BITC vs. BILS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BITC (Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF) and BILS (SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BITC is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Bitwise, while BILS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg 3-12 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. BITC is actively managed, while BILS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BITC returned 28.98%/yr vs 4.61%/yr for BILS. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BITC charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BILS.

Performance

BITC vs. BILS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC) and SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BITC achieves a 3.58% return, which is significantly higher than BILS's 1.57% return.

BITC

• 1D: -3.33%
• 1M: -3.10%
• YTD: 3.58%
• 6M: 3.49%
• 1Y: -13.86%
• 3Y*: 28.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BILS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 1.57%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 3.84%
• 3Y*: 4.61%
• 5Y*: 3.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

BITC vs. BILS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BITC Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF	3.58%	-20.46%	97.86%	42.71%
BILS SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF	1.57%	4.23%	5.17%	3.91%

Correlation

The correlation between BITC and BILS is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2023	0.00

The correlation between BITC and BILS shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.01 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BITC vs. BILS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BITC

BITC Risk / Return Rank: 5
BITC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
BITC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Martin Ratio Rank: 6

BILS

BILS Risk / Return Rank: 100
BILS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BILS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BILS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BILS Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BILS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

BITC vs. BILS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC) and SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS). 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.

	BITC	BILS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.55	16.64	-17.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.65	87.69	-88.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	34.24	-33.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	127.82	-128.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.73	1,285.26	-1,285.99

BITC vs. BILS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BITC Sharpe Ratio is -0.55, which is lower than the BILS Sharpe Ratio of 16.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BITC and BILS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BITC vs. BILS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BITC drawdown since its inception was -38.51%, which is greater than BILS's maximum drawdown of -0.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BITC and BILS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BITC	BILS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.51%	-0.41%	-38.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.51%	-0.03%	-26.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.51%	-0.04%	-38.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.82%	0.00%	-28.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.51%	-0.04%	-16.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.94%	0.00%	+18.94%

Volatility

BITC vs. BILS - Volatility Comparison

Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS) at 0.06%. This indicates that BITC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BILS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BITC	BILS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	0.06%	+3.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.00%	0.14%	+18.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.12%	0.23%	+24.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.29%	0.31%	+45.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.29%	0.30%	+45.99%

BITC vs. BILS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BITC has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than BILS's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

BITC vs. BILS - Dividend Comparison

BITC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, less than BILS's 3.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BILS SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF	3.81%	4.08%	5.01%	4.98%	1.61%
BITC Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF	3.25%	3.36%	42.68%	5.82%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BITC and BILS in my portfolio?

BITC and BILS have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BITC or BILS?

BITC has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to BILS (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BITC dropped -38.51% vs BILS's -0.41%.

Which ETF is better, BITC or BILS?

On 3-year performance, BITC leads with 28.98% vs 4.61% for BILS. On fees, BILS is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BILS has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BITC or BILS?

Over the 3-year period, BITC has performed better with a 28.98% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BITC or BILS?

BILS is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for BITC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BITC or BILS?

BILS has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 3.25% for BITC.

What is the main difference between BITC and BILS?

BITC is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while BILS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Bitwise and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for BITC and 0.14% for BILS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BILS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (16.64 vs -0.55), 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.