STCE vs. ARKF

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

STCE (Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF) and ARKF (ARK Fintech Innovation ETF) are both Blockchain funds. STCE is passively managed, while ARKF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, STCE returned 39.06%/yr vs 24.18%/yr for ARKF. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. STCE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ARKF.

Performance

STCE vs. ARKF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STCE achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly higher than ARKF's -11.82% return.

STCE

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 4.24%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 1Y: 22.67%
• 3Y*: 39.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.73%

ARKF

• 1D: 3.60%
• 1M: 2.51%
• 6M: 2.26%
• YTD: -11.82%
• 1Y: -20.14%
• 3Y*: 24.18%
• 5Y*: -4.60%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.54%

*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)
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	$5.98M	$5.40M	$7.03M
STCE Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF	$6.33M	$7.66M	$10.53M

STCE vs. ARKF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
STCE Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF	8.56%	36.12%	41.76%	108.65%	-40.98%
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	-11.82%	28.67%	34.34%	93.27%	-28.83%

Correlation

The correlation between STCE and ARKF is 0.71, 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.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2022	0.78

The correlation between STCE and ARKF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

STCE vs. ARKF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STCE	ARKF
Financial Services	66.5%	30.3%
Technology	26.0%	41.9%
Communication Services	6.6%	11.7%
Utilities	1.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	16.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

STCE vs. ARKF — Risk / Return Rank

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

STCE

STCE Risk / Return Rank: 19
STCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
STCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
STCE Omega Ratio Rank: 21
STCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
STCE Martin Ratio Rank: 15

ARKF

ARKF Risk / Return Rank: 5
ARKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ARKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ARKF Omega Ratio Rank: 4
ARKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ARKF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

STCE vs. ARKF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE) and ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF). 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.

	STCE	ARKF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	-0.60	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	-0.67	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	0.92	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	-0.53	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.69	-0.84	+1.53

STCE vs. ARKF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STCE Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is higher than the ARKF Sharpe Ratio of -0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STCE and ARKF, 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

STCE vs. ARKF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STCE drawdown since its inception was -54.11%, smaller than the maximum ARKF drawdown of -78.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STCE and ARKF.

Drawdown Indicators

	STCE	ARKF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.11%	-78.63%	+24.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.11%	-38.50%	-15.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.11%	-38.50%	-15.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-75.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.84%	-33.90%	-4.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-34.98%	+12.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.05%	23.97%	+9.08%

Volatility

STCE vs. ARKF - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF (STCE) has a higher volatility of 20.36% compared to ARK Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) at 8.97%. This indicates that STCE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ARKF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STCE	ARKF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.36%	8.97%	+11.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	44.42%	26.26%	+18.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	63.97%	33.92%	+30.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	56.31%	43.03%	+13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	56.31%	39.63%	+16.68%

STCE vs. ARKF - Expense Ratio Comparison

STCE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKF's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

STCE vs. ARKF - Dividend Comparison

STCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, more than ARKF's 0.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ARKF ARK Fintech Innovation ETF	0.10%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.37%	1.25%
STCE Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF	1.74%	1.96%	0.64%	0.31%	1.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STCE and ARKF in my portfolio?

STCE and ARKF have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STCE or ARKF?

STCE has higher volatility (20.36%) compared to ARKF (8.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STCE dropped -54.11% vs ARKF's -78.63%.

Which ETF is better, STCE or ARKF?

On 3-year performance, STCE leads with 39.06% vs 24.18% for ARKF. On fees, STCE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, ARKF has been the lower-risk option at 8.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STCE or ARKF?

Over the 3-year period, STCE has performed better with a 39.06% return vs 24.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STCE or ARKF?

STCE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ARKF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STCE or ARKF?

STCE has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.10% for ARKF.

What is the main difference between STCE and ARKF?

They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and ARK. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for STCE and 0.75% for ARKF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STCE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.36 vs -0.60), 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.