ARKD vs. VTI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).

ARKD and VTI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ARKD is an actively managed fund by ARK. It was launched on Nov 14, 2023. VTI is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. It was launched on Jun 27, 2016.

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.

ARKD vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	-8.11%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	-3.59%

Returns By Period

ARKD

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: -3.67%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -4.38%
• YTD: -3.29%
• 6M: -1.26%
• 1Y: 18.60%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 13.69%

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

ARKD vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

ARKD

ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF

VTI

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Return for Risk

ARKD vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARKD	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-1.42	0.48	-1.90

Correlation

The correlation between ARKD and VTI is 0.84, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

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 1.17%.

	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	1.17%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

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	—	-12.30%	—
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	-10.43%	-5.54%	-4.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.73%	-8.08%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.60%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ARKD	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.48%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.75%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.96%	19.02%	+1.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.96%	17.41%	+3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.96%	18.29%	+2.67%