LTCN vs. DFCA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) and DFCA (Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LTCN is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index, while DFCA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional. LTCN is passively managed, while DFCA is actively managed. Over the past year, LTCN returned -52.40% vs 5.06% for DFCA. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. LTCN charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFCA.

Performance

LTCN vs. DFCA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA). 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 DFCA's 1.10% return.

LTCN

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

DFCA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LTCN vs. DFCA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-42.76%	-54.37%	-18.79%	232.28%
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	1.10%	2.99%	1.49%	2.59%

Correlation

The correlation between LTCN and DFCA is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2023	-0.04

Return for Risk

LTCN vs. DFCA — 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

DFCA

DFCA Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DFCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFCA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
DFCA Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. DFCA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA). 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	DFCA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	2.88	-3.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.03	4.25	-5.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.62	-0.73
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	2.88	-3.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	9.29	-10.51
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. DFCA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTCN Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the DFCA Sharpe Ratio of 2.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTCN and DFCA, 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	DFCA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	2.88	-3.63
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	1.13	-1.33

Drawdowns

LTCN vs. DFCA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTCN drawdown since its inception was -99.58%, which is greater than DFCA's maximum drawdown of -3.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTCN and DFCA.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTCN	DFCA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.58%	-3.28%	-96.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.62%	-1.77%	-67.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-92.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.33%	-0.49%	-98.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.62%	-0.70%	-88.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	43.18%	0.55%	+42.63%

Volatility

LTCN vs. DFCA - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) has a higher volatility of 12.32% compared to Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) at 0.52%. This indicates that LTCN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTCN	DFCA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.32%	0.52%	+11.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.08%	1.30%	+39.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.66%	1.77%	+67.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	106.66%	2.48%	+104.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	141.37%	2.48%	+138.89%

LTCN vs. DFCA - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTCN has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCA's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTCN vs. DFCA - Dividend Comparison

LTCN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	2.69%	2.86%	2.86%	1.24%
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTCN and DFCA in my portfolio?

LTCN and DFCA have a correlation of -0.11, 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 DFCA?

LTCN has higher volatility (12.32%) compared to DFCA (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTCN dropped -99.58% vs DFCA's -3.28%.

Which ETF is better, LTCN or DFCA?

On 1-year performance, DFCA leads with 5.06% vs -52.40% for LTCN. On fees, DFCA is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, DFCA has been the lower-risk option at 0.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LTCN or DFCA?

Over the 1-year period, DFCA has performed better with a 5.06% return vs -52.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LTCN or DFCA?

DFCA is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.

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

DFCA has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.00% for LTCN.

What is the main difference between LTCN and DFCA?

LTCN is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while DFCA is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 2.50% for LTCN and 0.19% for DFCA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 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.