ETH vs. GBTC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ETH (Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF) and GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds from Grayscale. ETH is actively managed, while GBTC is passively managed. Over the past year, ETH returned -30.84% vs -39.46% for GBTC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ETH charges 0.15%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for GBTC.

Performance

ETH vs. GBTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETH achieves a -38.95% return, which is significantly lower than GBTC's -25.79% return.

ETH

• 1D: -5.52%
• 1M: -23.42%
• YTD: -38.95%
• 6M: -42.17%
• 1Y: -30.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GBTC

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: -18.48%
• YTD: -25.79%
• 6M: -30.25%
• 1Y: -39.46%
• 3Y*: 52.23%
• 5Y*: 10.42%
• 10Y*: 50.46%

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

ETH vs. GBTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETH Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF	-38.95%	-10.89%	-3.70%
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-25.79%	-7.65%	27.40%

Correlation

The correlation between ETH and GBTC is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2024	0.82

The correlation between ETH and GBTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETH vs. GBTC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETH

ETH Risk / Return Rank: 5
ETH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
ETH Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ETH Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ETH Martin Ratio Rank: 5

GBTC

GBTC Risk / Return Rank: 8
GBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 10
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

ETH vs. GBTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC). 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.

	ETH	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.45	-0.91	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.29	-1.26	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	0.86	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	-0.80	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.82	-1.38	+0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETH vs. GBTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETH Sharpe Ratio is -0.45, which is higher than the GBTC Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETH and GBTC, 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

	ETH	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.45	-0.91	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.17	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.41	0.66	-1.07

Drawdowns

ETH vs. GBTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETH drawdown since its inception was -64.01%, smaller than the maximum GBTC drawdown of -89.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETH and GBTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETH	GBTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.01%	-89.91%	+25.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-62.40%	-49.55%	-12.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-49.55%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-85.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-89.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.40%	-48.46%	-13.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.58%	-43.43%	+10.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.50%	28.63%	+8.87%

Volatility

ETH vs. GBTC - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) have volatilities of 9.90% and 9.43%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETH	GBTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.90%	9.43%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.02%	34.39%	+11.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.34%	43.66%	+24.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.26%	62.45%	+9.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.26%	82.21%	-9.95%

ETH vs. GBTC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETH has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than GBTC's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETH vs. GBTC - Dividend Comparison

Neither ETH nor GBTC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ETH Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETH and GBTC in my portfolio?

ETH and GBTC have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETH or GBTC?

ETH has higher volatility (9.90%) compared to GBTC (9.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETH dropped -64.01% vs GBTC's -89.91%.

Which ETF is better, ETH or GBTC?

On 1-year performance, ETH leads with -30.84% vs -39.46% for GBTC. On fees, ETH is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, GBTC has been the lower-risk option at 9.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETH or GBTC?

Over the 1-year period, ETH has performed better with a -30.84% return vs -39.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETH or GBTC?

ETH is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for GBTC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETH or GBTC?

ETH and GBTC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ETH and GBTC?

Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ETH and 1.50% for GBTC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.45 vs -0.91), 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.