Shawn Bradley 
Despite the dramatic price fluctuations of cryptocurrencies, interest in this market continues to grow, fueling the diversity of investment options. There are several reasons behind the global popularity of cryptocurrencies among investors, including inflation protection, fast transaction speeds, decentralization, and accessibility. With a reliable internet connection, any investor can use cryptocurrency.
However, it’s obviously important to learn how these assets work before investing in them. In a nutshell, they are different from stocks in the sense that they don’t offer you legal ownership of a company, but instead, whenever you buy crypto, you are essentially betting that its value will go up. If you consider entering the market, there are several options available to you. You can get direct exposure to it and learn how to purchase crypto with credit card, or you can purchase a crypto-related asset instead. If you’re seeking a full experience of crypto ownership, the former option is likely the best for you, while the latter is ideal if you want indirect exposure. Below, we discuss these methods of buying crypto in more detail, so keep reading to learn more.
Purchasing Crypto Directly
The simplest way to gain exposure to crypto is to buy the tokens you are interested in, whether ETH, BTC, SOL, or any other of your choice, by accessing a crypto exchange or traditional investment platform. This strategy has some unique characteristics. For instance, it allows you to gain exposure to the industry in a very short time and provides hands-on experience in the buying process, which translates into considerable benefits when it comes to understanding how crypto works.
Additionally, buying crypto directly can provide you with complete custody over your coins, allowing you to transfer them between personal crypto accounts. Since the markets are available 7 days a week, you have more flexibility when deciding when to invest, which isn’t the case for traditional assets, such as stocks. While these advantages are exciting, it is also important to be aware of the risks. Before buying cryptocurrency directly, ensure you understand the fundamentals of cryptocurrency cybersecurity, as online theft can be a significant issue, and it’s essential to implement safety measures. Furthermore, transferring coins is a complex process that requires several steps, and even the smallest error could make it impossible to ever access your investments again. Additionally, keep in mind that cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, meaning the value of a digital asset can drop dramatically at any moment.
Purchasing Crypto ETPs or ETFs
If you don’t want to buy crypto directly, you can instead choose spot crypto exchange-traded products as an alternative, as they allow you to benefit from the value of an asset without needing to buy the coin yourself. If you aren’t familiar with the nuances of cybersecurity when it comes to crypto, buying a crypto ETP may be a lot easier for you. Additionally, trusts, tax, and estate planning considerations can be more straightforward to manage, as buying ETPs involves a more traditional route. However, it’s worth noting that if you choose this alternative, you will not have direct ownership of the digital asset, and there are also risks and limitations to consider. For instance, you can only trade ETPs during traditional market hours – in other words, you must wait until the market opens in order to enter or exit positions.
Besides crypto ETPs, you can also gain exposure to cryptocurrencies via crypto ETFs, which are categorized into two different types: stock-based ETFs, which allow you to access a range of crypto stocks, and futures-based ETFs, which give you exposure to the futures of a unique crypto or several cryptocurrencies. Unlike buying individual cryptocurrencies, ETFs that monitor the broader market are associated with lower volatility, which is why it can be a more convenient option, especially for those who are new to this industry.
Purchasing Crypto Stocks
You can also invest in crypto by buying stocks of companies in the crypto sector, such as crypto exchanges, banks that offer solutions for crypto enterprises, and bitcoin mining companies. Crypto stocks allow you to bet on which companies will lead the sector, and while purchasing digital assets on an exchange incurs trading fees, the majority of brokerages enable you to trade stocks without any fees involved, although they may charge a spread.
But it’s essential to keep in mind that this strategy involves risks. The inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies, negative industry trends, poor earnings reports, and other factors can cause the value of a stock to decline considerably. If you aren’t experienced with cryptocurrencies, it’s recommended to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, and you may want to consider another alternative instead, like buying crypto-related ETFs.
Before Investing In Cryptocurrency, Know Your Why
One of the most important things to do if you’re considering investing in crypto is to be completely honest with yourself about why you are doing it. There are numerous investment options available, and many of these offer greater stability compared to cryptocurrencies. So, why do you want to choose this asset class specifically over all the other options? Is it because it’s trending and everyone’s buying it? Or do you have a more compelling reason for doing so? Every investor is different, and they have unique goals when it comes to investing, so getting clear about your own matters when embarking on this journey.
It’s recommended to take a detailed approach to assess not only your goals, but also your risk appetite and portfolio diversification. You may want to invest in crypto as an alternative asset to what you’re currently holding, or you may be looking to benefit from higher returns; whatever the case, it’s essential to understand what you’re hoping to achieve, so you can effectively set the course for your actions.
The Bottom Line
Given the popularity of cryptocurrencies, it’s not surprising that you want to get started with this asset class as well; however, the industry is still young and volatile, so it’s essential to choose the investment option that best suits you. If you’re looking for full ownership, you can always buy crypto on an exchange; however, if you aren’t willing to take all the risks involved, buying crypto in an indirect way could be a better option for you. Whatever route you take, make sure it aligns with your financial goals, investment horizon, and risk tolerance.
