BTCU vs. SPXL

Last updated Jun 30, 2026

BTCU (Direxion Daily Bitcoin Bull 2X ETF) and SPXL (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTCU is a Leveraged Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Direxion, while SPXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. BTCU is actively managed, while SPXL is passively managed. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BTCU vs. SPXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Bitcoin Bull 2X ETF (BTCU) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BTCU

• 1D: 2.26%
• 1M: -34.52%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPXL

• 1D: 5.36%
• 1M: -6.68%
• YTD: 20.70%
• 6M: 17.50%
• 1Y: 56.11%
• 3Y*: 44.66%
• 5Y*: 20.91%
• 10Y*: 29.46%

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

BTCU vs. SPXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BTCU Direxion Daily Bitcoin Bull 2X ETF	-37.06%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	-4.58%

Correlation

The correlation between BTCU and SPXL is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2026	0.40

Return for Risk

BTCU vs. SPXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BTCU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

SPXL

SPXL Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SPXL Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SPXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPXL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

BTCU vs. SPXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Bitcoin Bull 2X ETF (BTCU) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF (SPXL). 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.

	BTCU	SPXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.50	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.99	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.26	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.11	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	8.42	—

Drawdowns

BTCU vs. SPXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTCU drawdown since its inception was -39.60%, smaller than the maximum SPXL drawdown of -76.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTCU and SPXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTCU	SPXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.60%	-76.86%	+37.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-26.77%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-48.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-76.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.19%	-7.77%	-29.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.22%	-16.09%	-10.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.69%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BTCU	SPXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	15.49%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	29.87%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.92%	37.61%	+52.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	89.92%	50.60%	+39.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	89.92%	53.40%	+36.52%

Dividends

BTCU vs. SPXL - Dividend Comparison

BTCU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than SPXL's 0.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BTCU Direxion Daily Bitcoin Bull 2X ETF	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXL Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X ETF	0.54%	0.69%	0.74%	0.98%	0.32%	0.11%	0.22%	0.84%	1.02%	3.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTCU and SPXL in my portfolio?

BTCU and SPXL have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BTCU or SPXL?

SPXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.54%, compared with 0.28% for BTCU.

What is the main difference between BTCU and SPXL?

BTCU is categorized as Leveraged Cryptocurrency, while SPXL is Leveraged Equities.