Top Bitcoin ETFs Under $100: Your Guide to Smart Investing

Investors can now access spot Bitcoin ETFs, with 11 options on the market since early 2024. However, only a select few are suitable for a $100 investment. The article identifies three affordable options, comparing their management fees and investment strategies, while highlighting the significant returns potential of Bitcoin over time. The Motley Fool also notes better alternative stock investments compared to Bitcoin ETFs.

Investors looking to get into Bitcoin via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have had options since early 2024. Currently, there are 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs available, but not all are created equal. If you’re thinking of starting small with just $100, you’ll need to be picky. A few funds might not be practical due to their trading volumes or high costs.

Some ETFs are lightly traded, making it tougher to buy them at a good price. There’s always the risk that sponsors might drop the funds, especially if they aren’t popular. On top of that, many ETFs are priced over $100. While some brokerages allow for fractional shares, not all do, so if your budget is strictly $100, these higher-priced funds might not be viable options.

The majority of these ETFs are index-style funds and sport low expense ratios. But a handful charge significantly higher management fees, which can be detrimental for those looking to invest long-term. Hence, after filtering through the options, I’ve identified three suitable spot Bitcoin ETFs that you can invest in for under $100 as of May 19, 2025.

When comparing investment strategies, these three funds have shown nearly identical returns over the past year—this is expected since they aim to mimic the price movements of Bitcoin itself. They, however, have different methods for tracking the crypto’s market price. The iShares Bitcoin Trust and Bitwise Bitcoin ETF are both index funds, following the same price-tracking index. Meanwhile, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund calculates its prices by monitoring six major cryptocurrency exchanges.

Despite Fidelity’s more thorough approach, its management fees are surprisingly on par with iShares at 0.25%. This might seem peculiar, considering that Fidelity employs a more rigorous tracking method. The lowest fees can be found with Bitwise, boasting a 0.20% rate, while also supporting Bitcoin’s developer community by donating 10% of its profits.

So how does one choose between these ETFs? For newcomers, a $100 investment might seem small, particularly if you’re optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term growth. Directly buying Bitcoin is also an option, but it requires an account with a crypto trading platform. For those hesitant, any of the three ETFs can serve as reasonable entry points into Bitcoin investment.

The iShares Bitcoin ETF is widely recognised and well-established, which lends an extra sense of security. Fidelity is also a reputable name; it’s known for its accountability and thoroughness in tracking Bitcoin prices. On the flip side, Bitwise boasts a strong crypto background and supports developers in the Bitcoin ecosystem, making it appealing to socially conscious investors.

Ultimately, any one of these ETFs could be a suitable way to start venturing into Bitcoin. However, be ready for the inevitable price fluctuations and volatility that accompany crypto investments, especially as we move through 2025.

Before you pull the trigger on iShares Bitcoin Trust, think about this: the Motley Fool Stock Advisor team has highlighted their top ten stocks to invest in, and surprisingly, iShares isn’t on that list. Just to give you perspective, stocks like Netflix and Nvidia, when featured by the same team in the past, saw staggering returns; investing a mere $1,000 back then would have yielded incredible growth today. And let’s not forget, Stock Advisor has an impressive average return rate of 975%—far outpacing the S&P 500. This might be a moment to do some more homework before diving into Bitcoin ETFs.

Anders Bylund holds positions in Bitcoin, Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Trust, and iShares Bitcoin Trust. The Motley Fool has a stake in Bitcoin, with a full disclosure policy available for deeper insight.