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Crypto Basics

What Is a Bitcoin ETF? A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds in 2025

Learn what a Bitcoin ETF is, how it works, and why it matters for investors in 2025. Discover the benefits, risks, and how Token Metrics helps you analyze Bitcoin ETFs with AI.
Token Metrics Team
8 min
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The cryptocurrency world continues to evolve rapidly, and one of the most significant milestones in recent years has been the approval and rise of Bitcoin ETFs. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is a Bitcoin ETF and why is it important?” — this guide breaks it down in simple terms.

In this highly informative blog, we’ll explore:

  • What a Bitcoin ETF is
  • Types of Bitcoin ETFs
  • Benefits and risks
  • Why Bitcoin ETFs matter for crypto adoption
  • How to analyze Bitcoin ETFs using Token Metrics tools

📈 What Is a Bitcoin ETF?

A Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a financial product that allows investors to gain exposure to the price movements of Bitcoin without having to own or manage actual Bitcoin.

Just like buying a stock, investors can purchase shares of a Bitcoin ETF through traditional brokerage accounts. These shares represent ownership in a fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin.

In essence, a Bitcoin ETF bridges the gap between traditional finance and crypto investing.

🔄 How Does a Bitcoin ETF Work?

Bitcoin ETFs are created and managed by large financial institutions or asset managers. These funds:

  1. Buy Bitcoin directly (in spot ETFs), or
  2. Invest in Bitcoin futures contracts (in futures ETFs)
  3. Issue ETF shares that track the price performance of Bitcoin

These shares are then listed on stock exchanges like the NYSE, Nasdaq, or CBOE, where they can be bought or sold just like regular stocks.

🔍 Types of Bitcoin ETFs

There are two main types of Bitcoin ETFs:

1. Spot Bitcoin ETFs

  • Hold actual Bitcoin in custody
  • Track the real-time market price of Bitcoin
  • Provide direct exposure to Bitcoin’s price
  • Approved in the U.S. starting in early 2024 (e.g., BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust)

2. Futures-Based Bitcoin ETFs

  • Track Bitcoin futures contracts (derivatives)
  • Do not hold actual Bitcoin
  • Subject to contango and tracking errors
  • Were the first type approved (e.g., ProShares BITO)

In 2025, spot ETFs are considered superior due to their more accurate and direct exposure.

✅ Benefits of Bitcoin ETFs

Bitcoin ETFs offer several key advantages:

1. Accessibility

Investors can buy Bitcoin exposure through traditional brokerage platforms like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood—no need for crypto wallets or private keys.

2. Regulation and Security

ETFs are regulated by institutions like the SEC and are managed by trusted financial firms, offering greater transparency and investor protection.

3. Tax Efficiency

Buying and selling ETFs may provide more favorable tax treatment compared to transacting in physical Bitcoin directly.

4. Institutional Adoption

Bitcoin ETFs enable pension funds, hedge funds, and banks to legally and easily gain exposure to BTC. Inflows from these entities have driven billions into Bitcoin in 2024 and 2025.

⚠️ Risks of Bitcoin ETFs

Despite their benefits, Bitcoin ETFs come with a few risks:

1. Price Tracking Errors

Futures ETFs may deviate from Bitcoin’s spot price due to volatility and contract rollover costs.

2. Management Fees

ETF providers charge an annual fee (0.20%–1.00%), which can reduce long-term returns.

3. Lack of Custody Control

You don’t actually own Bitcoin when you hold an ETF—so you can’t transfer it or use it for DeFi or crypto payments.

4. Market Volatility

Bitcoin remains a highly volatile asset. ETF shares may still experience massive price swings.

🏛️ Why Bitcoin ETFs Matter in 2025

The approval and adoption of Bitcoin ETFs mark a turning point in mainstream crypto acceptance. Here’s why:

  • Over $60 billion has flowed into U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs since January 2024
  • Institutions like BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK Invest now actively manage Bitcoin exposure
  • Bitcoin ETF holdings reduce circulating supply, contributing to BTC’s price surge past $118,000 in mid-2025
  • Countries outside the U.S., including Canada and Hong Kong, are expanding their Bitcoin ETF offerings

🤖 How Token Metrics Helps You Analyze Bitcoin ETFs

While traditional investors focus on ETF tickers, smart crypto investors turn to platforms like Token Metrics to get deeper insights.

