IBIT ETF guide. Cost, price and bitcoin held in one place.
IBIT holds bitcoin directly and aims to track the price of bitcoin, less its fee. See what it costs to hold each year, what it holds and how it has returned.
One ticker.
What IBIT is, in plain words.
IBIT holds bitcoin directly and aims to track the price of bitcoin, less its fee. The fund is managed by iShares, trades on Nasdaq in U.S. dollars and launched on Jan 5, 2024. On Nov 9, 2026 it held $59.50B in net assets and its expense ratio was 0.25%. IBIT is a spot bitcoin fund that holds bitcoin directly.
Investors search for IBIT ETF because they want a clear answer to four practical questions. What does it cost to hold each year, what is actually inside, and how does it fit in a Roth IRA, a traditional IRA or 401(k), or a taxable account. This guide answers each one with dated figures from the issuer, and marks anything the issuer page does not publish as Not captured.
Key takeaways
- What it is. IBIT holds bitcoin directly and aims to track the price of bitcoin, less its fee.
- Cost. Expense ratio 0.25%, about $25 a year on $10,000.
- Risk. Bitcoin can fall sharply in a weak year.
It suits you if
- You want bitcoin exposure inside a regular brokerage or retirement account.
- You accept very large price swings.
- You prefer a fund that holds bitcoin directly rather than options or futures.
Look elsewhere if
- You want regular income from your holdings.
- You cannot accept large losses in a single year.
- You want to hold bitcoin in your own wallet.
What IBIT holds.
The trust holds bitcoin. See the issuer page for the current amount of bitcoin held.
The fund holds bitcoin and very little else, so there is no list of companies or sectors to show. The numbers that matter are the fee, the size of the fund and how closely its price follows the bitcoin reference price.
What IBIT costs to hold each year.
The expense ratio of 0.25% means the fund keeps about $25 a year for every $10,000 you hold. That cost is taken out of the fund price in small daily amounts, so you never see a bill, but it lowers your return every year. Over ten years on a flat $10,000 the expense ratio adds up to roughly $250, before any growth.
Two other costs sit outside the expense ratio. Trading commissions depend on your brokerage, and most large U.S. brokerages now charge nothing to buy ETFs. The bid and ask spread is a small cost you pay each time you trade, and for the largest funds it is usually tiny.
Expense ratio cost at common amounts
| Amount held | Per month | Per year | Over 10 years, flat | Hypothetical 2.00% fund, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $0.21 | $2.50 | $25 | $20 |
| $5,000 | $1.04 | $12.50 | $125 | $100 |
| $10,000 | $2.08 | $25.00 | $250 | $200 |
| $25,000 | $5.21 | $62.50 | $625 | $500 |
| $50,000 | $10.42 | $125.00 | $1,250 | $1,000 |
| $100,000 | $20.83 | $250.00 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| $250,000 | $52.08 | $625.00 | $6,250 | $5,000 |
Flat estimates at the current expense ratio with no growth and no change in fee. Trading commissions depend on your brokerage and are not included. The 2.00% fund is a hypothetical used for scale.
Where the cost shows up
- Not as a bill. The share price and returns are already lower by the expense ratio.
- Trading cost shows up as the bid and ask spread each time you buy or sell, and as a commission if your broker charges one.
- In a taxable account, dividends are reported on Form 1099-DIV and taxed in the year they are paid.
Expense ratio cost calculator
Flat estimate at an expense ratio of 0.25% with no growth and no change in fee. It shows scale only, not a forecast.
How IBIT has returned.
Calendar year returns were Not captured from the issuer page for this fund, so this guide shows the period returns the issuer publishes. Returns include fees. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and a single period tells you little about the next one.
Annualised NAV returns from the issuer, as of Sep 30, 2026. They include fees.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Gaps are shown as Not captured because the issuer page did not publish that period.
IBIT fund facts in one place.
Every figure comes from the issuer for the date shown. A line reads Not captured when it is not published on the pages we use.
What the ride can look like.
IBIT can lose value, and the calendar year record shows the range so far.
- Bitcoin price risk. The value of the fund can fall sharply when bitcoin falls.
- No income. The fund does not pay a distribution, so a loss is not cushioned by payouts.
- Fee drag. The annual fee is taken from the fund, so returns trail the bitcoin price by about that amount.
- Custody and regulation. The bitcoin is held by a custodian, and rules for these funds can change.
- Premium and discount. The share price can trade slightly above or below the value of the bitcoin it holds.
How investors use IBIT.
IBIT is used by investors who want bitcoin exposure in an ordinary brokerage or retirement account. It is usually a small satellite position rather than a core holding, because bitcoin can move a very large amount in a short time.
