Easy crypto investing with Mintos

Cryptocurrency is digital money that only exists online and functions independently of traditional banks or governments. Unlike regular currencies, cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology, which is a secure digital ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. This makes transactions transparent and very difficult to counterfeit or manipulate.

Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained value because people trust them as stores of value or means of exchange. Bitcoin, for example, is often called "digital gold" because many investors use it to diversify their portfolios, similar to how they might invest in precious metals. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate significantly based on market demand, adoption, and investor sentiment. On Mintos, you invest in crypto through ETPs rather than buying cryptocurrencies directly.

Crypto ETPs (Exchange-Traded Products) are exchange-traded financial instruments that provide exposure to the price movements of cryptocurrencies, without requiring direct purchase or custody of the underlying assets. Think of them as ETFs for crypto - they trade on traditional stock exchanges and track the performance of underlying cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. When you buy a crypto ETP, you gain exposure to the cryptocurrency's price movements without needing to set up crypto wallets, manage private keys, or worry about security. You simply buy and sell them like any other investment on Mintos.

Crypto ETPs offer several key advantages over direct crypto ownership:

• Simplicity: No need for separate crypto wallets, exchanges, or private keys. Simply invest through your familiar Mintos platform.
• Secure and regulated: Your investment is backed by regulated issuers using professional-grade security measures.
• Easy investment management: Simply add crypto exposure to your existing investment portfolio.

We apply specific selection criteria to offer only the highest-quality crypto ETPs. Our process focuses on:

• Physical backing: ETPs must be 100% backed by actual cryptocurrency held in secure custody.
• Trusted providers: We only work with regulated, established issuers like BlackRock, VanEck, and Bitwise.
• Market leaders: We focus on the most well-known and established cryptocurrencies that maintain strong market positions.
• Cost efficiency: Competitive fees and tight trading spreads to maximize your returns.

This curated approach means you get carefully selected ETPs covering major cryptocurrencies, rather than an overwhelming choice.

Crypto ETPs are volatile investments that can significantly change in value quickly. Cryptocurrency prices can fluctuate dramatically, sometimes by 20% or more in a single day. These changes are based on market sentiment, regulatory news, or adoption changes. You could lose some or all of your investment.

However, crypto ETPs do offer important protections compared to direct crypto ownership:

• Regulated framework: ETPs operate under EU financial regulations (MiFID II) ensuring transparency, investor protections, and oversight by financial authorities.
• Physical backing: Your investment is backed by actual cryptocurrency held in separate custody accounts.
• Professional security: Underlying assets are held by specialist custodians using cold storage and institutional-grade security.
• Established providers: ETP issuers are regulated financial institutions with traditional finance experience.
• Transparency: Regular reporting ensures your investment is properly backed.

While ETPs provide a more secure and regulated way to gain crypto exposure, they still carry the same market risks as the underlying cryptocurrencies. Only invest what you can afford to lose.

You'll be charged a small fee on each buy or sell order you make of €0.99 or 0.49% of the order amount, whichever is higher. There are no ongoing holding fees or management charges from Mintos.

Please note that the ETPs (similar to ETFs) themselves have their own management fees called Total Expense Ratio (TER). These fees are charged by the ETP provider (like BlackRock or VanEck) to cover the costs of managing the underlying cryptocurrency and operating the ETP. This fee applies regardless of which platform or broker you use to buy the ETP – it's built into the ETP's daily price.

For example, if you invest €1 000 in a Bitcoin ETP with a 0.25% TER, you'll pay €2.50 per year, which is automatically deducted from the ETP's performance rather than charged separately. At Mintos, we rigorously evaluate these fees before offering any crypto ETP, ensuring they're competitive – preferably below 0.25% (25 basis points) for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.