ARKD vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ARKD (ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARKD is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by ARK, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. ARKD is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARKD charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

ARKD vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ARKD

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 8.82%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 24.22%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 15.14%

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

ARKD vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	-2.07%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	8.82%

Correlation

The correlation between ARKD and VTI is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2026	0.81

Return for Risk

ARKD vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARKD

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

ARKD vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ARKD	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.90	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.59	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.73	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	12.14	—

Drawdowns

ARKD vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARKD drawdown since its inception was -14.03%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARKD and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARKD	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.03%	-55.45%	+41.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.92%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.29%	-2.85%	-2.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-8.01%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ARKD	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.95%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.05%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.51%	12.83%	+7.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.51%	17.51%	+3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.51%	18.32%	+2.19%

ARKD vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARKD has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARKD vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

ARKD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARKD and VTI in my portfolio?

ARKD and VTI have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ARKD or VTI?

On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARKD or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for ARKD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARKD or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.00% for ARKD.

What is the main difference between ARKD and VTI?

ARKD is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for ARKD and 0.03% for VTI.