CBTO vs. IBIT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CBTO (Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CBTO is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Calamos, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. CBTO is actively managed, while IBIT is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CBTO charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

CBTO vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October (CBTO) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBTO achieves a -8.37% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -29.06% return.

CBTO

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.05%
• 6M: -9.42%
• YTD: -8.37%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -2.79%
• 1M: -2.28%
• 6M: -32.10%
• YTD: -29.06%
• 1Y: -47.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CBTO vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CBTO Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October	-8.37%	-13.82%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-29.06%	-30.35%

Correlation

The correlation between CBTO and IBIT is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

CBTO vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

CBTO

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

IBIT

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

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.

CBTO vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October (CBTO) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	CBTO	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	-1.08	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	-1.65	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	0.82	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	-0.90	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	-1.46	—

Drawdowns

CBTO vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBTO drawdown since its inception was -21.27%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBTO and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBTO	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.27%	-53.30%	+32.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-53.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.19%	-50.60%	+29.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-17.56%	+1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	32.72%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CBTO	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.51%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	34.79%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.96%	44.38%	-32.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.96%	49.97%	-38.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.96%	49.97%	-38.01%

CBTO vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

CBTO has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

CBTO vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

CBTO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
CBTO Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October	0.24%	0.22%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBTO and IBIT in my portfolio?

CBTO and IBIT have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CBTO or IBIT?

On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CBTO or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CBTO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CBTO or IBIT?

CBTO has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between CBTO and IBIT?

CBTO is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CBTO and 0.25% for IBIT.