LTCN vs. GDLC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) and GDLC (Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds from Grayscale - LTCN tracks the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index while GDLC tracks the CoinDesk 5 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LTCN returned -59.10%/yr vs 1.67%/yr for GDLC. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LTCN charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for GDLC.

Performance

LTCN vs. GDLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC). 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 GDLC's -30.77% return.

LTCN

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

GDLC

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: -21.81%
• YTD: -30.77%
• 6M: -34.99%
• 1Y: -35.91%
• 3Y*: 67.03%
• 5Y*: 1.67%
• 10Y*: —

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

LTCN vs. GDLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-42.76%	-54.37%	-18.79%	650.00%	-77.17%	-96.84%	1,165.22%
GDLC Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF	-30.77%	0.45%	136.98%	353.26%	-84.21%	27.43%	-31.30%

Correlation

The correlation between LTCN and GDLC is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2020	0.53

Over the past year, LTCN and GDLC have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.53, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

LTCN vs. GDLC — 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

GDLC

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

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. GDLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC). 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	GDLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	-0.74	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.03	-0.92	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	0.90	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	-0.67	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	-1.15	-0.06
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. GDLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTCN Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is comparable to the GDLC Sharpe Ratio of -0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTCN and GDLC, 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	GDLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	-0.74	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.56	0.02	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.20	0.29	-0.49

Drawdowns

LTCN vs. GDLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTCN drawdown since its inception was -99.58%, which is greater than GDLC's maximum drawdown of -94.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTCN and GDLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTCN	GDLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.58%	-94.14%	-5.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.62%	-53.58%	-16.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-92.89%	-53.58%	-39.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.28%	-94.14%	-5.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.33%	-55.46%	-43.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.62%	-52.73%	-36.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	43.18%	31.22%	+11.96%

Volatility

LTCN vs. GDLC - Volatility Comparison

Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) has a higher volatility of 12.32% compared to Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) at 9.50%. This indicates that LTCN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTCN	GDLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.32%	9.50%	+2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.08%	36.02%	+5.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.66%	48.49%	+21.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	106.66%	74.41%	+32.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	141.37%	93.89%	+47.48%

LTCN vs. GDLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTCN has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than GDLC's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTCN vs. GDLC - Dividend Comparison

Neither LTCN nor GDLC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTCN and GDLC in my portfolio?

LTCN and GDLC have a correlation of 0.73, 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 GDLC?

LTCN has higher volatility (12.32%) compared to GDLC (9.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTCN dropped -99.58% vs GDLC's -94.14%.

Which ETF is better, LTCN or GDLC?

On 5-year performance, GDLC leads with 1.67% vs -59.10% for LTCN. On fees, GDLC is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, GDLC 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, LTCN or GDLC?

Over the 5-year period, GDLC has performed better with a 1.67% return vs -59.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LTCN or GDLC?

GDLC is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.

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

LTCN and GDLC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between LTCN and GDLC?

LTCN tracks CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index, while GDLC tracks CoinDesk 5 Index. Their fees differ too: 2.50% for LTCN and 0.59% for GDLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.74 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.