IBIT vs. SLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) and SLV (iShares Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIT returned -38.74% vs 110.59% for SLV. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBIT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SLV.

Performance

IBIT vs. SLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBIT achieves a -25.48% return, which is significantly lower than SLV's 2.78% return.

IBIT

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: -18.50%
• YTD: -25.48%
• 6M: -29.84%
• 1Y: -38.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SLV

• 1D: -2.62%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 2.78%
• 6M: 24.76%
• 1Y: 110.59%
• 3Y*: 45.06%
• 5Y*: 20.76%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

IBIT vs. SLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-25.48%	-6.41%	99.21%
SLV iShares Silver Trust	2.78%	144.66%	26.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IBIT and SLV is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024	0.20

Return for Risk

IBIT vs. SLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 2
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

IBIT vs. SLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV). 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.

	IBIT	SLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	1.89	-2.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.23	2.07	-3.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.35	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.79	2.62	-3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	5.64	-7.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBIT vs. SLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBIT Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is lower than the SLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBIT and SLV, 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

	IBIT	SLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.89	1.89	-2.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.25	+0.05

Drawdowns

IBIT vs. SLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBIT drawdown since its inception was -49.36%, smaller than the maximum SLV drawdown of -76.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIT and SLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBIT	SLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.36%	-76.28%	+26.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.36%	-42.45%	-6.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-42.45%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.10%	-37.30%	-10.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.02%	-44.67%	+28.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	28.44%	19.67%	+8.77%

Volatility

IBIT vs. SLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is 9.50%, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a volatility of 16.30%. This indicates that IBIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBIT	SLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.50%	16.30%	-6.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.44%	58.31%	-23.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.73%	58.90%	-15.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.19%	36.15%	+14.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.19%	31.84%	+18.35%

IBIT vs. SLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBIT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SLV's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBIT vs. SLV - Dividend Comparison

Neither IBIT nor SLV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBIT and SLV in my portfolio?

IBIT and SLV have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBIT or SLV?

SLV has higher volatility (16.30%) compared to IBIT (9.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIT dropped -49.36% vs SLV's -76.28%.

Which ETF is better, IBIT or SLV?

On 1-year performance, SLV leads with 110.59% vs -38.74% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBIT has been the lower-risk option at 9.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBIT or SLV?

Over the 1-year period, SLV has performed better with a 110.59% return vs -38.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBIT or SLV?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBIT or SLV?

IBIT and SLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between IBIT and SLV?

IBIT is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SLV is Silver. IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IBIT and 0.50% for SLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs -0.89), 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.