SLV vs. FBTC

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SLV (iShares Silver Trust) and FBTC (Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SLV is a Silver fund tracking the LBMA Silver Price, while FBTC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the Fidelity Bitcoin Reference Rate. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLV returned 47.30% vs -44.68% for FBTC. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SLV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FBTC.

Performance

SLV vs. FBTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLV achieves a -20.86% return, which is significantly higher than FBTC's -25.63% return.

SLV

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: -14.33%
• 6M: -37.08%
• YTD: -20.86%
• 1Y: 47.30%
• 3Y*: 31.21%
• 5Y*: 16.83%
• 10Y*: 10.57%
• ALL TIME*: 7.03%

FBTC

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 3.51%
• 6M: -31.89%
• YTD: -25.63%
• 1Y: -44.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.64%

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

SLV vs. FBTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SLV iShares Silver Trust	-20.86%	144.66%	25.74%
FBTC Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund	-25.63%	-6.56%	94.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SLV and FBTC is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.22

Return for Risk

SLV vs. FBTC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 28
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FBTC

FBTC Risk / Return Rank: 2
FBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
FBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
FBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
FBTC 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.

SLV vs. FBTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC). 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.

	SLV	FBTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	-1.01	+1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	-1.50	+2.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	0.83	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	-0.84	+1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.85	-1.34	+3.19

SLV vs. FBTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is higher than the FBTC Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLV and FBTC, 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

SLV vs. FBTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLV drawdown since its inception was -76.28%, which is greater than FBTC's maximum drawdown of -53.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLV and FBTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLV	FBTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.28%	-53.35%	-22.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.28%	-53.35%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.72%	-48.20%	-3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.67%	-17.73%	-26.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.64%	33.39%	-7.75%

Volatility

SLV vs. FBTC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has a higher volatility of 12.54% compared to Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) at 10.58%. This indicates that SLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FBTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLV	FBTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.54%	10.58%	+1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.50%	34.53%	+21.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.24%	44.30%	+16.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.87%	49.71%	-12.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.18%	49.71%	-17.53%

SLV vs. FBTC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FBTC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLV vs. FBTC - Dividend Comparison

Neither SLV nor FBTC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLV and FBTC in my portfolio?

SLV and FBTC have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SLV or FBTC?

SLV has higher volatility (12.54%) compared to FBTC (10.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLV dropped -76.28% vs FBTC's -53.35%.

Which ETF is better, SLV or FBTC?

On 1-year performance, SLV leads with 47.30% vs -44.68% for FBTC. On fees, FBTC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FBTC has been the lower-risk option at 10.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLV or FBTC?

Over the 1-year period, SLV has performed better with a 47.30% return vs -44.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLV or FBTC?

FBTC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLV or FBTC?

SLV and FBTC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SLV and FBTC?

SLV is categorized as Silver, while FBTC is Cryptocurrency. SLV tracks LBMA Silver Price, while FBTC tracks Fidelity Bitcoin Reference Rate. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SLV and 0.25% for FBTC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.78 vs -1.01), 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.