LTCN vs. IBLC
LTCN (Grayscale Litecoin Trust) and IBLC (iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF) are both Cryptocurrency funds - LTCN tracks the CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index while IBLC tracks the ICE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LTCN returned -6.83%/yr vs 50.11%/yr for IBLC. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LTCN charges 2.50%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBLC.
Performance
LTCN vs. IBLC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LTCN achieves a -42.76% return, which is significantly lower than IBLC's 31.00% return.
LTCN
- 1D
- -0.64%
- 1M
- -19.52%
- YTD
- -42.76%
- 6M
- -51.38%
- 1Y
- -52.40%
- 3Y*
- -6.83%
- 5Y*
- -59.10%
- 10Y*
- —
IBLC
- 1D
- -1.01%
- 1M
- 8.35%
- YTD
- 31.00%
- 6M
- 11.45%
- 1Y
- 64.83%
- 3Y*
- 50.11%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
LTCN vs. IBLC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust | -42.76% | -54.37% | -18.79% | 650.00% | -60.00% |
IBLC iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | 31.00% | 27.05% | 18.58% | 201.47% | -57.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between LTCN and IBLC is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2022 | 0.52 |
The correlation between LTCN and IBLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
LTCN vs. IBLC — Risk / Return Rank
LTCN
IBLC
LTCN vs. IBLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) and iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC). 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 | IBLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.88 | 1.21 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.75 | 1.45 | -2.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.21 | 2.88 | -4.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| LTCN | IBLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.75 | 1.19 | -1.95 |
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 | -0.59 |
Drawdowns
LTCN vs. IBLC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LTCN drawdown since its inception was -99.58%, which is greater than IBLC's maximum drawdown of -62.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTCN and IBLC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LTCN | IBLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.58% | -62.54% | -37.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -69.62% | -44.94% | -24.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -92.89% | -51.68% | -41.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -99.28% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -99.33% | -13.87% | -85.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -89.62% | -25.88% | -63.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 43.18% | 22.58% | +20.60% |
Volatility
LTCN vs. IBLC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTCN) is 12.32%, while iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC) has a volatility of 14.39%. This indicates that LTCN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LTCN | IBLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.32% | 14.39% | -2.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 41.08% | 40.72% | +0.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 69.66% | 54.80% | +14.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 106.66% | 64.46% | +42.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 141.37% | 64.46% | +76.91% |
LTCN vs. IBLC - Expense Ratio Comparison
LTCN has a 2.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IBLC's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
LTCN vs. IBLC - Dividend Comparison
LTCN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBLC iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | 4.82% | 6.31% | 1.60% | 1.79% | 0.84% |
LTCN Grayscale Litecoin Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LTCN and IBLC have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBLC has higher volatility (14.39%) compared to LTCN (12.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTCN dropped -99.58% vs IBLC's -62.54%.
On 3-year performance, IBLC leads with 50.11% vs -6.83% for LTCN. On fees, IBLC is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, LTCN has been the lower-risk option at 12.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IBLC has performed better with a 50.11% return vs -6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBLC is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 2.50% for LTCN.
IBLC has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 0.00% for LTCN.
LTCN tracks CoinDesk Litecoin Price Index, while IBLC tracks ICE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index. They also come from different issuers: Grayscale and iShares. Their fees differ too: 2.50% for LTCN and 0.47% for IBLC.
IBLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 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.
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