GBTC vs. VFINX

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) and VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - GBTC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index, while VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GBTC returned 46.15%/yr vs 15.00%/yr for VFINX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GBTC charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFINX.

Performance

GBTC vs. VFINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBTC achieves a -27.85% return, which is significantly lower than VFINX's 6.66% return. Over the past 10 years, GBTC has outperformed VFINX with an annualized return of 46.15%, while VFINX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.00% annualized return.

GBTC

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: -21.45%
• YTD: -27.85%
• 6M: -31.30%
• 1Y: -42.50%
• 3Y*: 55.49%
• 5Y*: 9.89%
• 10Y*: 46.15%

VFINX

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: -1.70%
• YTD: 6.66%
• 6M: 5.86%
• 1Y: 21.97%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 12.79%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

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

GBTC vs. VFINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-27.85%	-7.65%	113.81%	317.61%	-75.80%	7.03%	290.72%	106.56%	-82.10%	1,787.72%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	6.66%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%

Correlation

The correlation between GBTC and VFINX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2015	0.25

Over the past year, GBTC and VFINX have become more correlated (0.47) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GBTC vs. VFINX — 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: 2
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VFINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). 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	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.97	1.77	-2.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.40	2.42	-3.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.32	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.81	2.44	-3.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.43	11.11	-12.55

GBTC vs. VFINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBTC Sharpe Ratio is -0.97, which is lower than the VFINX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBTC and VFINX, 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. VFINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBTC drawdown since its inception was -89.91%, which is greater than VFINX's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBTC and VFINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBTC	VFINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.91%	-55.25%	-34.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.45%	-8.92%	-43.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.45%	-18.76%	-33.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.42%	-24.59%	-60.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.91%	-33.83%	-56.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-49.89%	-4.46%	-45.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.43%	-8.28%	-35.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.68%	1.95%	+27.73%

Volatility

GBTC vs. VFINX - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) has a higher volatility of 11.92% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) at 4.04%. This indicates that GBTC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBTC	VFINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.92%	4.04%	+7.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.41%	9.56%	+24.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.01%	12.26%	+31.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	62.27%	16.96%	+45.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.18%	18.09%	+64.09%

GBTC vs. VFINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBTC has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VFINX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBTC vs. VFINX - Dividend Comparison

GBTC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

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%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.97%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBTC and VFINX in my portfolio?

GBTC and VFINX have a correlation of 0.47, 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 VFINX?

GBTC has higher volatility (11.92%) compared to VFINX (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBTC dropped -89.91% vs VFINX's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.97), 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.