ETCO vs. VGUS

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

ETCO (Grayscale Ethereum Covered Call ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETCO is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Grayscale, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. ETCO is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. ETCO charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

ETCO vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Ethereum Covered Call ETF (ETCO) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETCO achieves a -35.06% return, which is significantly lower than VGUS's 1.86% return.

ETCO

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.48%
• 6M: -39.99%
• YTD: -35.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• 6M: 1.74%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ETCO vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ETCO Grayscale Ethereum Covered Call ETF	-35.06%	-26.08%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.86%	1.32%

Correlation

The correlation between ETCO and VGUS is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2025	-0.01

Return for Risk

ETCO vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETCO

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

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

ETCO vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Ethereum Covered Call ETF (ETCO) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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.

	ETCO	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	11.91	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	34.20	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	10.39	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	53.40	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	403.94	—

Drawdowns

ETCO vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETCO drawdown since its inception was -59.43%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETCO and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETCO	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.43%	-0.07%	-59.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.47%	0.00%	-55.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.32%	-0.00%	-37.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ETCO	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.06%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.51%	0.33%	+51.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.51%	0.33%	+51.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.51%	0.33%	+51.18%

ETCO vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETCO has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETCO vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

ETCO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 148.17%, more than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
ETCO Grayscale Ethereum Covered Call ETF	148.17%	42.29%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETCO and VGUS in my portfolio?

ETCO and VGUS have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ETCO or VGUS?

On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETCO or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for ETCO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETCO or VGUS?

ETCO has the higher dividend yield at 148.17%, compared with 3.61% for VGUS.

What is the main difference between ETCO and VGUS?

ETCO is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for ETCO and 0.07% for VGUS.