The crypto industry is celebrating a long-awaited milestone today as the first ETF linked to Bitcoin (BTC-USD) launches on the New York Stock Exchange. The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) does not invest directly in Bitcoin, but will rather hold futures contracts of the digital currency - meaning it will have a very high correlation with Bitcoin, but won't mirror the token's exact value. It will also cost more to own the fund, but some may be willing to pay up for institutional level custody, execution and security. Crypto fund AUM rise to record high. Bigger picture: The new approval could bring more investors into the crypto market as it comes with a more regulated structure. That means 401(k)'s and IRA's could now have an allocation of the sector, while the ETFs will also be available through brokerage accounts. Until now, Bitcoin has been a favorite among tech-savvy or younger