VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) belongs to the Cryptocurrency category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with HODL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to HODL
HODL charges 0.25% annually. There are 14 ETFs in the Cryptocurrency category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.14%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust | 0.14% | 281.21M | Apr 2026 | HODL vs MSBT | |
| Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF | 0.15% | 3.37B | Jul 2024 | HODL vs BTC | |
| Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF | 0.15% | 1.48B | Jul 2024 | HODL vs ETH | |
| Franklin Bitcoin ETF | 0.19% | 358.90M | Jan 2024 | HODL vs EZBC | |
| Franklin Ethereum ETF | 0.19% | 34.62M | Jul 2024 | HODL vs EZET |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to HODL
HODL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 2. There are 46 ETFs in the Cryptocurrency category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayscale Zcash Trust (ZEC) | 91 | — | Oct 2017 | HODL vs ZCSH | |
| Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF | 82 | 395.17M | Feb 2022 | HODL vs WGMI | |
| ProShares Shrt Bitcoin ETF | 33 | 127.37M | Jun 2022 | HODL vs BITI | |
| REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF | 32 | 112.87M | Dec 2024 | HODL vs CEPI | |
| iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | 30 | 99.02M | Apr 2022 | HODL vs IBLC |
Top Performing HODL Alternatives (YTD)
HODL is at -28.75% YTD. There are 33 ETFs in the Cryptocurrency category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 85.47%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF | 85.47% | 395.17M | Feb 2022 | HODL vs WGMI | |
| ProShares UltraShort Ether ETF | 75.32% | 76.32M | Jun 2024 | HODL vs ETHD | |
| ProShares Short Ether Strategy ETF | 48.48% | 20.27M | Nov 2023 | HODL vs SETH | |
| Proshares Ultrashort Bitcoin ETF | 45.97% | 188.94M | Apr 2024 | HODL vs SBIT | |
| T-Rex 2X Inverse Bitcoin Daily Target ETF | 40.86% | — | Jul 2024 | HODL vs BTCZ |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to HODL
HODL has 44.11% 1-year volatility. There are 26 ETFs in the Cryptocurrency category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 2.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calamos Bitcoin Structured Alt Protection ETF - Oc... | 2.07% | — | Oct 2025 | HODL vs CBOO | |
| Calamos Laddered Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt ... | 3.83% | — | Oct 2025 | HODL vs CBOL | |
| Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protectio... | 6.94% | — | Oct 2025 | HODL vs CBXO | |
| FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy Floor15 ETF - October | 12.31% | 7.61M | Sep 2025 | HODL vs BFOC | |
| Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protectio... | 12.38% | — | Oct 2025 | HODL vs CBTO |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to HODL
HODL has a 1-year max drawdown of -51.96%. There are 21 ETFs in the Cryptocurrency category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -10.70%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF | -10.70% | 22.14M | Aug 2022 | HODL vs BCDF | |
| REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF | -22.47% | 112.87M | Dec 2024 | HODL vs CEPI | |
| ProShares Shrt Bitcoin ETF | -25.28% | 127.37M | Jun 2022 | HODL vs BITI | |
| Global X Bitcoin Trend Strategy ETF | -25.71% | 1.50M | Mar 2024 | HODL vs BTRN | |
| Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF | -26.51% | 17.91M | Mar 2023 | HODL vs BITC |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $85B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 94 | 72.73% | 84.54B | Dec 2011 | HODL vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -9.46% | 25.30B | May 2006 | HODL vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities | 15 | -1.45% | 4.66B | Aug 2007 | HODL vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -11.62% | 7.89B | Nov 2009 | HODL vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 23 | -2.39% | 13.10B | Apr 2012 | HODL vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 87 | 64.32% | 361.77M | Aug 2024 | HODL vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 80 | 24.22% | 2.96B | Oct 2010 | HODL vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 4 | -9.87% | 1.55B | Feb 2013 | HODL vs BIZD | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.19% | 2.81B | Apr 2011 | HODL vs FLTR | |
| VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | Blockchain, Technology Equities | 20 | 29.28% | 392.60M | Apr 2021 | HODL vs DAPP |
Often Compared With HODL
Investors most often compare HODL with IBIT, BTC-USD, FBTC. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare HODL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare HODL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair HODL with funds that move differently
VanEck Bitcoin Trust alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to HODL.
Explore HODL Diversifiers