ETH vs. GBTC

Last updated Aug 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 -45.97% vs -44.39% for GBTC. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. 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 -36.49% return, which is significantly lower than GBTC's -27.69% return.

ETH

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 10.14%
• 6M: -18.78%
• YTD: -36.49%
• 1Y: -45.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -26.19%

GBTC

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 3.76%
• 6M: -18.73%
• YTD: -27.69%
• 1Y: -44.39%
• 3Y*: 37.01%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 49.81%
• ALL TIME*: 54.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ETH Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF	$31.27M	$33.28M	$46.00M
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	$78.35M	$76.63M	$100.73M

ETH vs. GBTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETH Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF	-36.49%	-10.89%	-4.58%
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-27.69%	-7.65%	22.23%

Correlation

The correlation between ETH and GBTC is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2024	0.82

The correlation between ETH and GBTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETH vs. GBTC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ETH

ETH Risk / Return Rank: 4
ETH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ETH Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ETH Omega Ratio Rank: 4
ETH Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ETH Martin Ratio Rank: 4

GBTC

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

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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.

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.

	ETH	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	-1.01	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.82	-1.48	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	0.84	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.68	-0.83	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.02	-1.27	+0.25

ETH vs. GBTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETH Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is higher than the GBTC Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. 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.

Drawdowns

ETH vs. GBTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETH drawdown since its inception was -67.52%, 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	-67.52%	-89.91%	+22.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.52%	-53.75%	-13.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-53.75%	—
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	-60.89%	-49.78%	-11.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.09%	-43.51%	+8.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	45.23%	35.06%	+10.17%

Volatility

ETH vs. GBTC - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) has a higher volatility of 12.23% compared to Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) at 8.85%. This indicates that ETH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBTC based on this measure. 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	12.23%	8.85%	+3.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	45.64%	33.72%	+11.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	67.03%	44.38%	+22.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	71.15%	60.56%	+10.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.15%	81.19%	-10.04%

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?

With a correlation of 0.91, ETH and GBTC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ETH or GBTC?

ETH has higher volatility (12.23%) compared to GBTC (8.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETH dropped -67.52% vs GBTC's -89.91%.

Which ETF is better, ETH or GBTC?

On 1-year performance, GBTC leads with -44.39% vs -45.97% for ETH. On fees, ETH is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, GBTC has been the lower-risk option at 8.85%. 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, GBTC has performed better with a -44.39% return vs -45.97%. 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 (-0.69 vs -1.01), 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.