BTCI vs. SMST

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTCI is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Neos, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BTCI returned -40.21% vs 128.37% for SMST. Their -0.79 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BTCI charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

BTCI vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BTCI achieves a -25.73% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -35.77% return.

BTCI

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: 2.51%
• 6M: -23.02%
• YTD: -25.73%
• 1Y: -40.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -4.18%

SMST

• 1D: 8.37%
• 1M: 5.47%
• 6M: -29.35%
• YTD: -35.77%
• 1Y: 128.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -83.68%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	$12.53M	$12.80M	$22.67M
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	$15.35M	$15.12M	$17.58M

BTCI vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	-25.73%	-1.09%	26.12%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-35.77%	-44.36%	-81.36%

Correlation

The correlation between BTCI and SMST is -0.84, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2024	-0.79

The correlation between BTCI and SMST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.84 to -0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BTCI vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BTCI

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

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 52
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BTCI vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). 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.

	BTCI	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.05	1.13	-2.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.53	2.09	-3.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.27	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.87	2.00	-2.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	3.68	-5.04

BTCI vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTCI Sharpe Ratio is -1.05, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTCI and SMST, 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

BTCI vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTCI drawdown since its inception was -48.42%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTCI and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTCI	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.42%	-99.25%	+50.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.42%	-85.39%	+36.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.08%	-97.48%	+52.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.81%	-91.08%	+73.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.79%	46.35%	-15.56%

Volatility

BTCI vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) is 7.31%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 38.14%. This indicates that BTCI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BTCI	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.31%	38.14%	-30.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.70%	135.29%	-104.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.00%	151.04%	-111.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.67%	166.75%	-127.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.67%	166.75%	-127.08%

BTCI vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTCI has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTCI vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

BTCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 41.26%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	41.26%	36.46%	6.76%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTCI and SMST in my portfolio?

BTCI and SMST have a correlation of -0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BTCI or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (38.14%) compared to BTCI (7.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTCI dropped -48.42% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, BTCI or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 128.37% vs -40.21% for BTCI. On fees, BTCI is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, BTCI has been the lower-risk option at 7.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BTCI or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 128.37% return vs -40.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTCI or SMST?

BTCI is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BTCI or SMST?

BTCI has the higher dividend yield at 41.26%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between BTCI and SMST?

BTCI is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Neos and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for BTCI and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 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.