GDLC vs. SCUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GDLC (Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF) and SCUS (Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDLC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk 5 Index, while SCUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Charles Schwab. GDLC is passively managed, while SCUS is actively managed. Over the past year, GDLC returned -34.89% vs 3.94% for SCUS. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. GDLC charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for SCUS.

Performance

GDLC vs. SCUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDLC achieves a -30.31% return, which is significantly lower than SCUS's 1.49% return.

GDLC

• 1D: 2.15%
• 1M: -14.77%
• YTD: -30.31%
• 6M: -31.02%
• 1Y: -34.89%
• 3Y*: 51.33%
• 5Y*: 6.57%
• 10Y*: —

SCUS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 3.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GDLC vs. SCUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-30.31%	0.45%	103.87%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.49%	4.51%	2.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GDLC and SCUS is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2024	-0.06

Return for Risk

GDLC vs. SCUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDLC

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

SCUS

SCUS Risk / Return Rank: 99
SCUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SCUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Omega Ratio Rank: 98
SCUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SCUS Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. SCUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) and Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GDLC	SCUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.71	5.84	-6.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.87	11.18	-12.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	2.56	-1.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.62	23.76	-24.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.05	102.91	-103.97

GDLC vs. SCUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDLC Sharpe Ratio is -0.71, which is lower than the SCUS Sharpe Ratio of 5.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDLC and SCUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GDLC vs. SCUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDLC drawdown since its inception was -94.14%, which is greater than SCUS's maximum drawdown of -0.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDLC and SCUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDLC	SCUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.14%	-0.17%	-93.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.34%	-0.17%	-56.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.17%	-0.08%	-55.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.77%	-0.02%	-52.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.18%	0.04%	+33.14%

Volatility

GDLC vs. SCUS - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) has a higher volatility of 13.73% compared to Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (SCUS) at 0.22%. This indicates that GDLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDLC	SCUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.73%	0.22%	+13.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.72%	0.50%	+36.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.09%	0.68%	+48.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	73.79%	0.71%	+73.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	94.20%	0.71%	+93.49%

GDLC vs. SCUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDLC has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SCUS's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDLC vs. SCUS - Dividend Comparison

GDLC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SCUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCUS Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF	3.91%	4.17%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDLC and SCUS in my portfolio?

GDLC and SCUS have a correlation of -0.08, 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 SCUS?

GDLC has higher volatility (13.73%) compared to SCUS (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDLC dropped -94.14% vs SCUS's -0.17%.

Which ETF is better, GDLC or SCUS?

On 1-year performance, SCUS leads with 3.94% vs -34.89% for GDLC. On fees, SCUS is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, SCUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDLC or SCUS?

Over the 1-year period, SCUS has performed better with a 3.94% return vs -34.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDLC or SCUS?

SCUS is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for GDLC.

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

SCUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 0.00% for GDLC.

What is the main difference between GDLC and SCUS?

GDLC is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SCUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for GDLC and 0.14% for SCUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.84 vs -0.71), 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.