DFII vs. ARKD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFII (FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF) and ARKD (ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFII charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for ARKD.

Performance

DFII vs. ARKD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) and ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DFII

• 1D: -6.02%
• 1M: -13.41%
• YTD: -22.74%
• 6M: -24.59%
• 1Y: -34.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ARKD

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFII vs. ARKD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DFII FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF	-24.17%
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	-0.61%

Correlation

The correlation between DFII and ARKD is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2026	0.63

Return for Risk

DFII vs. ARKD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFII

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

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.

DFII vs. ARKD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) and ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD). 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.

	DFII	ARKD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.84	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.10	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.87	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.72	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFII	ARKD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.39	-0.08	-0.32

Drawdowns

DFII vs. ARKD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFII drawdown since its inception was -48.07%, which is greater than ARKD's maximum drawdown of -14.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFII and ARKD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFII	ARKD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.07%	-14.03%	-34.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-44.48%	-3.12%	-41.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.91%	-6.23%	-12.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.89%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DFII	ARKD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.20%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.63%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.26%	19.78%	+21.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.08%	19.78%	+21.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.08%	19.78%	+21.30%

DFII vs. ARKD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFII has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKD's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFII vs. ARKD - Dividend Comparison

DFII's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 27.13%, while ARKD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	0.00%	0.00%
DFII FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF	27.13%	15.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFII and ARKD in my portfolio?

DFII and ARKD have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DFII or ARKD?

On fees, DFII is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFII or ARKD?

DFII is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for ARKD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFII or ARKD?

DFII has the higher dividend yield at 27.13%, compared with 0.00% for ARKD.

What is the main difference between DFII and ARKD?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DFII and 0.90% for ARKD.