In January 2024, the SEC approved 11 Bitcoin ETFs — regulated investment vehicles that allow individual and institutional investors to hold Bitcoin inside IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, and treasury accounts with regulatory protection. Bitcoin was created in 2009 in response to the 2008 banking crisis to operate independently of governments and banks. Now offered by BlackRock, Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab. Bitcoin is recognized by the CFTC as a commodity, not a security. Hard supply limit of 21 million coins, over 90% already mined. Case study: Jeremy, 49, $280K IRA, shifted 10% into a regulated Bitcoin ETF through Fidelity for inflation protection and asymmetric growth potential.