NCIQ vs. MSBT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NCIQ (Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF) and MSBT (Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust) are both Cryptocurrency funds - NCIQ tracks the Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price™ Index while MSBT tracks the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark 4PM NY Settlement Rate. Both are passively managed. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NCIQ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for MSBT.

Performance

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) and Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NCIQ

• 1D: -2.92%
• 1M: -18.28%
• YTD: -28.25%
• 6M: -33.10%
• 1Y: -40.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSBT

• 1D: -2.70%
• 1M: -18.41%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NCIQ Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF	-9.59%
MSBT Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust	-8.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NCIQ and MSBT is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2026	0.99

Return for Risk

NCIQ vs. MSBT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCIQ

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

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.

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) and Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust (MSBT). 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.

	NCIQ	MSBT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.85	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.15	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.87	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.76	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NCIQ	MSBT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.61	-1.33	+0.73

Drawdowns

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCIQ drawdown since its inception was -52.90%, which is greater than MSBT's maximum drawdown of -20.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCIQ and MSBT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCIQ	MSBT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.90%	-20.25%	-32.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-52.01%	-20.25%	-31.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.86%	-3.91%	-17.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.94%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NCIQ	MSBT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.56%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.46%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.21%	32.92%	+14.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.80%	32.92%	+14.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.80%	32.92%	+14.88%

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCIQ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than MSBT's 0.14% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NCIQ vs. MSBT - Dividend Comparison

Neither NCIQ nor MSBT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCIQ and MSBT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, NCIQ and MSBT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, NCIQ or MSBT?

On fees, MSBT is cheaper at 0.14% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NCIQ or MSBT?

MSBT is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for NCIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NCIQ or MSBT?

NCIQ and MSBT have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between NCIQ and MSBT?

NCIQ tracks Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price™ Index, while MSBT tracks CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark 4PM NY Settlement Rate. They also come from different issuers: Hashdex and Morgan Stanley. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for NCIQ and 0.14% for MSBT.