BTC vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

BTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTC is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Grayscale, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. BTC is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, BTC returned -46.27% vs 21.66% for SPY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BTC charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BTC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) 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, BTC achieves a -26.28% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.84% return.

BTC

• 1D: 3.74%
• 1M: 1.49%
• 6M: -31.73%
• YTD: -26.28%
• 1Y: -46.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.62%
• 6M: 8.94%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 1Y: 21.66%
• 3Y*: 20.21%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 10Y*: 15.12%

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

BTC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BTC Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF	-26.28%	-7.50%	41.93%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.84%	17.72%	8.83%

Correlation

The correlation between BTC and SPY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2024	0.45

Return for Risk

BTC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BTC

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

BTC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) 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.

	BTC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.05	1.73	-2.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.58	2.39	-3.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.31	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.87	2.45	-3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.41	10.67	-12.08

BTC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTC Sharpe Ratio is -1.05, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTC 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

BTC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTC drawdown since its inception was -53.30%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.30%	-55.19%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.30%	-8.88%	-44.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
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	-48.62%	-0.76%	-47.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.61%	-9.02%	-9.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	32.80%	2.04%	+30.76%

Volatility

BTC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) has a higher volatility of 11.65% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.96%. This indicates that BTC'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

	BTC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.65%	3.96%	+7.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.96%	10.00%	+24.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.40%	12.58%	+31.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.00%	17.17%	+30.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	48.00%	17.93%	+30.07%

BTC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTC has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BTC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BTC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTC Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 BTC and SPY in my portfolio?

BTC and SPY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BTC or SPY?

BTC has higher volatility (11.65%) compared to SPY (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTC dropped -53.30% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BTC or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 21.66% vs -46.27% for BTC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BTC or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 21.66% return vs -46.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for BTC.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for BTC.

What is the main difference between BTC and SPY?

BTC is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for BTC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs -1.05), 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.