LTCN vs. GXLM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) and GXLM (Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM)) are both Cryptocurrency funds from Grayscale. LTCN is passively managed, while GXLM is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LTCN returned -12.64%/yr vs -9.59%/yr for GXLM. Their 0.43 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 2.50% expense ratio.

Performance

LTCN vs. GXLM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM) (GXLM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTCN achieves a -45.85% return, which is significantly lower than GXLM's 24.25% return.

LTCN

• 1D: -1.86%
• 1M: -0.94%
• 6M: -34.71%
• YTD: -45.85%
• 1Y: -62.06%
• 3Y*: -12.64%
• 5Y*: -29.58%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -33.21%

GXLM

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 5.02%
• 6M: 31.00%
• YTD: 24.25%
• 1Y: -24.49%
• 3Y*: -9.59%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -21.14%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GXLM Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM)	$173.66K	$146.42K	$230.72K
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	$209.06K	$258.75K	$357.89K

LTCN vs. GXLM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust	-45.85%	-54.37%	-18.79%	650.00%	-77.17%	-37.63%
GXLM Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM)	24.25%	-50.11%	15.60%	532.21%	-87.63%	-42.77%

Correlation

The correlation between LTCN and GXLM is 0.58, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2021	0.43

The correlation between LTCN and GXLM shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (all time) to 0.58 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LTCN vs. GXLM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LTCN

LTCN Risk / Return Rank: 2
LTCN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
LTCN Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
LTCN Omega Ratio Rank: 2
LTCN Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
LTCN Martin Ratio Rank: 3

GXLM

GXLM Risk / Return Rank: 9
GXLM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GXLM Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
GXLM Omega Ratio Rank: 11
GXLM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
GXLM Martin Ratio Rank: 7

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LTCN vs. GXLM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM) (GXLM). 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.

	LTCN	GXLM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	-0.26	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.58	0.27	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.03	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.86	-0.34	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.22	-0.45	-0.77

LTCN vs. GXLM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTCN Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the GXLM Sharpe Ratio of -0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTCN and GXLM, 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

LTCN vs. GXLM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTCN drawdown since its inception was -99.58%, which is greater than GXLM's maximum drawdown of -94.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTCN and GXLM.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTCN	GXLM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.58%	-94.01%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-72.73%	-71.88%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-93.68%	-78.19%	-15.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.37%	-72.54%	-26.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-89.84%	-70.47%	-19.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	50.94%	54.53%	-3.59%

Volatility

LTCN vs. GXLM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) is 10.41%, while Grayscale Stellar Lumens Trust (XLM) (GXLM) has a volatility of 20.25%. This indicates that LTCN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GXLM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTCN	GXLM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.41%	20.25%	-9.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.88%	62.36%	-22.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.82%	95.28%	-30.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	99.11%	147.27%	-48.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	140.36%	147.27%	-6.91%

LTCN vs. GXLM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both LTCN and GXLM have an expense ratio of 2.50%.

Dividends

LTCN vs. GXLM - Dividend Comparison

Neither LTCN nor GXLM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTCN and GXLM in my portfolio?

LTCN and GXLM have a correlation of 0.58, 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 GXLM?

GXLM has higher volatility (20.25%) compared to LTCN (10.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTCN dropped -99.58% vs GXLM's -94.01%.

Which ETF is better, LTCN or GXLM?

On 3-year performance, GXLM leads with -9.59% vs -12.64% for LTCN. Both ETFs have the same 2.50% expense ratio. On volatility, LTCN has been the lower-risk option at 10.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LTCN or GXLM?

Over the 3-year period, GXLM has performed better with a -9.59% return vs -12.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LTCN or GXLM?

LTCN and GXLM have the same expense ratio: 2.50% per year.

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GXLM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.26 vs -0.96), 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.