How to Invest in Crypto Through Your Brokerage

Can I buy bitcoin inside my Fidelity or Schwab account?

Yes — you can buy a spot bitcoin ETF (IBIT, FBTC, ARKB, BITB and others) inside any standard Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, or E*TRADE brokerage account using the ticker, just like buying a stock. Vanguard is the exception: as of 2026 it still does not allow customers to buy spot crypto ETFs on its platform, citing its long-stated view that crypto is not an asset class suited to long-term portfolios. To buy the actual coin (not an ETF), Fidelity is currently the only one of the three with native crypto trading.

What is the cheapest spot bitcoin ETF?

Franklin Templeton's EZBC and Bitwise's BITB launched with the lowest headline expense ratios at 0.19% and 0.20% respectively, with fee waivers that bring effective cost to 0% for an introductory period or up to an AUM threshold. BlackRock's IBIT and Fidelity's FBTC charge 0.25% after waiver. Grayscale's GBTC remains the most expensive at 1.50%. Expense ratios update; always check the issuer prospectus before buying.

Do I pay capital gains tax on a bitcoin ETF the same way as on bitcoin?

Functionally yes — a spot bitcoin ETF held in a taxable brokerage account is taxed as a security under standard capital gains rules: short-term rates if held under one year, long-term rates if held over a year. The IRS treats the underlying bitcoin as property under Notice 2014-21, but because you own ETF shares (not the coin), wash-sale rules and 1099-B reporting apply just like any stock. Direct coin ownership does not currently trigger wash-sale rules, which is a tax-loss-harvesting difference some investors weigh.

Can I hold crypto in a 401(k)?

Rarely, as of 2026. Fidelity launched a 401(k) bitcoin option in 2022, but adoption by plan sponsors has been limited. The August 2025 Trump executive order directed the Department of Labor to revise its 2022 guidance that discouraged crypto in 401(k)s, but plan availability still depends entirely on your employer's plan administrator deciding to add the option. Most large plans have not. A self-directed IRA is currently the more reliable route for retirement-account crypto exposure.

Is buying Coinbase stock the same as buying crypto?

No. Coinbase (COIN) stock price is correlated with crypto prices, but you are buying equity in a publicly traded company subject to its own earnings, regulatory risk, share dilution, and competitive pressure. In years where bitcoin rose, COIN has both outperformed and underperformed bitcoin depending on Coinbase's quarterly results and SEC actions. The same is true for MicroStrategy (MSTR), which holds a large bitcoin treasury but trades at a variable premium or discount to its bitcoin-per-share net asset value.

Do spot crypto ETFs trade on weekends?

No. Spot bitcoin and ether ETFs only trade during NYSE hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, excluding market holidays. The underlying crypto trades 24/7, which means the ETF can gap up or down at market open if the coin moved significantly overnight or on a weekend. Direct exchange ownership avoids this; an ETF investor cannot react to a Saturday price move until Monday's open.

Which path has the lowest total cost?

For long-term passive bitcoin exposure in a taxable account, a low-fee spot ETF (0.19% to 0.25%) is typically cheaper than self-custody once you account for the time and risk of key management, and dramatically cheaper than most crypto IRAs which often charge 1% to 2% annually plus setup fees. For tax-advantaged growth, a Roth IRA with a spot ETF inside it (where the brokerage allows it) combines the lowest fee with the best tax wrapper. Run your own numbers — fees compound.