ETHU vs. IBIT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ETHU (Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETHU is a Leveraged Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Volatility Shares, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. ETHU is actively managed, while IBIT is passively managed. Over the past year, ETHU returned -73.33% vs -39.82% for IBIT. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ETHU charges 2.67%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

ETHU vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETHU achieves a -76.57% return, which is significantly lower than IBIT's -28.88% return.

ETHU

• 1D: -8.34%
• 1M: -38.44%
• YTD: -76.57%
• 6M: -76.68%
• 1Y: -73.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -3.26%
• 1M: -17.81%
• YTD: -28.88%
• 6M: -28.88%
• 1Y: -39.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ETHU vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	-76.57%	-64.38%	-48.73%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-28.88%	-6.41%	34.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHU and IBIT is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.82

The correlation between ETHU and IBIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETHU vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHU

ETHU Risk / Return Rank: 4
ETHU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETHU Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ETHU Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ETHU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ETHU Martin Ratio Rank: 4

IBIT

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

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.

ETHU vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	ETHU	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	-0.90	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.37	-1.25	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	0.86	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	-0.77	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.12	-1.30	+0.18

ETHU vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHU Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHU and IBIT, 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

ETHU vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHU drawdown since its inception was -96.27%, which is greater than IBIT's maximum drawdown of -52.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHU and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHU	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.27%	-52.11%	-44.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-93.66%	-52.11%	-41.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.94%	-50.47%	-45.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.93%	-16.85%	-53.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	65.51%	30.58%	+34.93%

Volatility

ETHU vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) has a higher volatility of 39.76% compared to iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) at 13.18%. This indicates that ETHU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHU	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	39.76%	13.18%	+26.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	95.70%	34.64%	+61.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	138.92%	44.31%	+94.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	143.29%	50.22%	+93.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	143.29%	50.22%	+93.07%

ETHU vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHU has a 2.67% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHU vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

ETHU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.26%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	6.26%	2.31%	0.41%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHU and IBIT in my portfolio?

ETHU and IBIT have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHU or IBIT?

ETHU has higher volatility (39.76%) compared to IBIT (13.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHU dropped -96.27% vs IBIT's -52.11%.

Which ETF is better, ETHU or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, IBIT leads with -39.82% vs -73.33% for ETHU. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBIT has been the lower-risk option at 13.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHU or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, IBIT has performed better with a -39.82% return vs -73.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHU or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 2.67% for ETHU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETHU or IBIT?

ETHU has the higher dividend yield at 6.26%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between ETHU and IBIT?

ETHU is categorized as Leveraged Cryptocurrency, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. They also come from different issuers: Volatility Shares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 2.67% for ETHU and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETHU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.53 vs -0.90), 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.