GBTC vs. SVARX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) and SVARX (Spectrum Low Volatility Fund) are both funds - GBTC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index, while SVARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Advisors Preferred. Over the past 10 years, GBTC returned 49.25%/yr vs 5.98%/yr for SVARX. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GBTC charges 1.50%/yr vs 2.34%/yr for SVARX.

Performance

GBTC vs. SVARX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBTC achieves a -28.07% return, which is significantly lower than SVARX's 1.10% return. Over the past 10 years, GBTC has outperformed SVARX with an annualized return of 49.25%, while SVARX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.98% annualized return.

GBTC

• 1D: 5.06%
• 1M: -21.09%
• YTD: -28.07%
• 6M: -30.74%
• 1Y: -40.20%
• 3Y*: 53.71%
• 5Y*: 10.31%
• 10Y*: 49.25%

SVARX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 5.78%
• 3Y*: 6.73%
• 5Y*: 3.17%
• 10Y*: 5.98%

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

GBTC vs. SVARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-28.07%	-7.65%	113.81%	317.61%	-75.80%	7.03%	290.72%	106.56%	-82.10%	1,787.72%
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	1.10%	6.22%	2.60%	9.67%	-4.35%	4.10%	19.50%	9.42%	-0.99%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between GBTC and SVARX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2015	0.10

Return for Risk

GBTC vs. SVARX — 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: 2
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SVARX

SVARX Risk / Return Rank: 46
SVARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SVARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SVARX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SVARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SVARX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. SVARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) and Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX). 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	SVARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.91	2.09	-3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.28	2.78	-4.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.44	-0.58
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	2.22	-2.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.38	5.20	-6.58
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. SVARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBTC Sharpe Ratio is -0.91, which is lower than the SVARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBTC and SVARX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GBTC	SVARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.91	2.09	-3.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	1.03	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	1.63	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	1.69	-1.04

Drawdowns

GBTC vs. SVARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBTC drawdown since its inception was -89.91%, which is greater than SVARX's maximum drawdown of -6.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBTC and SVARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBTC	SVARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.91%	-6.48%	-83.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.45%	-2.55%	-49.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.45%	-2.55%	-49.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.42%	-6.48%	-78.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.91%	-6.48%	-83.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.05%	-1.69%	-48.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.44%	-1.22%	-42.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.16%	1.09%	+28.07%

Volatility

GBTC vs. SVARX - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) has a higher volatility of 11.75% compared to Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX) at 0.79%. This indicates that GBTC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBTC	SVARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.75%	0.79%	+10.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.55%	2.21%	+32.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.19%	2.71%	+41.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.40%	3.10%	+59.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.22%	3.68%	+78.54%

GBTC vs. SVARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBTC has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is lower than SVARX's 2.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBTC vs. SVARX - Dividend Comparison

GBTC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SVARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.88%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	5.88%	5.95%	9.35%	3.35%	0.00%	5.85%	0.71%	4.91%	2.41%	6.90%	9.07%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBTC and SVARX in my portfolio?

GBTC and SVARX have a correlation of 0.16, 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 SVARX?

GBTC has higher volatility (11.75%) compared to SVARX (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBTC dropped -89.91% vs SVARX's -6.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.91), 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.