GDLC vs. ETHV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV).

GDLC and ETHV 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. ETHV is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MarketVector Ethereum Benchmark Rate. It was launched on Jun 25, 2024. Both GDLC and ETHV are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

GDLC vs. ETHV - Performance Comparison

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

GDLC vs. ETHV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-24.52%	0.45%	75.89%
ETHV VanEck Ethereum ETF	-29.44%	-11.02%	-3.67%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDLC achieves a -24.52% return, which is significantly higher than ETHV's -29.44% return.

GDLC

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

ETHV

• 1D: 3.62%
• 1M: 9.00%
• YTD: -29.44%
• 6M: -49.70%
• 1Y: 14.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. ETHV - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDLC has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than ETHV's 0.20% expense ratio.

GDLC

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF

ETHV

VanEck Ethereum ETF

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. ETHV — 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

ETHV

ETHV Risk / Return Rank: 20
ETHV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
ETHV Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ETHV Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ETHV Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
ETHV Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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. ETHV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV). 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	ETHV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	0.19	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	0.85	-0.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.10	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	0.19	-0.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	0.39	-0.81
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. ETHV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDLC Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the ETHV Sharpe Ratio of 0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDLC and ETHV, 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	ETHV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	0.19	-0.40
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	-0.35	+0.66

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and ETHV is 0.82, 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. ETHV - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDLC nor ETHV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. ETHV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, which is greater than ETHV's maximum drawdown of -64.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and ETHV.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	ETHV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-64.02%	-30.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	-61.66%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.45%	-56.75%	+5.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.90%	-30.39%	-22.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.86%	30.40%	-5.54%

Volatility

GDLC vs. ETHV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) is 13.67%, while VanEck Ethereum ETF (ETHV) has a volatility of 19.28%. This indicates that GDLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ETHV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	ETHV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.67%	19.28%	-5.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.43%	53.50%	-13.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.42%	75.80%	-25.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.87%	74.88%	+2.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.02%	74.88%	+20.14%