🔹 AI-Powered Bitcoin Forecasts

Token Metrics uses machine learning to predict short- and long-term Bitcoin price trends. As of June 28, the AI turned bullish, signaling BTC's breakout past $110,000.

🔹 Exchange Reserve Monitoring

The platform tracks Bitcoin’s exchange reserves, showing a drop from 3.25M to 2.55M BTC—a bullish signal due to reduced sell-side pressure.

🔹 ETF Flow Analysis

Token Metrics integrates on-chain data and fund inflows to measure:

  • How much BTC ETFs are buying
  • Impact on liquidity and price
  • Sentiment shifts among institutional investors

🔹 Alerts and Grades

You can set up custom price alerts for Bitcoin and receive Trader and Investor Grades based on 80+ real-time metrics.

These tools allow you to react faster than ETF investors relying on traditional media or quarterly reports.

📈 Bitcoin ETF Performance So Far

As of July 2025:

  • BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) holds over $18B in BTC
  • Fidelity’s ETF surpassed $12B in AUM
  • ETF buying pressure is one of the main drivers behind Bitcoin’s 2025 bull run

💡 Pro Tips Before Investing in a Bitcoin ETF

  1. Compare fees across ETFs (lower = better for long-term holdings)
  2. Choose spot ETFs over futures ETFs for more accurate performance
  3. Use Token Metrics to track BTC signals and time your entry
  4. Understand your goals—ETFs are great for passive exposure but not for on-chain crypto utility

🧠 Final Thoughts

A Bitcoin ETF is one of the easiest ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin in 2025. Whether you’re a traditional investor looking to diversify or a crypto-native looking for a regulated option, ETFs offer accessibility, safety, and legitimacy.

But don’t stop at just buying shares—pair your ETF exposure with real-time intelligence from Token Metrics.

With institutional momentum accelerating, regulatory clarity improving, and AI tools like Token Metrics giving you an edge, there’s never been a better time to understand and invest in Bitcoin ETFs.

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Recent Posts

Crypto Basics

Solana (SOL) Crypto - What It Is and How It Works?

Token Metrics Team
5 minutes

Solana (SOL) is a high-performance blockchain platform that aims to provide scalability and speed for decentralized applications (dApps) and token transactions. Solana was founded in 2017 by Anatoly Yakovenko and since then, it has attracted a growing community of developers and users.

History of Solana

Solana was first introduced in 2017 by Anatoly Yakovenko, a software engineer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Yakovenko had previously worked on high-performance systems at companies such as Qualcomm and Intel. In 2018, Solana raised $20 million in a private token sale. Since then, the Solana project has grown significantly, with a number of decentralized applications and platforms built on top of the Solana blockchain.

How Does Solana (SOL) Crypto Work?

Solana's unique consensus algorithm, called "Proof of Stake Time" (PoST), enables the network to process over 65,000 transactions per second (TPS) while maintaining a high level of security. This is a significant improvement over other blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, which are limited to around 15 and 7 TPS respectively. 

In contrast to traditional proof of work (PoW) algorithms, where miners compete to solve mathematical problems, Solana's PoST algorithm allows validators to stake their tokens to secure the network. These validators are then chosen randomly to create new blocks and validate transactions. This results in a more energy-efficient and scalable network compared to other blockchain platforms.

Now, let’s see how Solana can benefit you.

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Solana

There are several benefits to using Solana as a blockchain platform for dApps and token transactions. Here are a few of the key advantages:

  • High scalability: Solana can handle large numbers of transactions per second, which is important for applications that need to process a large number of transactions in real-time.
  • Low latency: Solana has low latency, which means that transactions are confirmed quickly. This is necessary for dApps that require real-time updates, such as games and prediction markets.
  • Decentralization: Solana is highly decentralized, which means that no single entity controls the network. This is significant for maintaining the integrity and security of the network.
  • Low fees: Solana has low transaction fees compared to other blockchain platforms, which makes it more accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Energy-efficient: Solana consensus algorithm, PoST, is more energy-efficient than other algorithms like PoW, which is essential for reducing the environmental impact of the network.
  • Disadvantages: There is only one disadvantage of Solana - as it’s a relatively new blockchain platform, which means that there is still a lack of developer tools and resources compared to more established platforms like Ethereum. Additionally, Solana's PoST consensus algorithm is still untested at a large scale and its long term success is uncertain.

