ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD
ZEC-USD (ZCash) and BTC-USD (Bitcoin) are both cryptocurrencies. Over the past 5 years, ZEC-USD returned 33.50%/yr vs 9.29%/yr for BTC-USD. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZEC-USD achieves a -7.55% return, which is significantly higher than BTC-USD's -26.06% return.
ZEC-USD
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 18.28%
- 6M
- 33.69%
- YTD
- -7.55%
- 1Y
- 1,128.83%
- 3Y*
- 149.78%
- 5Y*
- 33.50%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 26.95%
BTC-USD
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- 10.55%
- 6M
- -23.45%
- YTD
- -26.06%
- 1Y
- -45.09%
- 3Y*
- 30.32%
- 5Y*
- 9.29%
- 10Y*
- 59.55%
- ALL TIME*
- 88.38%
Liquidity Comparison
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD - Yearly Performance Comparison
Correlation
The correlation between ZEC-USD and BTC-USD is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2016 | 0.58 |
The correlation between ZEC-USD and BTC-USD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD — Risk / Return Rank
ZEC-USD
BTC-USD
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ZCash (ZEC-USD) and Bitcoin (BTC-USD). 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.
| ZEC-USD | BTC-USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +8.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +5.89 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 0.84 | +0.59 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 15.73 | -0.85 | +16.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 29.04 | -1.32 | +30.36 |
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Drawdowns
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZEC-USD drawdown since its inception was -97.92%, which is greater than BTC-USD's maximum drawdown of -85.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZEC-USD and BTC-USD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ZEC-USD | BTC-USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -97.92% | -85.30% | -12.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -71.77% | -53.08% | -18.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -71.77% | -53.08% | -18.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -93.77% | -76.67% | -17.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -83.80% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -46.42% | -48.13% | +1.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -80.45% | -42.70% | -37.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 38.82% | 24.64% | +14.18% |
Volatility
ZEC-USD vs. BTC-USD - Volatility Comparison
ZCash (ZEC-USD) has a higher volatility of 24.89% compared to Bitcoin (BTC-USD) at 8.58%. This indicates that ZEC-USD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BTC-USD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ZEC-USD | BTC-USD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 24.89% | 8.58% | +16.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 95.40% | 34.30% | +61.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 132.75% | 35.84% | +96.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 91.30% | 43.67% | +47.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 97.75% | 56.33% | +41.42% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ZEC-USD and BTC-USD have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ZEC-USD has higher volatility (24.89%) compared to BTC-USD (8.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZEC-USD dropped -97.92% vs BTC-USD's -85.30%.
ZEC-USD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.07 vs -1.05), 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.
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