GBTC vs. IBIT
GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds - GBTC tracks the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index while IBIT tracks the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GBTC returned -41.68% vs -41.01% for IBIT. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GBTC charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.
Performance
GBTC vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GBTC having a -31.54% return and IBIT slightly higher at -31.24%.
GBTC
- 1D
- -5.15%
- 1M
- -26.07%
- YTD
- -31.54%
- 6M
- -33.05%
- 1Y
- -41.68%
- 3Y*
- 47.89%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- 48.34%
IBIT
- 1D
- -5.22%
- 1M
- -26.09%
- YTD
- -31.24%
- 6M
- -32.65%
- 1Y
- -41.01%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GBTC vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF | -31.54% | -7.65% | 81.91% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -31.24% | -6.41% | 99.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between GBTC and IBIT is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024 | 1.00 |
The correlation between GBTC and IBIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GBTC vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank
GBTC
IBIT
GBTC vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) 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.
| GBTC | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.85 | 0.85 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.80 | -0.79 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.44 | -1.43 | -0.01 |
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
| GBTC | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.95 | -0.94 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.64 | 0.22 | +0.42 |
Drawdowns
GBTC vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GBTC drawdown since its inception was -89.91%, which is greater than IBIT's maximum drawdown of -52.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBTC and IBIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GBTC | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.91% | -52.11% | -37.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -52.45% | -52.11% | -0.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -52.45% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -85.42% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -89.91% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -52.45% | -52.11% | -0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.44% | -16.13% | -27.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 28.99% | 28.80% | +0.19% |
Volatility
GBTC vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) have volatilities of 9.88% and 9.97%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| GBTC | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.88% | 9.97% | -0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.14% | 34.18% | -0.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.96% | 44.04% | -0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 62.45% | 50.26% | +12.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 82.20% | 50.26% | +31.94% |
GBTC vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
GBTC has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
GBTC vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison
Neither GBTC nor IBIT has paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 5.61% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, GBTC and IBIT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IBIT has higher volatility (9.97%) compared to GBTC (9.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBTC dropped -89.91% vs IBIT's -52.11%.
On 1-year performance, IBIT leads with -41.01% vs -41.68% for GBTC. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IBIT has performed better with a -41.01% return vs -41.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for GBTC.
GBTC and IBIT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GBTC tracks CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for GBTC and 0.25% for IBIT.
IBIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.94 vs -0.95), 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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