ETHU vs. ZVOL

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

ETHU (Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF) and ZVOL (Volatility Premium Plus ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETHU is a Leveraged Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Volatility Shares, while ZVOL is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Mid Term Futures Inverse Daily Index. ETHU is actively managed, while ZVOL is passively managed. Over the past year, ETHU returned -79.51% vs 17.01% for ZVOL. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ETHU charges 2.67%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for ZVOL.

Performance

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETHU achieves a -70.69% return, which is significantly lower than ZVOL's 5.93% return.

ETHU

• 1D: 11.46%
• 1M: 22.71%
• 6M: -74.56%
• YTD: -70.69%
• 1Y: -79.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZVOL

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 6.61%
• 6M: 3.93%
• YTD: 5.93%
• 1Y: 17.01%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	-70.69%	-64.38%	-48.73%
ZVOL Volatility Premium Plus ETF	5.93%	-10.71%	-9.16%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHU and ZVOL is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.39

Return for Risk

ETHU vs. ZVOL — 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: 5
ETHU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ETHU Martin Ratio Rank: 4

ZVOL

ZVOL Risk / Return Rank: 29
ZVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
ZVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
ZVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 29
ZVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ZVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. ZVOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) and Volatility Premium Plus ETF (ZVOL). 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	ZVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	0.91	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.65	1.45	-2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.17	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.85	1.04	-1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.15	3.32	-4.47

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHU Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the ZVOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHU and ZVOL, 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. ZVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHU drawdown since its inception was -96.46%, which is greater than ZVOL's maximum drawdown of -37.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHU and ZVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHU	ZVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.46%	-37.25%	-59.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-93.99%	-16.46%	-77.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-37.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.93%	-15.62%	-79.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.62%	-13.58%	-57.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	69.07%	5.14%	+63.93%

Volatility

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Volatility Comparison

Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF (ETHU) has a higher volatility of 32.99% compared to Volatility Premium Plus ETF (ZVOL) at 4.80%. This indicates that ETHU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHU	ZVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.99%	4.80%	+28.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	96.63%	13.78%	+82.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	137.49%	18.78%	+118.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	142.44%	28.91%	+113.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	142.44%	28.91%	+113.53%

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHU has a 2.67% expense ratio, which is higher than ZVOL's 1.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHU vs. ZVOL - Dividend Comparison

ETHU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, less than ZVOL's 69.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ETHU Volatility Shares 2x Ether ETF	4.82%	2.31%	0.41%	0.00%
ZVOL Volatility Premium Plus ETF	69.62%	53.44%	30.68%	0.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHU and ZVOL in my portfolio?

ETHU and ZVOL have a correlation of 0.38, 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 ZVOL?

ETHU has higher volatility (32.99%) compared to ZVOL (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHU dropped -96.46% vs ZVOL's -37.25%.

Which ETF is better, ETHU or ZVOL?

On 1-year performance, ZVOL leads with 17.01% vs -79.51% for ETHU. On fees, ZVOL is cheaper at 1.35% per year. On volatility, ZVOL has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHU or ZVOL?

Over the 1-year period, ZVOL has performed better with a 17.01% return vs -79.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHU or ZVOL?

ZVOL is cheaper with a 1.35% expense ratio, compared with 2.67% for ETHU.

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

ZVOL has the higher dividend yield at 69.62%, compared with 4.82% for ETHU.

What is the main difference between ETHU and ZVOL?

ETHU is categorized as Leveraged Cryptocurrency, while ZVOL is Volatility. Their fees differ too: 2.67% for ETHU and 1.35% for ZVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZVOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs -0.58), 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.