ETHE vs. LTCN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ETHE (Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF) and LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) are both Cryptocurrency funds from Grayscale - ETHE tracks the CoinDesk Ether Price Index while LTCN tracks the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ETHE returned -11.60%/yr vs -59.05%/yr for LTCN. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 2.50% expense ratio.

Performance

ETHE vs. LTCN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETHE achieves a -39.63% return, which is significantly higher than LTCN's -42.39% return.

ETHE

• 1D: -5.64%
• 1M: -23.64%
• YTD: -39.63%
• 6M: -42.89%
• 1Y: -32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: -11.60%
• 10Y*: —

LTCN

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: -18.21%
• YTD: -42.39%
• 6M: -51.98%
• 1Y: -51.98%
• 3Y*: -8.44%
• 5Y*: -59.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

ETHE vs. LTCN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ETHE Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF	-39.63%	-13.03%	44.14%	308.40%	-85.29%	108.77%	72.97%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-42.39%	-54.37%	-18.79%	650.00%	-77.17%	-96.84%	1,165.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHE and LTCN is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2020	0.56

The correlation between ETHE and LTCN shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ETHE vs. LTCN — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHE

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

LTCN

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

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.

ETHE vs. LTCN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) and Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN). 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.

	ETHE	LTCN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.48	-0.75	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.34	-1.02	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	0.89	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	-0.75	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.86	-1.21	+0.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETHE vs. LTCN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHE Sharpe Ratio is -0.48, which is higher than the LTCN Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHE and LTCN, 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

	ETHE	LTCN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.48	-0.75	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	-0.56	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	-0.20	+0.26

Drawdowns

ETHE vs. LTCN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHE drawdown since its inception was -96.26%, roughly equal to the maximum LTCN drawdown of -99.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHE and LTCN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHE	LTCN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.26%	-99.58%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-63.16%	-69.43%	+6.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-66.12%	-92.85%	+26.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-89.85%	-99.28%	+9.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-77.17%	-99.33%	+22.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-72.23%	-89.61%	+17.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.98%	42.95%	-4.97%

Volatility

ETHE vs. LTCN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) is 9.87%, while Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) has a volatility of 12.48%. This indicates that ETHE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTCN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHE	LTCN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.87%	12.48%	-2.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.00%	41.84%	+4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.31%	69.70%	-1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	82.26%	106.73%	-24.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	191.84%	141.42%	+50.42%

ETHE vs. LTCN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ETHE and LTCN have an expense ratio of 2.50%.

Dividends

ETHE vs. LTCN - Dividend Comparison

ETHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, while LTCN has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
ETHE Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF	1.35%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHE and LTCN in my portfolio?

ETHE and LTCN have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHE or LTCN?

LTCN has higher volatility (12.48%) compared to ETHE (9.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHE dropped -96.26% vs LTCN's -99.58%.

Which ETF is better, ETHE or LTCN?

On 5-year performance, ETHE leads with -11.60% vs -59.05% for LTCN. Both ETFs have the same 2.50% expense ratio. On volatility, ETHE has been the lower-risk option at 9.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHE or LTCN?

Over the 5-year period, ETHE has performed better with a -11.60% return vs -59.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHE or LTCN?

ETHE and LTCN have the same expense ratio: 2.50% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETHE or LTCN?

ETHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.00% for LTCN.

What is the main difference between ETHE and LTCN?

ETHE tracks CoinDesk Ether Price Index , while LTCN tracks CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.48 vs -0.75), 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.