VBTIX vs. GBTC

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VBTIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and GBTC (Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both funds - VBTIX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while GBTC is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CoinDesk Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX returned 1.41%/yr vs 47.82%/yr for GBTC. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBTIX charges 0.03%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for GBTC.

Performance

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBTIX achieves a 0.04% return, which is significantly higher than GBTC's -26.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX has underperformed GBTC with an annualized return of 1.41%, while GBTC has yielded a comparatively higher 47.82% annualized return.

VBTIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.39%
• 6M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 3.83%
• 5Y*: -0.17%
• 10Y*: 1.41%
• ALL TIME*: 4.19%

GBTC

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 3.38%
• 6M: -32.35%
• YTD: -26.20%
• 1Y: -45.38%
• 3Y*: 36.41%
• 5Y*: 14.15%
• 10Y*: 47.82%
• ALL TIME*: 55.15%

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

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.04%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.15%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.56%
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	-26.20%	-7.65%	113.81%	317.61%	-75.80%	7.03%	290.72%	106.56%	-82.10%	1,787.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VBTIX and GBTC is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2015	0.02

Return for Risk

VBTIX vs. GBTC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBTIX

VBTIX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
VBTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VBTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VBTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

GBTC

GBTC Risk / Return Rank: 2
GBTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
GBTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
GBTC 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.

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC). 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.

	VBTIX	GBTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.10	-1.03	+2.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	-1.54	+3.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	0.83	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	-0.85	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.91	-1.35	+5.26

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.10, which is higher than the GBTC Sharpe Ratio of -1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBTIX and GBTC, 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

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, smaller than the maximum GBTC drawdown of -89.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTIX and GBTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBTIX	GBTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-89.91%	+71.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-53.75%	+50.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.49%	-53.75%	+48.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.13%	-85.42%	+67.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.90%	-89.91%	+71.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.63%	-48.75%	+46.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.32%	-43.49%	+41.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.07%	33.67%	-32.60%

Volatility

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) is 1.05%, while Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) has a volatility of 10.57%. This indicates that VBTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GBTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBTIX	GBTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	10.57%	-9.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	34.51%	-31.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.80%	44.31%	-40.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	61.77%	-55.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.98%	81.37%	-76.39%

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBTIX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GBTC's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBTIX vs. GBTC - Dividend Comparison

VBTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, while GBTC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBTC Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.61%	0.00%	0.00%
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.04%	3.88%	3.69%	3.12%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.56%	2.54%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBTIX and GBTC in my portfolio?

VBTIX and GBTC have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBTIX or GBTC?

GBTC has higher volatility (10.57%) compared to VBTIX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTIX dropped -18.90% vs GBTC's -89.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.10 vs -1.03), 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.