One year has passed since Hong Kong launched its first crypto asset spot ETFs, marking a pivotal moment in Asia’s journey toward regulated digital asset investment. On April 30, 2025, the six pioneering exchange-traded funds—three tracking Bitcoin and three tracking Ethereum—celebrated their first anniversary. The performance divergence between the two asset classes has been stark: while all Bitcoin spot ETFs delivered strong positive returns, every Ethereum-linked ETF ended the year in the red.
This milestone not only reflects the evolving maturity of Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure but also underscores how closely these products mirror the underlying crypto markets. As institutional players double down on innovation—from staking-enabled ETFs to tokenized funds—the region is fast becoming a global testing ground for next-generation digital finance.
Performance Review: A Tale of Two Assets
Since their launch, the three Bitcoin spot ETFs—BoC Hong Kong Bitcoin ETF (03008.HK), Harvest Bitcoin ETF (03439.HK), and China Asset Management Bitcoin ETF (03043.HK)—have delivered cumulative returns of 47.1%, 46.19%, and 46.76%, respectively, as of April 29, 2025. These figures align closely with Bitcoin’s price movement over the same period, which climbed from around $60,000 to nearly $110,000 before settling just below $100,000—a gain of roughly 40%.
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In contrast, the Ethereum-based ETFs—BoC Hong Kong Ethereum ETF (03009.HK), Harvest Ethereum ETF (03179.HK), and China Asset Management Ethereum ETF (03046.HK)—recorded losses of -44.22%, -46.76%, and -44.53%. This mirrors Ethereum’s price trajectory, which declined from approximately $2,200 to the $1,600 range over the past year.
"The performance of crypto spot ETFs is directly tied to their underlying assets," said Sopha Chen, head of a licensed virtual asset trading firm in Hong Kong. "Whether in the U.S. or Hong Kong, returns depend entirely on which asset you choose. Investors who diversified across both Bitcoin and Ethereum would have seen little net gain."
Why Bitcoin Outperformed Ethereum
The divergence in performance stems from fundamental differences in market sentiment and adoption trends.
Bitcoin continues to be viewed as digital gold—a store of value amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Its limited supply, growing institutional custody solutions, and increasing acceptance as collateral in traditional finance have bolstered confidence.
Ethereum, while still the leading smart contract platform, has faced headwinds. Slower-than-expected adoption of layer-2 scaling solutions, competition from newer blockchains, and regulatory scrutiny around its transition to proof-of-stake have contributed to investor caution.
Moreover, trading volume for Bitcoin ETFs has consistently outpaced that of Ethereum counterparts. Market makers report higher liquidity and broader investor interest in Bitcoin products, particularly among high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
Accessibility and Investment Mechanics
Crypto spot ETFs simplify access to digital assets by eliminating the need for private key management or cryptocurrency wallets. Instead, investors can buy shares through traditional stock exchanges using cash or even directly with Bitcoin in some cases.
However, participation remains restricted:
- Investors must hold accounts with Hong Kong-based brokers.
- According to a joint statement by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) in December 2023, these products cannot be marketed to retail investors in jurisdictions where virtual assets are restricted—including mainland China.
- Nonetheless, mainland residents with Hong Kong identification may participate under regulatory compliance.
Each fund has distinct entry requirements:
- Lot sizes:华夏 Bitcoin ETF and Harvest Bitcoin ETF require 100 shares per trade; BoC offers a lower barrier at 10 shares.
- Minimum subscription: Ranges from 10,000 shares (BoC and China Asset Management) to 50,000 shares (Harvest).
All three Bitcoin ETFs support both cash and in-kind creation and redemption, allowing long-term holders to effectively own underlying Bitcoin without managing custody risks.
FAQ: Understanding Hong Kong’s Crypto ETF Landscape
Q: Can mainland Chinese investors buy Hong Kong crypto ETFs?
A: Not directly. These products are not available to retail investors in mainland China due to regulatory restrictions. However, mainland residents with Hong Kong IDs and brokerage accounts may invest if they meet professional investor criteria.
Q: What’s the difference between cash-settled and physically backed ETFs?
A: The Hong Kong crypto spot ETFs are physically backed—they hold actual Bitcoin or Ethereum reserves. This reduces counterparty risk compared to futures-based or synthetic ETFs.
Q: Are there plans for other crypto asset ETFs?
A: Yes. With growing demand, financial institutions are exploring ETFs linked to other digital assets, including stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets.
Q: How do staking-enabled Ethereum ETFs work?
A: Newer Ethereum ETFs approved in April 2025 allow staking—the process of locking ETH to support network security and earn yield. This introduces income potential beyond price appreciation.
Institutional Innovation: The Next Frontier
While the initial wave of spot ETFs focused on market access, the second phase is defined by product enhancement and technological advancement.
Key developments include:
- BoC HashKey Ethereum ETF: Approved on April 11, 2025, this is the first Asia-Pacific ETF to support Ethereum staking, launching April 25.
- China Asset Management Ethereum ETF: Also received SFC approval for staking capabilities.
- Harvest International: Launched Hong Kong’s first tokenized fund for professional investors via Meta Lab HK.
- China Asset Management: Debuted the Asia-Pacific’s first retail-accessible tokenized fund—the ChinaAMC HKD Digital Currency Fund—in February 2025.
- BoC International & HashKey Group: Received approval for the world’s first tokenized money market ETF, issued globally in April 2025.
These innovations signal a shift from simple exposure tools to sophisticated financial instruments leveraging blockchain efficiency.
👉 See how tokenization is transforming traditional finance at scale.
Regulatory Support Fuels Growth
Hong Kong’s government has taken an active role in fostering this ecosystem.
On April 7, 2025, Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced an upcoming second virtual asset policy statement, outlining strategies to integrate Web3 technologies into traditional finance and boost real-economy applications.
SFC Executive Director of Investment Products Fiona Choi emphasized Hong Kong’s strategic push into two key areas:
- Virtual asset ETFs
- Asset tokenization
Already, Hong Kong hosts tokenized private structured notes, warrants, bonds, private funds, and retail gold products. Three retail tokenized money market funds are listed, one setting a record for debut规模 (scale).
Industry estimates suggest the tokenized asset market could reach $1 trillion by 2030**, with annual cost savings exceeding **$100 billion across asset management alone.
Final Thoughts: A Model for Global Adoption?
Hong Kong’s first-year results show that while crypto performance drives short-term returns, long-term success lies in continuous innovation and regulatory clarity.
With Bitcoin ETFs proving popular and institutions racing to launch staking and tokenized products, the city is positioning itself as a leader in regulated digital finance.
For global investors watching closely, Hong Kong offers a blueprint: combine robust oversight with forward-looking policy to unlock secure, scalable access to the future of finance.
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