If you’ve been tracking the markets in 2025, there’s one ETF that’s hard to ignore: the Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC).

With a jaw-dropping year-to-date return of ~78%, it’s officially the top-performing ETF of the fiscal year.

But what’s behind this crypto-fueled rocket ship? And should investors consider hopping aboard?

The Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC) offers direct exposure to Bitcoin, not through mining companies or blockchain-related equities, but by actually holding the cryptocurrency itself. In other words, it’s a regulated, exchange-traded way to own Bitcoin without the hassle of managing wallets or private keys.

Launched through a partnership between Global X ETFs and 21Shares, this product is one of the few pure-play Bitcoin ETFs on the market, riding the wave of institutional adoption, spot ETF approvals, and mounting interest from both retail and professional investors.

• YTD Return (as of July 2025): ~78%
• Category: Cryptocurrency / Thematic ETF
• Ticker: EBTC

There are reasons why EBTC outperforms

Big players like BlackRock, Fidelity, and even sovereign wealth funds have entered the crypto space, and ETFs like EBTC have become their go-to instruments for exposure. According to Livewire Markets, this growing legitimacy has created demand that’s outpacing supply, pushing Bitcoin prices and EBTC returns sharply higher.

And, rising global tensions, currency volatility, and post-election policy shifts in the U.S. have reignited interest in decentralized stores of value. In 2025, Bitcoin has re-emerged as a hedge, not just against inflation, but against geopolitical risk.

The approval of multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year (including EBTC) was a watershed moment. It brought clarity, compliance, and credibility to what was once considered a Wild West asset class. Now, EBTC lets everyday investors access crypto via their brokerage accounts or retirement plans, without touching a crypto exchange.

EBTC is physically backed, meaning it holds actual Bitcoin on behalf of shareholders. The ETF’s price closely tracks Bitcoin’s spot price, minus fees (which are typically low compared to crypto platforms). Investors benefit from its transparent pricing, daily liquidity, and tax efficiency (depending on domicile). It doesn’t use wallets, passwords, or cold storage.

If you believe in Bitcoin’s long-term future, but don’t want to deal with the direct complexities of buying and storing it, EBTC is a compelling option.

EBTC is good for diversifying a traditional portfolio with a non-correlated asset, long-term exposure to crypto without going “all in”, and investors wanting compliance and simplicity.

But beware, Bitcoin is extremely volatile, and so is EBTC. Regulatory risks still exist, especially in global markets, so it is not a substitute for a balanced portfolio.

As Morningstar noted, crypto ETFs like EBTC are best suited for “aggressive investors with a high risk tolerance and a multi-year horizon.”

Whether you’re a crypto skeptic or evangelist, it is hard to ignore what EBTC has achieved in 2025. With nearly 80% YTD returns, this ETF has outpaced every equity, bond, and thematic fund on the scoreboard.

It is not for the faint of heart, but for investors with vision, EBTC may be one of the most exciting stories of the year.