Is bitcoin price stalling at $100,000? ETF experts debate next crypto trades

In some ways, it is a crypto version of a high-interest savings account, but with one key difference being it is not handled by banking institutions but the crypto exchanges and networks, and this has led to issues with regulators in recent history.

When you stake crypto, you contribute to the running and security of decentralized networks like ethereum and become a "validator" on the blockchain.

Big players in the financial markets, such as BlackRock, do believe in opportunity for staking to grow this year. Robinhood's Johann Kerbrat, general manager of the brokerage company's crypto division, recently spoke to CNBC about its ethereum and solana staking push. "When we talk about mass adoption, this is what it looks like," Kerbrat said of staking and other recent additions to its crypto services.

Investing in ETFs, taking advantage of fee waivers

Other investors may be trading in their direct holdings in crypto for ETFs that now offer the same crypto market exposure. "Let's be honest, it's a whole lot easier to transact. It's a lot cheaper as well," said Nadig. 

Buying the cheapest ETF right now is cheaper than direct cash-to-coin transactions, with some ETF providers waiving all management fees to stoke more early adoption of their recent crypto portfolio editions. For example, VanEck's Bitcoin Trust (HODL) has waived all fees until it reaches $2.5 billion in assets, through January 10, 2026.

"Effectively, bitcoin moved from one wallet to another wallet, the wallet now being ETF," Nadig said.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) have seen the most action this year overall, with over $15 billion and $2 billion, respectively, of net inflows to the crypto ETFs, as financial advisor and retail investor adoption grows. The company has been waiving a portion of the management fee on the ethereum ETF for up to $2.5 billion in assets, with the 0.25% expense ratio knocked down to 0.12%.

Meanwhile, Van Eck has also waived fees on its Van Eck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) until it reached $1.5 billion in assets through July 22 of this year.