ETHA vs. BITC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ETHA (iShares Ethereum Trust ETF) and BITC (Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds. ETHA is passively managed, while BITC is actively managed. Over the past year, ETHA returned -31.79% vs -15.09% for BITC. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ETHA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for BITC.

Performance

ETHA vs. BITC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) and Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETHA achieves a -39.46% return, which is significantly lower than BITC's 6.98% return.

ETHA

• 1D: -5.56%
• 1M: -23.58%
• YTD: -39.46%
• 6M: -42.75%
• 1Y: -31.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BITC

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: -4.31%
• YTD: 6.98%
• 6M: -1.22%
• 1Y: -15.09%
• 3Y*: 36.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ETHA vs. BITC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHA iShares Ethereum Trust ETF	-39.46%	-11.31%	-3.62%
BITC Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF	6.98%	-20.46%	38.35%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHA and BITC is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2024	0.55

The correlation between ETHA and BITC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETHA vs. BITC — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHA

ETHA Risk / Return Rank: 5
ETHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ETHA Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BITC

BITC Risk / Return Rank: 4
BITC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BITC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
BITC Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

ETHA vs. BITC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) and Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC). 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.

	ETHA	BITC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.47	-0.59	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.31	-0.71	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	0.90	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.51	-0.57	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.84	-0.82	-0.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETHA vs. BITC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHA Sharpe Ratio is -0.47, which is comparable to the BITC Sharpe Ratio of -0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHA and BITC, 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

	ETHA	BITC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.47	-0.59	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.41	0.68	-1.09

Drawdowns

ETHA vs. BITC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHA drawdown since its inception was -64.02%, which is greater than BITC's maximum drawdown of -38.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHA and BITC.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHA	BITC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.02%	-38.51%	-25.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-62.89%	-26.51%	-36.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-38.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.89%	-26.48%	-36.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.65%	-16.37%	-16.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.73%	18.37%	+19.36%

Volatility

ETHA vs. BITC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) has a higher volatility of 10.15% compared to Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC) at 6.39%. This indicates that ETHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BITC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHA	BITC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.15%	6.39%	+3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.25%	19.98%	+26.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.61%	25.54%	+43.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.53%	46.65%	+25.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.53%	46.65%	+25.88%

ETHA vs. BITC - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than BITC's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHA vs. BITC - Dividend Comparison

ETHA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BITC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.14%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BITC Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF	3.14%	3.36%	42.68%	5.82%
ETHA iShares Ethereum Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHA and BITC in my portfolio?

ETHA and BITC have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHA or BITC?

ETHA has higher volatility (10.15%) compared to BITC (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHA dropped -64.02% vs BITC's -38.51%.

Which ETF is better, ETHA or BITC?

On 1-year performance, BITC leads with -15.09% vs -31.79% for ETHA. On fees, ETHA is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BITC has been the lower-risk option at 6.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHA or BITC?

Over the 1-year period, BITC has performed better with a -15.09% return vs -31.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHA or BITC?

ETHA is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for BITC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETHA or BITC?

BITC has the higher dividend yield at 3.14%, compared with 0.00% for ETHA.

What is the main difference between ETHA and BITC?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Bitwise. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for ETHA and 0.88% for BITC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.47 vs -0.59), 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.