Use Cases of Solana

Solana has a wide range of potential use cases, from decentralized finance (DeFi) to gaming and prediction markets.

In the DeFi space, Solana has become an important player, with several projects building on the Solana blockchain. Some of the popular DeFi projects on Solana include Serum, a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on Solana, and Jupiter Aggregator, a swap aggregator and infrastructure for Solana.

Solana's high performance and low latency also make it well-suited for gaming and other high-throughput applications. The Solana blockchain has already been used to launch a number of games, including STEPN, a run-to-earn game.

Additionally, many projects are being built on Solana for other industries such as real estate, identity verification, supply chain management, logistics, and many more.

Is Solana (SOL) Crypto a Good Investment?

Like any investment, the value of Solana (SOL) can be highly volatile and is subject to market conditions. Some experts have highlighted Solana's high scalability, low fees and energy efficiency as factors that could drive its crypto future growth. However, it's important to do your own research and consider your own risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.

How to Buy Solana Crypto?

Solana can be purchased on a variety of cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance, Serum, and Bitmax. To purchase Solana, you will first need to set up a digital wallet that supports Solana, such as a Ledger hardware wallet. Once you have a wallet, you can deposit funds onto the exchange and then use those funds to purchase Solana.

The Future of Solana(SOL)

The future of Solana (SOL) is highly dependent on the continued development and adoption of the Solana platform. As more developers and users become attracted to the platform's high scalability and low fees, Solana's value could continue to grow. Additionally, Solana's PoST consensus algorithm is still untested at a large scale, and its long term success is uncertain.

In conclusion Solana has a lot of potential and it has been on a steady rise but still a lot of uncertainty in the long term. It's important to do your own research and consider your own risk tolerance before making any investment.

Conclusion

Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform that is well-suited for a wide range of decentralized applications. Its unique consensus algorithm, "Proof of Stake Time" (PoST), enables the network to process large numbers of transactions per second, with low latency and low fees. The Solana network is also highly decentralized, providing security and integrity for the network. With its growing community of developers and users, Solana is well-positioned to become a major player in the blockchain space

Crypto Basics

What is Polygon (MATIC) - How it Works, Benefits and Use Cases

Token Metrics Team
7 minutes

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Polygon (formerly known as Matic Network) is a protocol for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks. It is designed to provide faster and cheaper transactions on the Ethereum network by using side chains and an adapted version of the Plasma framework.

It also offers a wide range of:

  • Smart contract solutions 
  • Secure identity solutions, and 
  • Wallet solutions. 

History of Polygon (MATIC) Crypto

The history of Polygon Matic dates back to 2017 when the project was founded by Jaynti Kanani and Sandeep Nailwal. In 2021, the project took up a rebranding and went from Matic Network to Polygon. This was done in the light of reflecting a broader focus on providing infrastructure for a wide range of blockchain use cases.   

With Polygon MATIC, users can easily create and manage their own decentralized applications, securely store and transfer assets, and even trade digital assets. With its powerful features and benefits, Polygon MATIC can be a great tool for you to leverage the power of the blockchain. Find out how it can benefit you in the best ways possible below.

Benefits of Polygon

Polygon MATIC has several benefits that make it a great blockchain solution. Here are a few of its top benefits that you need to be aware of: 

  • Scalability - Polygon MATIC has high scalability and can support millions of users and transactions. It can also scale at a very low cost. This means that it can handle high transaction volumes and can support a large user base.
  • Security - Polygon MATIC is a secure platform with state-of-the-art security features. You can easily secure your data and transactions on the platform through the use of the platform’s security features. 
  • Wide range of services and tools - Polygon MATIC offers a wide range of services and tools that can benefit different types of users. Whether you are a developer, an individual, or a business, Polygon MATIC can help you with your decentralized applications and smart contracts.
  • Cost-effective and scalable solutions - With Polygon MATIC, you can easily and cost-effectively deploy various decentralized applications. It also offers scalable solutions that can grow and evolve with your business.

Polygon Use Cases

  • E-commerce and Online Retail - The Polygon MATIC blockchain can help improve e-commerce and online retail. This is because distributed ledger technology can significantly reduce the cost of transactions and make it easier for businesses to manage their supply chain. 
  • Supply chain management - The Polygon MATIC blockchain can also help in supply chain management. It can help track shipments and provide transparency and security across the supply chain.
  • Gaming - The Polygon MATIC blockchain can help improve gaming through tokenization. It can also help gamers exchange their digital assets.
  • Healthcare - The Polygon MATIC blockchain can help in healthcare by enabling secure and immutable record storage. It can also help in improving the efficiency of health-related apps and services.
  • ICO and Crowdfunding - The Polygon MATIC blockchain can help improve the ICO and crowdfunding experience. It can also help in improving the tokenization process and provide transparency.

