Yes. In 2026, US investors can get Bitcoin exposure through traditional brokerage accounts such as Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, E*Trade, Interactive Brokers, and in some cases Vanguard, depending on platform restrictions. The most common route is buying a spot Bitcoin ETF, such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC), or Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).

This is one of the biggest changes in crypto investing since the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024. Traditional brokerages now make it possible to gain regulated Bitcoin exposure inside standard brokerage accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and some self-directed 401(k) windows without using a crypto exchange, managing a wallet, or storing seed phrases.

The main difference is ownership. Buying a Bitcoin ETF gives you price exposure to Bitcoin, but you do not directly own BTC and cannot withdraw it to a personal Bitcoin wallet. Fidelity also offers direct Bitcoin trading through Fidelity Crypto as a separate account product, while Schwab currently supports Bitcoin ETFs but not direct Bitcoin purchases.

What Are Spot Bitcoin ETFs?

A spot Bitcoin ETF is an exchange-traded fund that holds actual Bitcoin and issues shares that trade on a stock exchange. Each share represents fractional exposure to the Bitcoin held by the fund. When you buy IBIT, FBTC, BITB, or another spot Bitcoin ETF, you are buying regulated Bitcoin exposure through a traditional investment product.

Major spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026 include:

  1. IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust): BlackRock’s flagship spot Bitcoin ETF and one of the largest by assets under management, with a 0.25% expense ratio.
  2. FBTC (Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund): Fidelity’s spot Bitcoin ETF, with a 0.25% expense ratio and Bitcoin custody handled by Fidelity Digital Assets.
  3. BITB (Bitwise Bitcoin ETF): Bitwise’s spot Bitcoin ETF, often cited for its lower expense ratio compared with some larger funds.
  4. ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF): A spot Bitcoin ETF from ARK Invest and 21Shares, with a 0.21% expense ratio.
  5. BTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust): A lower-cost Grayscale product created as a spin-off from GBTC.
  6. GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust): The original Grayscale Bitcoin trust, now structured as an ETF, but with a higher 1.5% expense ratio.
  7. HODL (VanEck Bitcoin ETF): VanEck’s spot Bitcoin ETF, with a 0.20% expense ratio and periodic fee waiver promotions.

Read More: What Are the Top Spot Bitcoin ETFs to Watch in 2026?

Which Major Brokerages Support Bitcoin Investing?

Most major US brokerages now support Bitcoin exposure through spot Bitcoin ETFs, though direct Bitcoin trading availability varies by platform.

  1. Fidelity: Fidelity offers two main ways to invest in Bitcoin. Investors can buy FBTC through standard brokerage accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and some self-directed retirement accounts. Fidelity also offers Fidelity Crypto, a separate account product for direct Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. FBTC and Fidelity Crypto are different products and are accessed through different account types.
  2. Charles Schwab: Schwab supports spot Bitcoin ETFs, including funds such as IBIT, FBTC, and others, through its standard brokerage platform. ETF orders work like regular stock or ETF trades. Schwab does not currently offer direct Bitcoin purchases.
  3. Robinhood: Robinhood offers both spot Bitcoin ETFs and direct Bitcoin trading through Robinhood Crypto. Direct crypto purchases are commission-free, and external crypto withdrawals are supported.
  4. E*Trade and Interactive Brokers: Major brokerages such as E*Trade and Interactive Brokers generally support spot Bitcoin ETFs. Direct crypto features vary by platform, account type, and region.
  5. Vanguard: Vanguard has historically been more restrictive toward spot Bitcoin ETFs. Support may be limited or unavailable depending on the account and current platform policy, so investors should check Vanguard directly before planning to buy.

What Are the Advantages of Buying Bitcoin Through a Brokerage?

Buying Bitcoin exposure through a brokerage is mainly useful for investors who want regulated access, tax reporting convenience, and portfolio integration without managing crypto custody.

  1. Tax-advantaged accounts: Spot Bitcoin ETFs can often be held in traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and some self-directed 401(k) windows, which is difficult or unavailable with direct crypto holdings.
  2. Regulated structure: Bitcoin ETFs operate under securities market rules, with disclosure, auditing, and fund oversight requirements.
  3. No wallet management: Investors do not need to manage private keys, seed phrases, hardware wallets, or blockchain transfers.
  4. Integrated tax reporting: ETF gains, losses, and statements are reported through the same brokerage account as stocks and other funds.
  5. Existing brokerage access: Investors can buy Bitcoin ETFs through accounts they already use, without opening a crypto exchange account.
  6. Traditional trading workflow: Bitcoin ETFs trade like stocks and ETFs during market hours, which may be easier for investors used to brokerage platforms.

