BITO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BITO (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BITO is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by ProShares, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. BITO is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BITO returned 17.05%/yr vs 20.89%/yr for SPY. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BITO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BITO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BITO achieves a -33.32% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.25% return.

BITO

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -22.17%
• YTD: -33.32%
• 6M: -33.16%
• 1Y: -47.20%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -1.92%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 22.29%
• 3Y*: 20.89%
• 5Y*: 12.99%
• 10Y*: 15.75%

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

BITO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BITO ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF	-33.32%	-11.19%	104.45%	137.33%	-63.91%	-29.31%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.25%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	6.58%

Correlation

The correlation between BITO and SPY is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2021	0.42

The correlation between BITO and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (3 years) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BITO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BITO

BITO Risk / Return Rank: 1
BITO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
BITO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
BITO Omega Ratio Rank: 1
BITO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BITO Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

BITO vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	BITO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	1.80	-2.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.65	2.46	-4.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.33	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	2.52	-3.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.49	11.15	-12.64

BITO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BITO Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BITO and SPY, 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

BITO vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BITO drawdown since its inception was -77.86%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BITO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BITO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.86%	-55.19%	-22.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.01%	-8.88%	-45.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.01%	-18.76%	-35.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.01%	-3.08%	-50.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.89%	-9.03%	-27.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.65%	2.00%	+29.65%

Volatility

BITO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) has a higher volatility of 12.96% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.79%. This indicates that BITO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BITO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.96%	4.79%	+8.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.32%	9.80%	+24.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.16%	12.43%	+31.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.00%	17.15%	+37.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	55.00%	17.95%	+37.05%

BITO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BITO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BITO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BITO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 74.68%, more than SPY's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BITO ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF	74.68%	78.29%	61.59%	15.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BITO and SPY in my portfolio?

BITO and SPY have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BITO or SPY?

BITO has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to SPY (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BITO dropped -77.86% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BITO or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.89% vs 17.05% for BITO. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BITO or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.89% return vs 17.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BITO or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BITO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BITO or SPY?

BITO has the higher dividend yield at 74.68%, compared with 1.02% for SPY.

What is the main difference between BITO and SPY?

BITO is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BITO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs -1.07), 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.