LTCN vs. BCDF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) and BCDF (Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds. LTCN is passively managed, while BCDF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LTCN returned -6.83%/yr vs 15.27%/yr for BCDF. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LTCN charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for BCDF.

Performance

LTCN vs. BCDF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF (BCDF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTCN achieves a -42.76% return, which is significantly lower than BCDF's 3.34% return.

LTCN

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -19.52%
• YTD: -42.76%
• 6M: -51.38%
• 1Y: -52.40%
• 3Y*: -6.83%
• 5Y*: -59.10%
• 10Y*: —

BCDF

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -4.77%
• YTD: 3.34%
• 6M: 2.87%
• 1Y: 6.42%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LTCN vs. BCDF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-42.76%	-54.37%	-18.79%	650.00%	-42.78%
BCDF Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF	3.34%	11.63%	14.87%	24.99%	-22.71%

Correlation

The correlation between LTCN and BCDF is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2022	0.33

Return for Risk

LTCN vs. BCDF — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

BCDF

BCDF Risk / Return Rank: 17
BCDF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
BCDF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
BCDF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
BCDF Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
BCDF Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

LTCN vs. BCDF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF (BCDF). 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.

	LTCN	BCDF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	0.44	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.03	0.71	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.09	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	0.84	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	1.88	-3.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTCN vs. BCDF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTCN Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the BCDF Sharpe Ratio of 0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTCN and BCDF, 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

	LTCN	BCDF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	0.44	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.20	0.39	-0.60

Drawdowns

LTCN vs. BCDF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTCN drawdown since its inception was -99.58%, which is greater than BCDF's maximum drawdown of -27.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTCN and BCDF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTCN	BCDF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.58%	-27.70%	-71.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.62%	-7.63%	-61.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-92.89%	-13.46%	-79.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.33%	-7.53%	-91.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.62%	-9.83%	-79.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	43.18%	3.42%	+39.76%

Volatility

LTCN vs. BCDF - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) has a higher volatility of 12.32% compared to Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF (BCDF) at 5.17%. This indicates that LTCN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BCDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTCN	BCDF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.32%	5.17%	+7.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.08%	11.03%	+30.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.66%	14.75%	+54.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	106.66%	16.94%	+89.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	141.37%	16.94%	+124.43%

LTCN vs. BCDF - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTCN has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than BCDF's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTCN vs. BCDF - Dividend Comparison

LTCN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BCDF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BCDF Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF	2.44%	2.53%	1.63%	0.69%	0.38%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTCN and BCDF in my portfolio?

LTCN and BCDF have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LTCN or BCDF?

LTCN has higher volatility (12.32%) compared to BCDF (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTCN dropped -99.58% vs BCDF's -27.70%.

Which ETF is better, LTCN or BCDF?

On 3-year performance, BCDF leads with 15.27% vs -6.83% for LTCN. On fees, BCDF is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, BCDF has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LTCN or BCDF?

Over the 3-year period, BCDF has performed better with a 15.27% return vs -6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LTCN or BCDF?

BCDF is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.

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

BCDF has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.00% for LTCN.

What is the main difference between LTCN and BCDF?

They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Horizon. Their fees differ too: 2.50% for LTCN and 0.85% for BCDF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.44 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.