GDLC vs. CBXO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDLC (Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF) and CBXO (Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October) are both exchange-traded funds - GDLC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk 5 Index, while CBXO is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Calamos. GDLC is passively managed, while CBXO is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GDLC charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for CBXO.

Performance

GDLC vs. CBXO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October (CBXO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDLC achieves a -28.93% return, which is significantly lower than CBXO's -3.67% return.

GDLC

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -18.37%
• YTD: -28.93%
• 6M: -33.67%
• 1Y: -33.81%
• 3Y*: 64.48%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: —

CBXO

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: -3.67%
• 6M: -5.18%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. CBXO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-28.93%	-30.29%
CBXO Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October	-3.67%	-8.02%

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and CBXO is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2025	0.88

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. CBXO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDLC

GDLC Risk / Return Rank: 3
GDLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
GDLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
GDLC Omega Ratio Rank: 3
GDLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
GDLC Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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. CBXO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October (CBXO). 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	CBXO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.84	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.64	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.09	—	—
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	CBXO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	-2.36	+2.65

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. CBXO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, which is greater than CBXO's maximum drawdown of -11.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and CBXO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	CBXO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-11.40%	-82.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.28%	-11.40%	-42.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.73%	-8.46%	-44.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.04%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	CBXO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.78%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.66%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.54%	7.23%	+41.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.43%	7.23%	+67.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	93.91%	7.23%	+86.68%

GDLC vs. CBXO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDLC has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than CBXO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDLC vs. CBXO - Dividend Comparison

GDLC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CBXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%.

Position	TTM	2025
CBXO Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - October	0.53%	0.51%
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDLC and CBXO in my portfolio?

GDLC and CBXO have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GDLC or CBXO?

On fees, GDLC is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDLC or CBXO?

GDLC is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CBXO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDLC or CBXO?

CBXO has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.00% for GDLC.

What is the main difference between GDLC and CBXO?

GDLC is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while CBXO is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Calamos. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for GDLC and 0.69% for CBXO.