NODE vs. HODL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NODE (VanEck Onchain Economy ETF) and HODL (VanEck Bitcoin Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - NODE is a Blockchain fund actively managed by VanEck, while HODL is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. NODE is actively managed, while HODL is passively managed. Over the past year, NODE returned 71.73% vs -38.56% for HODL. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NODE charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for HODL.

Performance

NODE vs. HODL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Onchain Economy ETF (NODE) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NODE achieves a 33.28% return, which is significantly higher than HODL's -25.27% return.

NODE

• 1D: -1.79%
• 1M: 10.04%
• YTD: 33.28%
• 6M: 21.22%
• 1Y: 71.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HODL

• 1D: -2.79%
• 1M: -18.34%
• YTD: -25.27%
• 6M: -29.73%
• 1Y: -38.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NODE vs. HODL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NODE VanEck Onchain Economy ETF	33.28%	32.44%
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	-25.27%	-15.40%

Correlation

The correlation between NODE and HODL is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2025	0.70

The correlation between NODE and HODL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NODE vs. HODL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NODE

NODE Risk / Return Rank: 41
NODE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NODE Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
NODE Omega Ratio Rank: 41
NODE Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
NODE Martin Ratio Rank: 31

HODL

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

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.

NODE vs. HODL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Onchain Economy ETF (NODE) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). 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.

	NODE	HODL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	-0.89	+2.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	-1.23	+3.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	0.86	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	-0.79	+2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.50	-1.36	+5.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NODE vs. HODL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NODE Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is higher than the HODL Sharpe Ratio of -0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NODE and HODL, 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

	NODE	HODL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	-0.89	+2.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.62	0.30	+1.31

Drawdowns

NODE vs. HODL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NODE drawdown since its inception was -35.35%, smaller than the maximum HODL drawdown of -49.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NODE and HODL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NODE	HODL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.35%	-49.25%	+13.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.35%	-49.25%	+13.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.42%	-47.93%	+45.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.30%	-15.97%	+4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.00%	28.35%	-12.35%

Volatility

NODE vs. HODL - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Onchain Economy ETF (NODE) has a higher volatility of 12.39% compared to VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) at 9.43%. This indicates that NODE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HODL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NODE	HODL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.39%	9.43%	+2.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.83%	34.37%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.44%	43.51%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.59%	49.88%	-5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.59%	49.88%	-5.29%

NODE vs. HODL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NODE has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than HODL's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

NODE vs. HODL - Dividend Comparison

NODE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, while HODL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	0.00%	0.00%
NODE VanEck Onchain Economy ETF	0.84%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NODE and HODL in my portfolio?

NODE and HODL have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NODE or HODL?

NODE has higher volatility (12.39%) compared to HODL (9.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NODE dropped -35.35% vs HODL's -49.25%.

Which ETF is better, NODE or HODL?

On 1-year performance, NODE leads with 71.73% vs -38.56% for HODL. On fees, HODL is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, HODL has been the lower-risk option at 9.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NODE or HODL?

Over the 1-year period, NODE has performed better with a 71.73% return vs -38.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NODE or HODL?

HODL is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for NODE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NODE or HODL?

NODE has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.00% for HODL.

What is the main difference between NODE and HODL?

NODE is categorized as Blockchain, while HODL is Cryptocurrency. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for NODE and 0.25% for HODL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NODE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs -0.89), 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.