GDLC vs. GBTC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDLC (Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF) is Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk 5 Index, while GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC)) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, GDLC returned 2.21%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for GBTC. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GDLC vs. GBTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC). 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 GBTC's -25.79% return.

GDLC

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

GBTC

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: -18.48%
• YTD: -25.79%
• 6M: -30.25%
• 1Y: -39.46%
• 3Y*: 52.23%
• 5Y*: 10.42%
• 10Y*: 50.46%

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

GDLC vs. GBTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-28.93%	0.45%	136.98%	353.26%	-84.21%	27.43%	233.86%	-5.00%
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC)	-25.79%	-7.65%	113.81%	317.61%	-75.80%	7.03%	290.72%	-11.65%

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and GBTC is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2019	0.76

Over the past year, GDLC and GBTC have become more correlated (0.97) than their long-term average of 0.76, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. GBTC — 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

GBTC

GBTC Risk / Return Rank: 8
GBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 10
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
GBTC Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. GBTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC). 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	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	-0.91	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.84	-1.26	+0.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	0.86	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.64	-0.80	+0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.09	-1.38	+0.29
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. GBTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDLC Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is comparable to the GBTC Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDLC and GBTC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDLC	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.70	-0.91	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.17	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.66	-0.36

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. GBTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, roughly equal to the maximum GBTC drawdown of -89.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and GBTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	GBTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-89.91%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	-49.55%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.91%	-49.55%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	-85.42%	-8.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-89.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.28%	-48.46%	-5.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.73%	-43.43%	-9.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.04%	28.63%	+2.41%

Volatility

GDLC vs. GBTC - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC) (GBTC) have volatilities of 9.78% and 9.43%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	GBTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.78%	9.43%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.66%	34.39%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.54%	43.66%	+4.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.43%	62.45%	+11.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	93.91%	82.21%	+11.70%

Dividends

GDLC vs. GBTC - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDLC nor GBTC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (BTC)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.61%
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDLC and GBTC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, GDLC and GBTC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GDLC or GBTC?

GDLC has higher volatility (9.78%) compared to GBTC (9.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDLC dropped -94.14% vs GBTC's -89.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.70 vs -0.91), 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.