SEC highlights key differences between crypto ETFs and trusts

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and trusts are central structures for crypto investment products, but their legal and operational differences can have a significant impact on investors. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, products marketed as crypto ETFs are often organized as trusts, contributing to confusion about their underlying structure, investor protections, and applicable regulations. An ETF is a fund whose shares are traded on an exchange, allowing investors to gain exposure to a basket of assets or a single asset. A trust, on the other hand, is a legal entity that holds assets and can issue shares to investors.