GBTC vs. ARKB

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB).

ARKB is a passively managed fund by ARK that tracks the performance of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. It was launched on Jan 10, 2024.

Performance

GBTC vs. ARKB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GBTC vs. ARKB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC)	-22.40%	-7.65%	81.91%
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-22.11%	-6.59%	99.47%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GBTC having a -22.40% return and ARKB slightly higher at -22.11%.

GBTC

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: -22.40%
• 6M: -42.46%
• 1Y: -21.01%
• 3Y*: 48.01%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: 58.56%

ARKB

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -1.48%
• YTD: -22.11%
• 6M: -42.07%
• 1Y: -19.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

Return for Risk

GBTC vs. ARKB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBTC

GBTC Risk / Return Rank: 24
GBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 21
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 28

ARKB

ARKB Risk / Return Rank: 6
ARKB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ARKB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ARKB Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

GBTC vs. ARKB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). 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.

	GBTC	ARKB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.47	-0.45	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.41	-0.37	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	0.96	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.38	-0.35	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.80	-0.75	-0.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBTC vs. ARKB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBTC Sharpe Ratio is -0.47, which is comparable to the ARKB Sharpe Ratio of -0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBTC and ARKB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GBTC	ARKB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.47	-0.45	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.36	+0.31

Correlation

The correlation between GBTC and ARKB is 1.00, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

GBTC vs. ARKB - Dividend Comparison

Neither GBTC nor ARKB has paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.61%
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GBTC vs. ARKB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBTC drawdown since its inception was -89.91%, which is greater than ARKB's maximum drawdown of -49.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBTC and ARKB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBTC	ARKB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.91%	-49.30%	-40.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.55%	-49.30%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.10%	-45.76%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.48%	-14.16%	-29.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.39%	23.23%	+0.16%

Volatility

GBTC vs. ARKB - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) have volatilities of 12.99% and 12.92%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBTC	ARKB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.99%	12.92%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.80%	36.73%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.30%	45.14%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	64.19%	50.96%	+13.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.56%	50.96%	+31.60%