Polygon Security Features

The Polygon MATIC blockchain is a secure and reliable blockchain solution. It uses a distributed ledger technology that is decentralized and peer-to-peer. This means that there is no single point of failure and it is not controlled by a single entity. This makes it secure and reliable. When it comes to security, the Polygon MATIC blockchain has many features. 

Some of these features are discussed below

  • Advanced consensus algorithms - The Polygon MATIC blockchain uses advanced consensus algorithms to verify transactions. This makes it secure and reliable. These algorithms include PBFT (Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance), VRF (Variable Resonance), and EOS consensus. 
  • Strong authentication method - The Polygon MATIC blockchain has a strong authentication method that makes it difficult to hack or spoof. Even if someone is able to hack into the network, they can only hack a single node and not the entire network. 
  • Encrypted communication - The communication between the nodes on the Polygon MATIC blockchain is encrypted. This makes it difficult to hack or spoof.

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Polygon (MATIC) Cost

The cost of using Polygon MATIC will depend on your usage. The more you use the platform, the higher the cost will be. You can also choose to outsource your needs and use Polygon MATIC as a service. 

Here are a few things you should know about the Polygon MATIC cost: 

  • The cost of using the Polygon MATIC blockchain platform for deploying DApps is $1499.
  • The cost of deploying a smart contract is $599. 
  • The cost of deploying wallets is $499. 
  • The cost of deploying an identity and security solution is $1199. 
  • The cost of deploying a trading platform is $1499.

Note: These prices may have changed due to change in MATIC's price.

These are the costs of using Polygon MATIC as a service. For more details on the cost, visit their website.

Polygon Crypto Alternatives

  • Ethereum - Ethereum is a popular blockchain platform used for developing decentralized applications and smart contracts. It is also used for ICOs and crowdfunding. 
  • Hyperledger - Hyperledger is another popular blockchain platform used for developing decentralized applications and smart contracts.
  • EOS - EOS is also a blockchain platform used for developing decentralized applications and smart contracts. 
  • Cardano - Cardano is a scalable blockchain platform that can support large volumes of transactions.

Is Polygon (MATIC) a Good Investment?

As for whether Polygon is a good investment, it's important to remember that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and that investing in any cryptocurrency carries a high level of risk. It's important to do your own research and carefully consider your investment options before making any decisions.

How to Buy Polygon (MATIC) Crypto?

If you're interested in buying MATIC, you can do so on a number of cryptocurrency exchanges that offer it. Some popular options include Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Be sure to carefully compare the fees and features of different exchanges before choosing one to use. Below are the 5 simple steps that you can follow to get your own Polygon:

  1. Choose a Crypto Exchange Broker 
  2. Create your account (Crypto Wallet)
  3. Link your Bank Account to your wallet 
  4. Pick the Cryptocurrency you want to invest in
  5. Choose your storage method

Great, but, do we know where Polygon is headed in the future?  

Future of Polygon (MATIC)

It's difficult to predict the future of Polygon with certainty, but the project has gained significant traction in the cryptocurrency community and has the potential to continue growing and gaining adoption in the future. However, as with any investment, it's important to be aware of the risks and to carefully consider your options before making any decisions.

The Bottom Line

Token Metrics is happy to provide you with AI-driven market updates and information regarding the crypto world but it is you who needs to be the decision maker when it comes to your crypto investments. 

Polygon (formerly Matic Network) offers innovative technology that could potentially democratize blockchain through the creation of customized, interoperable networks. While it's difficult to predict the future performance of MATIC, the project has a strong team and partnerships with well-known companies.

However, as with any cryptocurrency investment, there is a high level of risk and it's important to carefully consider all options before making any decisions. Blockchain technology is still in its early stages and it may be more profitable to invest in the technology itself rather than just the hype. It's also important to exercise caution when building a cryptocurrency portfolio.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not constitute  investment/trading/financial advice and you should not treat any of the website’s content as such. Token Metrics does not recommend that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you. Do conduct your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.  We only offer comprehensive information which may change according to time. 

