ESPO vs. IBIT
ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ESPO returned -14.01% vs -39.67% for IBIT. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.
Performance
ESPO vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -15.10% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -27.41% return.
ESPO
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- -2.74%
- YTD
- -15.10%
- 6M
- -16.17%
- 1Y
- -14.01%
- 3Y*
- 16.96%
- 5Y*
- 5.49%
- 10Y*
- —
IBIT
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- -21.94%
- YTD
- -27.41%
- 6M
- -29.61%
- 1Y
- -39.67%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESPO vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -15.10% | 25.79% | 48.53% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -27.41% | -6.41% | 89.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESPO and IBIT is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024 | 0.37 |
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Return for Risk
ESPO vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank
ESPO
IBIT
ESPO vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) 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.
| ESPO | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.88 | 0.85 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.54 | -0.78 | +0.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.94 | -1.37 | +0.43 |
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Drawdowns
ESPO vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, roughly equal to the maximum IBIT drawdown of -52.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and IBIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESPO | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.99% | -52.11% | +1.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -27.81% | -52.11% | +24.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.81% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.33% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.19% | -49.45% | +22.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.06% | -16.53% | +1.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.95% | 29.64% | -13.69% |
Volatility
ESPO vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.42%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 12.07%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESPO | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.42% | 12.07% | -7.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.67% | 34.45% | -19.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.83% | 44.10% | -25.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.10% | 50.26% | -25.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 50.26% | -24.55% |
ESPO vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESPO vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison
ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.47% | 1.24% | 0.44% | 0.96% | 0.91% | 3.36% | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPO and IBIT have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBIT has higher volatility (12.07%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs IBIT's -52.11%.
On 1-year performance, ESPO leads with -14.01% vs -39.67% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ESPO has performed better with a -14.01% return vs -39.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.
ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.
ESPO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.25% for IBIT.
ESPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.80 vs -0.92), 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.
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