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“Personally, I think owning bitcoin through ETFs and Bitcoin treasury companies has its own risks, so I prefer self-custody.”
I’m responding to this statement. When you have ETFs you don’t own Bitcoin at all. You own shares you actually have zero Bitcoin all you have is exposure to the exchange rate.
You don’t learn about the network, fees, incentives, lightning, privacy, you can’t spend it you basically learn 0.
Having the ‘ETFs instead’ for someone with curiosity is indefensible.
But the author of the article did do self custody but chose to change to ETFs. That suggests he understood about keys, network fees, etc., but ultimately decided that ETFs work better for him.
I wouldn't do what he did, but I wouldn't call him "not a bitcoiner" (not that you called him that either)
Its just an investment vehicle similar to gold ETFs. Its just what it is. It needs no excuses. You just need to know what it actually is. Pretty convinced most ETF holders are under little illusion. If they were concerned about the stuff you mentioned they would not be in ETFs.
The other sector are people will tax advantaged money that move it out of stocks into ETFs. They might also hold real bitcoin. I don't think these people are under any illusions either.
Great thing is I don't have to care. I can make my own choices and others should make theirs as well. Trust me, if it all goes sideways they will pay for it.
If all or the great majority of one’s bitcoin is held in ETFs… how do you spend it?
How do you transact? What is the purpose of lightning?