ARKB vs. ARKX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX).

ARKB and ARKX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ARKB is a passively managed fund by ARK that tracks the performance of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. It was launched on Jan 10, 2024. ARKX is an actively managed fund by ARK. It was launched on Mar 30, 2021.

Performance

ARKB vs. ARKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ARKB vs. ARKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-22.11%	-6.59%	99.47%
ARKX ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF	3.21%	48.46%	33.33%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKB achieves a -22.11% return, which is significantly lower than ARKX's 3.21% return.

ARKB

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -1.48%
• YTD: -22.11%
• 6M: -42.07%
• 1Y: -19.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ARKX

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: -7.49%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 6M: 3.53%
• 1Y: 68.32%
• 3Y*: 28.79%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARKB vs. ARKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKB has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKX's 0.75% expense ratio.

ARKX

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF

ARKB

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

Return for Risk

ARKB vs. ARKX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARKB

ARKB Risk / Return Rank: 6
ARKB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ARKB Martin Ratio Rank: 6

ARKX

ARKX Risk / Return Rank: 86
ARKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
ARKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
ARKX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ARKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ARKX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARKB vs. ARKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARKB	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.45	1.98	-2.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.37	2.60	-2.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.32	-0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.35	3.36	-3.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.75	9.46	-10.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARKB vs. ARKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKB Sharpe Ratio is -0.45, which is lower than the ARKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKB and ARKX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARKB	ARKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.45	1.98	-2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.30	+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between ARKB and ARKX is 0.42, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

ARKB vs. ARKX - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKB nor ARKX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

ARKB vs. ARKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKB drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, which is greater than ARKX's maximum drawdown of -43.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKB and ARKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKB	ARKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-43.61%	-5.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.30%	-20.42%	-28.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.76%	-14.96%	-30.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.16%	-20.49%	+6.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.23%	7.25%	+15.98%

Volatility

ARKB vs. ARKX - Volatility Comparison

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has a higher volatility of 12.92% compared to ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) at 11.25%. This indicates that ARKB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKB	ARKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.92%	11.25%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.73%	25.62%	+11.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.14%	34.73%	+10.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.96%	27.20%	+23.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.96%	27.20%	+23.76%