ETHE vs. VTI
ETHE (Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETHE is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Ether Price Index , while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ETHE returned -11.18%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for VTI. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ETHE charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
ETHE vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ETHE achieves a -43.52% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.05% return.
ETHE
- 1D
- 6.90%
- 1M
- -27.33%
- YTD
- -43.52%
- 6M
- -46.57%
- 1Y
- -33.22%
- 3Y*
- 20.84%
- 5Y*
- -11.18%
- 10Y*
- —
VTI
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 9.05%
- 6M
- 8.94%
- 1Y
- 24.96%
- 3Y*
- 21.05%
- 5Y*
- 12.25%
- 10Y*
- 14.84%
ETHE vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ETHE Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF | -43.52% | -13.03% | 44.14% | 308.40% | -85.29% | 108.77% | 441.75% | -57.08% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.05% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 12.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between ETHE and VTI is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2019 | 0.38 |
The correlation between ETHE and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ETHE vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
ETHE
VTI
ETHE vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.96 | 1.36 | -0.40 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.49 | 2.81 | -3.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.86 | 12.85 | -13.71 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ETHE | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.48 | 2.02 | -2.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.14 | 0.71 | -0.84 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.81 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.06 | 0.50 | -0.45 |
Drawdowns
ETHE vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ETHE drawdown since its inception was -96.26%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHE and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ETHE | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -96.26% | -55.45% | -40.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -67.77% | -8.92% | -58.85% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -67.77% | -19.30% | -48.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -89.85% | -25.36% | -64.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.00% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -78.64% | -2.64% | -76.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -72.24% | -8.02% | -64.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 38.65% | 1.95% | +36.70% |
Volatility
ETHE vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHE) has a higher volatility of 16.62% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 3.88%. This indicates that ETHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ETHE | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.62% | 3.88% | +12.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 46.92% | 9.55% | +37.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 69.50% | 12.44% | +57.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 82.39% | 17.44% | +64.95% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 191.74% | 18.33% | +173.41% |
ETHE vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
ETHE has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
ETHE vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
ETHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ETHE Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF | 1.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ETHE and VTI 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.
ETHE has higher volatility (16.62%) compared to VTI (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHE dropped -96.26% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 12.25% vs -11.18% for ETHE. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 12.25% return vs -11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for ETHE.
ETHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.
ETHE is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. ETHE tracks CoinDesk Ether Price Index , while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 2.50% for ETHE and 0.03% for VTI.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs -0.48), 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.
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