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Research

10 Best Indicators for Crypto Trading and Analysis in 2024

Token Metrics Team
6 minutes

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Your search for best crypto indicators to trade ends here. But before we start, let's briefly cover the overview of indicators.

Indicators are mathematical calculations based on the price and/or volume of an asset. They can be used to identify trends, measure volatility, and provide signals for trades.

With the help of indicators, traders can:

  • Identify potential entry and exit points
  • Track price movements and 
  • Create custom alerts to act fast

Trading View is one of the most popular platforms that offers a range of charting and analysis tools, or indicators, to help traders gain an edge in the cryptocurrency market.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, these crypto indicators can help you maximize your profits and minimize your risks.

By taking the time, one can understand how these crypto indicators work, and how you can set up your trading strategies to maximize profits accordingly.

That said, there are hundreds of pre-built indicators available, but sometimes you may want to create your own custom indicator to fit your specific crypto trading strategy.

Trading View Strategies

For Beginners - New crypto traders can benefit from the built-in trading strategies, which are readily available and are designed to help them identify trading opportunities. 

For Experts - Experienced crypto traders can use Trading View to create their own trading strategies and take advantage of market trends on a deeper level.

Here at Token Metrics, we worked hard to create a Trading View Indicator that powers your trading decisions by removing emotions, saving time, and improving risk-adjusted returns.

Top 10 Crypto Trading Indicators for 2024

If you are someone looking for the best crypto trading indicators to use this year, we did the research for you.

Here are top crypto indicators you can use today.

1. Moving Averages

A moving average is a simple yet effective indicator that helps smooth out price action by filtering out noise and highlighting the overall trend. There are various types of moving averages, including simple, exponential, and weighted, each with its own characteristics and uses.

This indicator uses the average price of the stock over a specified number of periods. It is an extremely popular technical analysis tool used to identify trend direction and forecast future price movements.

2. Relative Strength Index (RSI)

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator that uses the speed and direction of price movements to determine the health of an asset.

3. Bollinger Bands

Bollinger Bands are one of the most trusted indicators used by traders. It is a momentum indicator that uses standard deviation to determine the price trend. The indicator includes two lines: a moving average and a standard deviation band. The moving average line acts as a trend indicator. The standard deviation band acts as a volatility indicator.

4. On-Balance-Volume (OBV)

The OBV is a volume-based indicator that reflects the relationship between price and volume. It can be used to identify buying and selling pressure, as well as potential trend changes. 

5. Ichimoku Cloud

The Ichimoku Cloud, also known as the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo, is a comprehensive technical analysis tool that includes several indicators, such as the kumo (cloud), senkou span (leading span), and kijun sen (baseline). It helps identify trend direction, strength, and potential areas of support and resistance in the market. 

6. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD)

The MACD is a trend-following momentum indicator that uses the difference between two moving averages to identify buying and selling opportunities. It is often used in conjunction with the MACD histogram, which helps visualize the relationship between the MACD line and the signal line.

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7. Fibonacci Retracement

Based on the work of Leonardo Fibonacci, the Fibonacci retracement tool is used to identify potential support and resistance levels by plotting horizontal lines at key Fibonacci levels. It is often used in conjunction with trend lines and other technical indicators to confirm trade signals.

8. Stochastic Oscillator

The stochastic oscillator is a momentum indicator that uses the closing price of an asset to identify overbought and oversold conditions. It is often used in conjunction with the moving average to filter out the noise and improve the accuracy of the signal.

9. Aroon Indicator

The Aroon indicator is a trend-following tool that uses the time between the highest high and the lowest low to identify the trend direction and strength. It is often used in conjunction with other technical indicators to confirm trade signals.

10. On-Chain Metrics

On-chain metrics are data points that provide insights into the underlying health and activity of a cryptocurrency or token. Examples of on-chain metrics include network value to transaction ratio (NVT), miners' revenue, daily active addresses and more.

Conclusion:

There are many indicators to help you make more money when trading cryptocurrencies. But to be certain of the price movement of an asset, is is advised to use multiple indicators to find if they're all hinting at the same outcome.

This is why we worked hard to create our own Token Metrics Trading View Indicator that takes into account multiple factors to minimze risks and maximize potential returns.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other sort of advice and you should not treat any of the website's content as such.

Token Metrics does not recommend that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you. Do conduct your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Click here to buy Cryptocurrencies from Gate.io

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