It’s now possible thanks to exchange-traded financial products that replicate its performance, accessible through a simple brokerage account. These instruments—such as ETFs (exchange-traded funds) or ETNs (exchange-traded notes)—allow investors to gain exposure to bitcoin’s price movements without managing a digital wallet themselves. They provide a regulated and secure alternative, tailored for those who want to benefit from this asset class without dealing with technical complexities. This approach is attracting more and more traditional savers and institutional players, who see these products as a bridge between traditional finance and the crypto world.

Key Takeaways

BlackRock opens the way in Europe:
Launch of the iShares Bitcoin ETP on Euronext Paris, allowing investors to easily access bitcoin via a listed product, without directly holding the asset.
ETFs banned in Europe, but alternatives exist:
Crypto ETFs remain prohibited under European regulations, but investors can turn to similar products such as ETNs or ETPs, which track bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
Betting on bitcoin-related stocks:
Another strategy is to invest in publicly listed companies with significant exposure to the crypto ecosystem (exchanges, mining firms, companies holding bitcoin in their treasury).

BlackRock leads the way in Europe

On March 25, BlackRock launched its iShares Bitcoin ETP in Europe, listed on Euronext Paris. This product closely follows the evolution of bitcoin’s price and allows investors to access the asset without holding it directly.
This launch follows the success seen in early 2024 in the United States, where BlackRock and Fidelity introduced bitcoin ETFs.
The enthusiasm is easy to explain: these instruments provide a simple, regulated way to gain exposure to bitcoin’s dynamics, while diversifying a portfolio without going through direct crypto purchases.

ETFs banned in Europe, but alternatives exist

European regulations still prohibit crypto ETFs, as crypto-assets are not considered securities. However, investors have alternatives:

• ETNs (exchange-traded notes): debt securities indexed to the performance of an underlying asset, such as bitcoin or a basket of cryptocurrencies.
• ETPs (exchange-traded products): a broader category that includes ETNs and similar listed products, tradable via brokerage accounts.
  Examples available in Europe:
• iShares Bitcoin ETP (BlackRock, ISIN XS2940466316)
• VanEck Vectors Bitcoin ETN (ISIN DE000A28M8D0)
• 21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP (ISIN CH0445689208), tracking the five main cryptocurrencies.

Betting on bitcoin-related stocks

For diversification, some investors choose to buy shares of listed companies whose performance is directly tied to the crypto ecosystem:

• Coinbase (Nasdaq): exchange platform generating revenues from trading fees and blockchain services.
• Mining companies such as Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms (US), or Hut 8 Mining (Canada), whose activity relies on securing the Bitcoin network.
• MicroStrategy (Nasdaq): holding more than 461,000 bitcoins on its balance sheet—around 2% of total supply. This strategy was driven by chairman Michael Saylor, a prominent bitcoin advocate.
• The Blockchain Group (Euronext Paris): active in blockchain and AI, the company raised €82.7M in 2025 to acquire 847 bitcoins, with the ambition of holding 1% of global supply.