What Are the Trade-Offs?

Bitcoin ETFs are convenient, but they do not offer the same ownership features as direct Bitcoin.

  1. Expense ratios: Most spot Bitcoin ETFs charge an annual management fee, often around 0.15% to 0.25%, while GBTC has a higher expense ratio. Direct Bitcoin does not have an annual fund fee.
  2. Market-hour trading only: Bitcoin trades 24/7, but ETFs trade only during regular market hours. Weekend or overnight Bitcoin price moves may appear as ETF price gaps when the market opens.
  3. No self-custody: ETF investors do not hold private keys. The fund’s custodian holds the underlying Bitcoin.
  4. No transfers or spending: ETF shares cannot be sent to a Bitcoin wallet, used for payments, moved on-chain, or used with DeFi or Lightning.
  5. Custodian and fund risk: Spot Bitcoin ETFs are regulated products, but they still depend on fund managers, custodians, market makers, and brokerage infrastructure.

How Do I Buy a Bitcoin ETF Through My Brokerage?

Buying a Bitcoin ETF through a brokerage is similar to buying a stock or any other ETF.

  1. Open or log in to your brokerage account: Use a standard brokerage account, IRA, Roth IRA, or another supported account type.
  2. Search for the ETF ticker: Common tickers include IBIT, FBTC, BITB, ARKB, BTC, GBTC, and HODL.
  3. Choose an order type: Investors can use market orders, limit orders, or recurring purchases if supported by the brokerage.
  4. Place the trade: Most major brokerages charge $0 commission for ETF trades, though bid-ask spreads may still apply.
  5. Hold the ETF shares: The shares remain in your brokerage, retirement account, or portfolio alongside other investments.

For long-term investors, recurring purchases or dollar-cost averaging can be a practical way to build Bitcoin exposure over time without trying to time short-term price moves.

ETF vs. Direct Bitcoin: Which Should You Choose?

Both Bitcoin ETFs and direct Bitcoin can make sense, depending on the investor’s goals.

  1. Choose a Bitcoin ETF if: You want Bitcoin exposure inside an IRA, Roth IRA, or brokerage account; you prefer regulated investment products; you do not want to manage wallets or private keys; or you want Bitcoin exposure inside a traditional portfolio.
  2. Choose direct Bitcoin if: You want to own actual BTC, withdraw it to a personal wallet, use self-custody, transfer Bitcoin on-chain, use Lightning, or avoid ongoing ETF expense ratios.
  3. Use both if: You want tax-advantaged ETF exposure in retirement accounts while also holding direct Bitcoin for self-custody and full on-chain ownership.

Summary

Traditional brokerages such as Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, E*Trade, and Interactive Brokers now provide regulated Bitcoin exposure through spot Bitcoin ETFs like IBIT, FBTC, BITB, ARKB, BTC, GBTC, and HODL. This makes Bitcoin easier to access inside standard brokerage accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and some self-directed 401(k) windows without using a crypto exchange or managing self-custody.

The trade-off is that ETF investors get Bitcoin price exposure, not direct Bitcoin ownership. ETFs offer convenience, tax reporting simplicity, and retirement account access, but they also come with expense ratios, market-hour trading limits, and no ability to withdraw BTC to a wallet.

Direct Bitcoin remains the better choice for users who want self-custody, on-chain transfers, spending, or full control over private keys. Many investors use both approaches: Bitcoin ETFs for brokerage and retirement accounts, and direct BTC for long-term self-custody.

Related Concepts

  1. What Is a Seed Phrase?
  2. What Is a Private Key?
  3. What Is a Bitcoin ETF?
  4. What Is a Self-Custody Wallet?

Further Reading

  1. Top 10 Crypto Exchanges to Buy Bitcoin for Beginners in 2026
  2. What Are the Top Spot Bitcoin ETFs to Watch in 2026?
  3. Top Bitcoin Wallets: Best Ways to Store BTC in 2026
  4. How to Set Up a Bitcoin (BTC) Wallet?
  5. How to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto with Credit and Debit Card on BingX