GDLC vs. ARKD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD).

GDLC and ARKD 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. ARKD is an actively managed fund by ARK. It was launched on Nov 14, 2023.

Performance

GDLC vs. ARKD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GDLC vs. ARKD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-26.85%
ARKD ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF	-9.22%

Returns By Period

GDLC

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

ARKD

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -3.93%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. ARKD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

ARKD

ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF

GDLC

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. ARKD — 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

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. ARKD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and ARK 21Shares Digital Asset and Blockchain Strategy ETF (ARKD). 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	ARKD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDLC	ARKD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	—	—
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	-1.61	+1.92

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and ARKD is 0.71, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

GDLC vs. ARKD - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDLC nor ARKD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. ARKD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, which is greater than ARKD's maximum drawdown of -14.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and ARKD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	ARKD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-14.03%	-80.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.45%	-11.51%	-39.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.90%	-6.67%	-46.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.86%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	ARKD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.67%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.43%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.42%	20.95%	+29.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.87%	20.95%	+56.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.02%	20.95%	+74.07%