ETHV vs. LTCN

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

ETHV (VanEck Ethereum ETF) and LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) are both Cryptocurrency funds - ETHV tracks the MarketVector Ethereum Benchmark Rate while LTCN tracks the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ETHV returned -36.10% vs -54.95% for LTCN. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ETHV charges 0.20%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for LTCN.

Performance

ETHV vs. LTCN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ETHV having a -47.61% return and LTCN slightly lower at -48.59%.

ETHV

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -24.79%
• YTD: -47.61%
• 6M: -47.01%
• 1Y: -36.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LTCN

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -21.36%
• YTD: -48.59%
• 6M: -49.66%
• 1Y: -54.95%
• 3Y*: -11.17%
• 5Y*: -49.53%
• 10Y*: —

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

ETHV vs. LTCN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHV VanEck Ethereum ETF	-47.61%	-11.02%	-5.50%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-48.59%	-54.37%	-46.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHV and LTCN is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2024	0.66

The correlation between ETHV and LTCN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETHV vs. LTCN — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHV

ETHV Risk / Return Rank: 5
ETHV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETHV Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
ETHV Omega Ratio Rank: 6
ETHV Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ETHV 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: 4

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.

ETHV vs. LTCN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) 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.

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.

	ETHV	LTCN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	-0.79	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.44	-1.13	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	0.87	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	-0.75	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.88	-1.19	+0.30

ETHV vs. LTCN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHV Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is higher than the LTCN Sharpe Ratio of -0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHV 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.

Drawdowns

ETHV vs. LTCN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHV drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, smaller than the maximum LTCN drawdown of -99.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHV and LTCN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHV	LTCN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.88%	-99.58%	+31.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.88%	-72.99%	+5.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-93.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-67.88%	-99.40%	+31.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.86%	-89.67%	+55.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	40.85%	46.26%	-5.41%

Volatility

ETHV vs. LTCN - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) has a higher volatility of 19.83% compared to Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) at 16.44%. This indicates that ETHV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTCN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHV	LTCN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.83%	16.44%	+3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.42%	41.27%	+5.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.91%	70.19%	-1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.34%	104.87%	-32.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.34%	141.51%	-69.17%

ETHV vs. LTCN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than LTCN's 2.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHV vs. LTCN - Dividend Comparison

Neither ETHV nor LTCN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHV and LTCN in my portfolio?

ETHV and LTCN have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHV or LTCN?

ETHV has higher volatility (19.83%) compared to LTCN (16.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHV dropped -67.88% vs LTCN's -99.58%.

Which ETF is better, ETHV or LTCN?

On 1-year performance, ETHV leads with -36.10% vs -54.95% for LTCN. On fees, ETHV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, LTCN has been the lower-risk option at 16.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHV or LTCN?

Over the 1-year period, ETHV has performed better with a -36.10% return vs -54.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHV or LTCN?

ETHV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.

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

ETHV and LTCN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ETHV and LTCN?

ETHV tracks MarketVector Ethereum Benchmark Rate, while LTCN tracks CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Grayscale. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for ETHV and 2.50% for LTCN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ETHV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.53 vs -0.79), 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.