BTCI vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTCI is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Neos, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. BTCI is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, BTCI returned -34.62% vs 27.05% for SPY. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BTCI charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BTCI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) 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, BTCI achieves a -25.54% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.09% return.

BTCI

• 1D: -2.32%
• 1M: -16.42%
• YTD: -25.54%
• 6M: -25.93%
• 1Y: -34.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 10.09%
• 6M: 10.30%
• 1Y: 27.05%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

BTCI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	-25.54%	-1.09%	26.12%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.09%	17.72%	0.99%

Correlation

The correlation between BTCI 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2024	0.46

Return for Risk

BTCI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BTCI

BTCI Risk / Return Rank: 2
BTCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BTCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

BTCI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) 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.

	BTCI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	2.17	-3.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.19	2.92	-4.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.39	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.74	3.02	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.31	13.61	-14.92

BTCI vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTCI Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTCI 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

BTCI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTCI drawdown since its inception was -47.16%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTCI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTCI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.16%	-55.19%	+8.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.16%	-8.88%	-38.28%
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	-44.94%	-1.44%	-43.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.92%	-9.04%	-6.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.71%	1.97%	+24.74%

Volatility

BTCI vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) has a higher volatility of 12.11% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.73%. This indicates that BTCI'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

	BTCI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.11%	4.73%	+7.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.18%	9.81%	+21.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.53%	12.41%	+27.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.31%	17.15%	+23.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.31%	17.98%	+22.33%

BTCI vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTCI has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTCI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BTCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 48.02%, more than SPY's 1.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	48.02%	36.46%	6.76%	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	1.01%	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 BTCI and SPY in my portfolio?

BTCI 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, BTCI or SPY?

BTCI has higher volatility (12.11%) compared to SPY (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTCI dropped -47.16% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BTCI or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 27.05% vs -34.62% for BTCI. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BTCI or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 27.05% return vs -34.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTCI or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for BTCI.

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

BTCI has the higher dividend yield at 48.02%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between BTCI and SPY?

BTCI is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Neos and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for BTCI and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs -0.89), 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.