GDLC vs. LTCN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDLC (Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF) and LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) are both Cryptocurrency funds from Grayscale - GDLC tracks the CoinDesk 5 Index while LTCN tracks the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GDLC returned 2.21%/yr vs -59.05%/yr for LTCN. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GDLC charges 0.59%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for LTCN.

Performance

GDLC vs. LTCN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN). 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 higher than LTCN's -42.39% return.

GDLC

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

LTCN

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: -18.21%
• YTD: -42.39%
• 6M: -51.98%
• 1Y: -51.98%
• 3Y*: -8.44%
• 5Y*: -59.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. LTCN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-28.93%	0.45%	136.98%	353.26%	-84.21%	27.43%	-31.30%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-42.39%	-54.37%	-18.79%	650.00%	-77.17%	-96.84%	1,165.22%

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and LTCN is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2020	0.53

Over the past year, GDLC and LTCN have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.53, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. LTCN — 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

LTCN

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

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. LTCN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN). 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	LTCN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	-0.75	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.84	-1.02	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	0.89	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.64	-0.75	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.09	-1.21	+0.12
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. LTCN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDLC Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is comparable to the LTCN Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDLC and LTCN, 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	LTCN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.70	-0.75	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	-0.56	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	-0.20	+0.50

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. LTCN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, smaller than the maximum LTCN drawdown of -99.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and LTCN.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	LTCN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-99.58%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.91%	-69.43%	+16.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.91%	-92.85%	+39.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	-99.28%	+5.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.28%	-99.33%	+45.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.73%	-89.61%	+36.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.04%	42.95%	-11.91%

Volatility

GDLC vs. LTCN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) is 9.78%, while Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) has a volatility of 12.48%. This indicates that GDLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTCN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	LTCN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.78%	12.48%	-2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.66%	41.84%	-5.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.54%	69.70%	-21.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.43%	106.73%	-32.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	93.91%	141.42%	-47.51%

GDLC vs. LTCN - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDLC has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than LTCN's 2.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDLC vs. LTCN - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDLC nor LTCN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDLC and LTCN in my portfolio?

GDLC and LTCN have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDLC or LTCN?

LTCN has higher volatility (12.48%) compared to GDLC (9.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDLC dropped -94.14% vs LTCN's -99.58%.

Which ETF is better, GDLC or LTCN?

On 5-year performance, GDLC leads with 2.21% vs -59.05% for LTCN. On fees, GDLC is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, GDLC has been the lower-risk option at 9.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDLC or LTCN?

Over the 5-year period, GDLC has performed better with a 2.21% return vs -59.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDLC or LTCN?

GDLC is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.

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

GDLC and LTCN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GDLC and LTCN?

GDLC tracks CoinDesk 5 Index, while LTCN tracks CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for GDLC and 2.50% for LTCN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.70 vs -0.75), 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.