ARKB vs. IBLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ) and IBLC (iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds - ARKB tracks the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant while IBLC tracks the ICE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ARKB returned -38.64% vs 73.27% for IBLC. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ARKB charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBLC.

Performance

ARKB vs. IBLC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARKB achieves a -25.34% return, which is significantly lower than IBLC's 32.34% return.

ARKB

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: -18.40%
• YTD: -25.34%
• 6M: -29.82%
• 1Y: -38.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBLC

• 1D: -3.00%
• 1M: 13.52%
• YTD: 32.34%
• 6M: 15.25%
• 1Y: 73.27%
• 3Y*: 48.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ARKB vs. IBLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-25.34%	-6.59%	99.47%
IBLC iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF	32.34%	27.05%	30.53%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKB and IBLC is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024	0.70

The correlation between ARKB and IBLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARKB vs. IBLC — 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

IBLC

IBLC Risk / Return Rank: 33
IBLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
IBLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IBLC Omega Ratio Rank: 33
IBLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IBLC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. IBLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC). 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	IBLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	1.34	-2.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.23	1.92	-3.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.23	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.79	1.64	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	3.26	-4.62
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. IBLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARKB Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is lower than the IBLC Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARKB and IBLC, 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	IBLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.89	1.34	-2.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.40	-0.10

Drawdowns

ARKB vs. IBLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKB drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, smaller than the maximum IBLC drawdown of -62.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKB and IBLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKB	IBLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-62.54%	+13.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.30%	-44.94%	-4.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-51.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.01%	-12.99%	-35.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.99%	-25.89%	+9.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	28.40%	22.56%	+5.84%

Volatility

ARKB vs. IBLC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) is 9.44%, while iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC) has a volatility of 14.67%. This indicates that ARKB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARKB	IBLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.44%	14.67%	-5.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.31%	40.76%	-6.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.54%	54.94%	-11.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.94%	64.49%	-14.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.94%	64.49%	-14.55%

ARKB vs. IBLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKB has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than IBLC's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKB vs. IBLC - Dividend Comparison

ARKB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBLC iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF	4.77%	6.31%	1.60%	1.79%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKB and IBLC in my portfolio?

ARKB and IBLC have a correlation of 0.71, 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 IBLC?

IBLC has higher volatility (14.67%) compared to ARKB (9.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARKB dropped -49.30% vs IBLC's -62.54%.

Which ETF is better, ARKB or IBLC?

On 1-year performance, IBLC leads with 73.27% vs -38.64% for ARKB. On fees, ARKB is cheaper at 0.21% per year. On volatility, ARKB has been the lower-risk option at 9.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARKB or IBLC?

Over the 1-year period, IBLC has performed better with a 73.27% return vs -38.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKB or IBLC?

ARKB is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBLC.

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

IBLC has the higher dividend yield at 4.77%, compared with 0.00% for ARKB.

What is the main difference between ARKB and IBLC?

ARKB tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while IBLC tracks ICE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index. They also come from different issuers: ARK and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for ARKB and 0.47% for IBLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs -0.89), 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.