GDLC vs. AETH

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH).

GDLC and AETH are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GDLC is a passively managed fund by Grayscale that tracks the performance of the CoinDesk 5 Index. It was launched on Feb 1, 2018. AETH is an actively managed fund by Bitwise. It was launched on Sep 29, 2023.

Performance

GDLC vs. AETH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GDLC vs. AETH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-24.52%	0.45%	136.98%	96.16%
AETH Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF	-5.53%	-0.11%	31.76%	37.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDLC achieves a -24.52% return, which is significantly lower than AETH's -5.53% return.

GDLC

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: -24.52%
• 6M: -44.20%
• 1Y: -10.19%
• 3Y*: 65.34%
• 5Y*: -3.20%
• 10Y*: —

AETH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -2.72%
• YTD: -5.53%
• 6M: -26.96%
• 1Y: 27.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. AETH - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDLC has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than AETH's 0.90% expense ratio.

AETH

Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF

GDLC

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. AETH — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDLC

GDLC Risk / Return Rank: 10
GDLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
GDLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GDLC Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GDLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
GDLC Martin Ratio Rank: 9

AETH

AETH Risk / Return Rank: 35
AETH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
AETH Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
AETH Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AETH Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
AETH Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

GDLC vs. AETH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH). 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.

	GDLC	AETH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	0.55	-0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	1.25	-1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.18	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	0.60	-0.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	0.97	-1.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDLC vs. AETH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDLC Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the AETH Sharpe Ratio of 0.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDLC and AETH, 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

	GDLC	AETH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	0.55	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.43	-0.12

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and AETH is 0.64, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

GDLC vs. AETH - Dividend Comparison

GDLC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AETH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
AETH Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF	2.55%	2.41%	14.73%	6.64%

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. AETH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, which is greater than AETH's maximum drawdown of -47.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and AETH.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	AETH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-47.78%	-46.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	-41.40%	-11.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.45%	-41.20%	-10.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.90%	-23.48%	-29.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.86%	25.68%	-0.82%

Volatility

GDLC vs. AETH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) is 13.67%, while Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH) has a volatility of 18.87%. This indicates that GDLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AETH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	AETH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.67%	18.87%	-5.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.43%	28.66%	+11.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.42%	51.05%	-0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.87%	56.19%	+21.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.02%	56.19%	+38.83%