IBIT vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIT returned -43.21% vs -53.42% for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.41, they often move in opposite directions. IBIT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBIT achieves a -24.13% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -39.73% return.

IBIT

• 1D: 2.11%
• 1M: 5.76%
• 6M: -25.79%
• YTD: -24.13%
• 1Y: -43.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.57%

SQQQ

• 1D: -5.55%
• 1M: 11.44%
• 6M: -41.66%
• YTD: -39.73%
• 1Y: -53.42%
• 3Y*: -52.07%
• 5Y*: -45.43%
• 10Y*: -55.01%
• ALL TIME*: -52.98%

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

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-24.13%	-6.41%	89.87%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-39.73%	-53.05%	-50.12%

Correlation

The correlation between IBIT and SQQQ is -0.48, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	-0.41

Return for Risk

IBIT vs. SQQQ — 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: 3

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 2
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). 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.

	IBIT	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.98	-0.95	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.42	-1.51	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	0.84	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.81	-0.88	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	-1.58	+0.29

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBIT Sharpe Ratio is -0.98, which is comparable to the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBIT and SQQQ, 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

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBIT drawdown since its inception was -53.30%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIT and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBIT	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.30%	-100.00%	+46.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.30%	-61.03%	+7.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-92.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.27%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.16%	-100.00%	+52.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.85%	-92.76%	+74.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.56%	33.87%	-0.31%

Volatility

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is 10.61%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 21.47%. This indicates that IBIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBIT	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.61%	21.47%	-10.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.67%	46.64%	-11.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.37%	56.29%	-11.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.82%	67.96%	-18.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.82%	66.62%	-16.80%

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBIT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBIT vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	9.91%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBIT and SQQQ in my portfolio?

IBIT and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.48, 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 SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (21.47%) compared to IBIT (10.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIT dropped -53.30% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, IBIT or SQQQ?

On 1-year performance, IBIT leads with -43.21% vs -53.42% for SQQQ. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBIT has been the lower-risk option at 10.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBIT or SQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, IBIT has performed better with a -43.21% return vs -53.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBIT or SQQQ?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.91%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between IBIT and SQQQ?

IBIT is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IBIT and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.95 vs -0.98), 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.