When the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP) launched on the ASX last year, it caused quite the stir. This exchange-traded fund (ETF) took only eight minutes on the ASX to surpass $8 million worth of trades. By the end of its first day, investors had exchanged $39.7 million worth of the ETF's units, smashing an ASX record.
This ETF from provider BetaShares doesn't invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) directly. Instead, it invests in companies that provide "'picks and shovels' exposure to the companies building crypto mining equipment, crypto trading venues, and other key services that allow the crypto economy to thrive".
Some of its current top holdings include Silvergate Capital Corp, Microstrategy Inc, and Coinbase Global Inc.
But unfortunately for the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF's early investors, there hasn't been much in the way of good news since its launch. On its first day of ASX life, CRYP closed at $11.28 per unit. But as it stands at end of trading on Tuesday, this ETF is asking just $4.89. That's a fall of almost 57%.
Of that fall, 23.35% has come during the past month alone. But now that we have seen such savage falls, many investors might be wondering if this ETF is in the bargain bin.
Is the BetaShares Crypto ETF a buy or a sell today?
Well, let's check out what two ASX expert investors reckon. Felicity Thomas from Shaw and Partners and Ben Nash from Pivot Wealth both joined a Livewire podcast recently where they shared their views on this ASX ETF.
Here's some of what Nash had to say:
This one's a buy from me. I think crypto is a really interesting space, the blockchain technology has so many applications that I think we're only just starting to see that. I think it will just grow and continue to grow. Also, the house always wins, so a lot of the companies that this particular ETF is investing in, they're companies that are not necessarily tied to the price or value of cryptocurrency or other digital assets but instead that make money when they're more and more popular. So I think that it's a huge growth area.
So that's pretty unequivocal there. Fortunately, Thomas agreed that CRYP units were a buy. Here's some of what she added:
It's another buy from me. It's off 45% from its original initiation price. I really like what Ben said, in that it's the picks and shovels of cryptocurrency in different companies, rather than direct cryptocurrency. You make money on the buyers and sales. So with ANZ and NAB and all the majors getting into cryptocurrency, I think it's here to stay.
So that's how these two ASX experts view CRYP right now. Although this ETF's first few months of life haven't been easy, who knows what the future of cryptocurrency might bring to the companies that enable this technology.
The BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF charges a management fee of 0.67% per annum.