Compare spot bitcoin funds mainly on fee, size and trading cost. They hold the same asset, so the fee is the main lasting difference between them.
Before buying IBIT, check four things on the issuer page. First, confirm the expense ratio matches the figure on this page, since fees can change when an issuer cuts costs. Second, confirm the fund is eligible for the account you plan to use. Third, read the latest tax breakdown if you hold it in a taxable account. Fourth, look at the bid and ask spread on the day you trade, since a wide spread is a cost that the expense ratio does not show.
Several comparable funds exist, with expense ratios of BTCI at 0.99%, FBTC at 0.25%, GBTC at 1.50%, ARKB at 0.21%, so weigh cost together with what each fund holds, how it pays and the account you use.
No single fund is right for everyone, and this guide describes the product rather than recommending it. The figures come from the issuer and are dated. Distribution amounts, yields and holdings change, and past returns do not predict future returns. For a decision with large amounts of money, read the prospectus and the shareholder reports, and consider speaking with a licensed adviser about your own situation.
IBIT against similar funds.
The same fund type from other issuers. Open a comparison for holdings overlap and returns.
| Fund | Issuer | Expense ratio | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBIT (this fund) | iShares | 0.25% | $59.50B |
| BTCI | NEOS | 0.99% | $1.28B |
| FBTC | Fidelity | 0.25% | $13.47B |
| GBTC | Grayscale | 1.50% | $9.25B |
| ARKB | ARK Invest | 0.21% | $2.24B |
| BITB | Bitwise | 0.20% | $2.77B |
| HODL | VanEck | 0.20% | $1.07B |
IBIT is part of the Bitcoin ETFs category on this site, grouped here with BTCI, FBTC, GBTC. Each comparison page lines up two funds on cost, holdings overlap, yield and returns, so you can see what separates them.
Where IBIT fits.
Qualified withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax free, so dividends and gains compound without a yearly tax bill and the expense ratio is the main drag you carry. IBIT is an ordinary exchange traded fund, so most brokerages let you hold it in a Roth IRA.
Tax is deferred until you withdraw, and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. A 401(k) offers only the funds on its menu, so check whether IBIT or a similar fund is in your plan.
The fund does not pay regular distributions. Gains are generally taxed when you sell shares. The tax treatment of bitcoin funds can differ from stock funds, so check the issuer tax notes and speak with a tax professional. Your broker reports the amounts on Form 1099-DIV after year end, and those figures are what count on your return. ETFs also tend to pass out few capital gains because of how shares are created and redeemed.
General education, not tax advice. Rules change, so confirm with the issuer tax documents or an adviser.
Buying IBIT in five steps.
- Pick the account. Roth IRA, traditional IRA, 401(k) or taxable. Most brokerages let IRAs hold ETFs like this one.
- Search the ticker. Type IBIT in your brokerage and choose the U.S. listing, priced in U.S. dollars.
- Use a limit order. It sets the most you will pay and avoids surprises at the open.
- Check the cost. Most large U.S. brokerages charge no commission on ETFs, and some charge a small fee per trade.
- Set a routine. Add money on a schedule and decide whether to reinvest distributions.
Terms used on this page.
Where to go next from IBIT.
Every IBIT link in one place. Start with the category, then the head to head comparisons, then the guides for other funds and the tools.
CategoryBitcoin ETFsEvery fund in this category, with a comparison page for every pair.Open the category →IBIT comparison pages 5
Guides for similar funds
More U.S. fund guides
Calculators for IBIT investors
Other ETF categories
Guides and research
Common questions about IBIT.
What is IBIT?
IBIT holds bitcoin directly and aims to track the price of bitcoin, less its fee. It is managed by iShares, trades on Nasdaq in U.S. dollars and launched on Jan 5, 2024.
What is the expense ratio of IBIT?
The expense ratio of IBIT on the issuer page is 0.25%, or about $25 a year per $10,000 invested.
What does IBIT hold?
IBIT holds a basket of stocks. See the holdings section above for the largest positions.
Can I hold IBIT in a Roth IRA or 401(k)?
Yes for IRAs. IBIT is an ordinary exchange traded fund, so most brokerages let you hold it in a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA. Whether it is available in a 401(k) depends on the funds your plan offers.
How has IBIT performed?
The issuer period returns are shown in the returns section. Returns include fees, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
IBIT or ARKB, what is the difference?
The two funds do a similar job and differ in cost, issuer and holdings. IBIT has an expense ratio of 0.25% and ARKB has an expense ratio of 0.21%. Open the IBIT vs ARKB comparison for holdings overlap, yield and returns side by side.
Source, iShares fund page. All figures are dated as shown. This guide is for education and is not personal advice or an offer to sell.