ARKB vs. ETHV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ) and ETHV (VanEck Ethereum ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds - ARKB tracks the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant while ETHV tracks the MarketVector Ethereum Benchmark Rate. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ARKB returned -39.62% vs -32.55% for ETHV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARKB charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ETHV.

Performance

ARKB vs. ETHV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKB achieves a -27.41% return, which is significantly higher than ETHV's -40.24% return.

ARKB

• 1D: -2.77%
• 1M: -22.21%
• YTD: -27.41%
• 6M: -31.40%
• 1Y: -39.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ETHV

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -25.17%
• YTD: -40.24%
• 6M: -43.60%
• 1Y: -32.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ARKB vs. ETHV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-27.41%	-6.59%	42.38%
ETHV VanEck Ethereum ETF	-40.24%	-11.02%	-3.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKB and ETHV is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2024	0.81

The correlation between ARKB and ETHV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARKB vs. ETHV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKB

ARKB Risk / Return Rank: 2
ARKB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Omega Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Martin Ratio Rank: 2

ETHV

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

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. ETHV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV). 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	ETHV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.91	-0.48	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.28	-0.34	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.96	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	-0.52	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	-0.86	-0.53
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. ETHV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKB Sharpe Ratio is -0.91, which is lower than the ETHV Sharpe Ratio of -0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKB and ETHV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARKB	ETHV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.91	-0.48	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	-0.42	+0.69

Drawdowns

ARKB vs. ETHV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKB drawdown since its inception was -49.45%, smaller than the maximum ETHV drawdown of -64.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKB and ETHV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKB	ETHV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.45%	-64.02%	+14.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.45%	-63.36%	+13.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-49.45%	-63.36%	+13.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.04%	-32.71%	+16.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	28.57%	37.95%	-9.38%

Volatility

ARKB vs. ETHV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) is 9.08%, while VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) has a volatility of 9.71%. This indicates that ARKB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ETHV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKB	ETHV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.08%	9.71%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.76%	45.31%	-11.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.58%	68.34%	-24.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.93%	72.23%	-22.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.93%	72.23%	-22.30%

ARKB vs. ETHV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKB has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than ETHV's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ARKB vs. ETHV - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARKB nor ETHV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKB and ETHV in my portfolio?

ARKB and ETHV have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARKB or ETHV?

ETHV has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to ARKB (9.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKB dropped -49.45% vs ETHV's -64.02%.

Which ETF is better, ARKB or ETHV?

On 1-year performance, ETHV leads with -32.55% vs -39.62% for ARKB. On fees, ETHV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, ARKB has been the lower-risk option at 9.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKB or ETHV?

Over the 1-year period, ETHV has performed better with a -32.55% return vs -39.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKB or ETHV?

ETHV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.21% for ARKB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKB or ETHV?

ARKB and ETHV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ARKB and ETHV?

ARKB tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while ETHV tracks MarketVector Ethereum Benchmark Rate. They also come from different issuers: ARK and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for ARKB and 0.20% for ETHV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETHV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.48 vs -0.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.