DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DAPP.L (VanEck Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF A USD Acc) and DFNS.L (VanEck Defense UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DAPP.L is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD, while DFNS.L is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DAPP.L returned 56.66%/yr vs 42.94%/yr for DFNS.L. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DAPP.L charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for DFNS.L.

Performance

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF A USD Acc (DAPP.L) and VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAPP.L achieves a 29.21% return, which is significantly higher than DFNS.L's 3.39% return.

DAPP.L

• 1D: -2.84%
• 1M: 5.89%
• YTD: 29.21%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 50.42%
• 3Y*: 56.66%
• 5Y*: -2.12%
• 10Y*: —

DFNS.L

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -4.34%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 6.74%
• 1Y: 16.14%
• 3Y*: 42.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DAPP.L VanEck Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF A USD Acc	29.21%	9.71%	29.53%	170.50%
DFNS.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	3.39%	68.21%	43.74%	25.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DAPP.L and DFNS.L 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.44

Return for Risk

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAPP.L

DAPP.L Risk / Return Rank: 24
DAPP.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
DAPP.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
DAPP.L Omega Ratio Rank: 26
DAPP.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
DAPP.L Martin Ratio Rank: 19

DFNS.L

DFNS.L Risk / Return Rank: 20
DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
DFNS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
DFNS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 20
DFNS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
DFNS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF A USD Acc (DAPP.L) and VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L). 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.

	DAPP.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	0.64	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	1.08	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.12	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	0.85	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.02	2.12	-0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAPP.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is higher than the DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAPP.L and DFNS.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DAPP.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	0.64	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.06	2.02	-2.08

Drawdowns

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAPP.L drawdown since its inception was -92.21%, which is greater than DFNS.L's maximum drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAPP.L and DFNS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAPP.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.21%	-18.72%	-73.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.39%	-18.72%	-27.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.14%	-18.72%	-39.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.98%	-15.44%	-18.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.08%	-3.40%	-55.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.87%	7.56%	+17.31%

Volatility

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF A USD Acc (DAPP.L) has a higher volatility of 17.16% compared to VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L) at 8.10%. This indicates that DAPP.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFNS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAPP.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.16%	8.10%	+9.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.49%	19.53%	+21.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.79%	24.86%	+33.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.09%	21.55%	+55.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	76.87%	21.55%	+55.32%

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAPP.L has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than DFNS.L's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAPP.L vs. DFNS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAPP.L nor DFNS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAPP.L and DFNS.L in my portfolio?

DAPP.L and DFNS.L 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 ETF is better, DAPP.L or DFNS.L?

On fees, DFNS.L is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAPP.L or DFNS.L?

DFNS.L is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for DAPP.L.

What is the main difference between DAPP.L and DFNS.L?

DAPP.L is categorized as Technology Equities, while DFNS.L is Aerospace & Defense. DAPP.L tracks MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD, while DFNS.L tracks MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for DAPP.L and 0.55% for DFNS.L.