so, what id like to do is invest bitcoins to a stock or mutual fund account, but am not sure the best way to go about it. any tips/advice?
I don't think there are any bitcoin mutual funds, yet.
Buy and hold strategy with respect to Bitcoin is more popular, than investing it.
I agree. With bitcoin you have chance to make keep them almost 100% safe, if you follow some instructions. When you invest bitcoins or fiat anywhere you give them to someone else and you are depending on their security or whatever.
Your risk will highly increase, so make sure i you will get a lot for it.