GBTC vs. MARA

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) is Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index, while MARA (MARA Holdings, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, GBTC returned 45.83%/yr vs -13.02%/yr for MARA. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GBTC vs. MARA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBTC achieves a -26.36% return, which is significantly lower than MARA's 36.86% return. Over the past 10 years, GBTC has outperformed MARA with an annualized return of 45.83%, while MARA has yielded a comparatively lower -13.02% annualized return.

GBTC

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -2.54%
• 6M: -34.03%
• YTD: -26.36%
• 1Y: -45.06%
• 3Y*: 36.60%
• 5Y*: 13.95%
• 10Y*: 45.83%

MARA

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: -16.05%
• 6M: 10.62%
• YTD: 36.86%
• 1Y: -34.49%
• 3Y*: -12.06%
• 5Y*: -12.03%
• 10Y*: -13.02%

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

GBTC vs. MARA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-26.36%	-7.65%	113.81%	317.61%	-75.80%	7.03%	290.72%	106.56%	-82.10%	1,787.72%
MARA MARA Holdings, Inc.	36.86%	-46.45%	-28.61%	586.84%	-89.59%	214.75%	1,084.48%	-39.16%	-91.17%	-40.41%

Correlation

The correlation between GBTC and MARA is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2015	0.50

The correlation between GBTC and MARA shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (all time) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Total Revenue (TTM) GBTC : $0.00 MARA : $867.82M
Gross Profit (TTM) GBTC : $0.00 MARA : $164.95M
EBITDA (TTM) GBTC : $4.58B MARA : $373.68M

Return for Risk

GBTC vs. MARA — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBTC

GBTC Risk / Return Rank: 2
GBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 2

MARA

MARA Risk / Return Rank: 29
MARA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
MARA Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
MARA Omega Ratio Rank: 30
MARA Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
MARA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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. MARA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) and MARA Holdings, Inc. (MARA). 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.

	GBTC	MARA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.02	-0.44	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.52	-0.21	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	0.98	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.84	-0.49	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	-0.78	-0.58

GBTC vs. MARA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBTC Sharpe Ratio is -1.02, which is lower than the MARA Sharpe Ratio of -0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBTC and MARA, 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

GBTC vs. MARA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBTC drawdown since its inception was -89.91%, smaller than the maximum MARA drawdown of -99.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBTC and MARA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBTC	MARA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.91%	-99.74%	+9.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.75%	-70.53%	+16.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-53.75%	-78.34%	+24.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.42%	-95.87%	+10.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.91%	-99.20%	+9.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.86%	-92.06%	+43.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.49%	-78.08%	+34.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.24%	44.18%	-10.94%

Volatility

GBTC vs. MARA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) is 11.69%, while MARA Holdings, Inc. (MARA) has a volatility of 19.80%. This indicates that GBTC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MARA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBTC	MARA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.69%	19.80%	-8.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.91%	60.57%	-25.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.36%	79.34%	-34.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	61.84%	106.01%	-44.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.44%	144.21%	-62.77%

Dividends

GBTC vs. MARA - Dividend Comparison

Neither GBTC nor MARA 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%
MARA MARA Holdings, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBTC and MARA in my portfolio?

GBTC and MARA have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GBTC or MARA?

MARA has higher volatility (19.80%) compared to GBTC (11.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBTC dropped -89.91% vs MARA's -99.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MARA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.44 vs -1.02), 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.