Lower Fee or Bigger Bitcoin ETF Scale? HODL vs. IBIT

The article compares two spot Bitcoin ETFs: VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). It frames the decision as a trade-off between lower fees and greater scale/liquidity. HODL is cheaper at 0.20% versus IBIT’s 0.25%, which may appeal to long-term holders. However, IBIT dominates on size and trading depth, with $49.5 billion in assets under management versus HODL’s $1.1 billion. Both launched in 2024 and track Bitcoin closely, so the underlying crypto’s volatility remains the main driver of returns. The comparison is neutral overall, but it highlights that IBIT is better suited for larger, liquidity-sensitive trades, while HODL is more attractive for fee-conscious investors.