to highest fee. Leveraged ETFs are marked with an * asterisk, while inverse ETFs are marked with a ** double asterisk.
Fund name & symbol | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Grayscale Ethereum High Income ETF (ETCO) | 0.65% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
Amplify Ethereum Max Income Covered Call ETF (EHY) | 0.75% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
Global X Ethereum Covered Call ETF (EHCC) | 0.75% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
T-REX 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF (ETU)* | 0.95% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting 2x the daily returns of Ethereum. |
Roundhill Ether Covered Call Strategy ETF (YETH) | 0.96% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
Bitwise Ethereum Option Income Strategy ETF (IETH) | 0.96% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
NEOS Ethereum High Income ETF (NEHI) | 0.98% | Invested in Ethereum ETFs. Generates income by writing call options on Ethereum ETFs. |
ProShares UltraShort Ether ETF (ETHD)** | 0.99% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting 2x the inverse of the daily returns of Ethereum. |
ProShares Ultra Ether ETF (ETHT)* | 1.02% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting 2x the daily returns of Ethereum. |
ProShares Short Ether ETF (SETH)** | 1.02% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting the inverse of the daily returns of Ethereum. |
ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) | 1.03% | Invested in Ethereum futures. |
ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Equal Weight ETF (BETE) | 1.03% | Invested in Bitcoin and Ether futures, equally weighted. |
ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) | 1.04% | Invested in Bitcoin and Ether futures, market-cap weighted, with Bitcoin the larger sleeve. |
Direxion Daily Ether Bull 2X ETF (EVMU)* | 1.05% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting 2x the daily returns of Ethereum. |
GraniteShares YieldBOOST Ether ETF (XEY)* | 1.07% | Invested in options on a leveraged Ethereum ETF. Generates income by writing put options. |
Bitwise Trendwise Ethereum and Treasuries Rotation Strategy ETF (AETH) | 1.08% | Investment rotates between Ethereum futures and U.S. Treasuries. |
CoinShares Bitcoin and Ether ETF (BTF) | 1.27% | Invested in Bitcoin and Ether futures, approximately equally weighted. |
2x Ether ETF (ETHU)* | 2.97% | Invested in various Ethereum derivatives, targeting 2x the daily returns of Ethereum. |
Source: SEC EDGAR database and fund websites. Data is current as of September 15, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only. | ||
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Ethereum ETFs vs. Ethereum itself
Spot Ethereum ETFs may offer investors who cannot buy Ethereum directly (such as retirement account investors) a cheaper and more reliable way to invest in Ethereum than the pre-existing slate of Ethereum strategy ETFs.
But there are some advantages to buying Ethereum directly. While staking rewards (a sort of interest payment or dividend for Ether holders) have become more common among spot Ethereum ETFs, you'll dodge paying an expense ratio and get full control over staking by buying Ethereum outright.
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The editor owned Ether at the time of publication.
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