Dividend comparison
BTCI vs BLOX: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF and Nicholas Crypto Income ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.99% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. BLOX pays more income, yielding 51.19% over the last twelve months versus 30.36% for BTCI. That is about $2,084 more a year on $10,000. BTCI pays monthly, BLOX pays weekly.
- Performance. Over the last 1 year, BTCI returned -39.6% versus -53.0% for BLOX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $6,041 in BTCI and $4,701 in BLOX.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 1 year were similar: -55.9% for BTCI and -56.3% for BLOX from peak to trough.
- Size. BTCI is the larger fund with $1.4 billion in assets, against $259 million for BLOX.
Bottom line: BTCI fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns. BLOX fits better if you care most about more income today.
| Metric | BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF | BLOX Nicholas Crypto Income ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 30.36% | 51.19% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $10.14 | $5.93 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Weekly |
| Last dividend | $0.7180 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.0878 on Oct 19, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Price | $33.39 | $11.73 |
| Beta | 1.42 | 2.96 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -55.9% | -56.3% |
| Market cap | $1.41B | $13.4M |
| Exchange | CBOE | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.99% | 0.99% |
| Assets under management | $1.42B | $259.2M |
BTCI
$252.97/mo
$3036 /yr at 30.36% yield
BLOX
$426.60/mo
$5119 /yr at 51.19% yield
| Year | BTCI | BLOX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16.0521 | — |
Distributions vary sharply, have included return of capital, and upside is capped while downside is not, so net asset value can fall a long way even in periods when the payments keep arriving.
What BTCI vs BLOX actually do
Rather than owning bitcoin or futures directly, it holds spot bitcoin ETPs such as IBIT and HODL, then sells calls on bitcoin-related funds to collect premium. Bitcoin's implied volatility is extreme by equity standards, so the premium collected and the resulting distributions are very large, and so is the amount of upside handed over when bitcoin runs. Fees are around 1% a year, which is high in absolute terms though normal for this category.
Suits someone who already wants bitcoin exposure and would rather convert its volatility into monthly cash than wait for appreciation. Entirely unsuitable as a core income holding: the underlying asset can halve, the distribution is not contractual, and the call overlay removes exactly the upside that justifies owning bitcoin in the first place.
Speculative income, very high volatility
| Period | BTCI | BLOX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.77% | -18.54% |
| 3 months | 15.34% | -9.56% |
| Year to date | -24.15% | -32.51% |
| 1 year | -39.59% | -52.99% |
| 3 years | — | — |
| 5 years | — | — |
- BTCI
- BLOX
Both series indexed to 100 on 2025-06-17 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- BTCI
- BLOX
Quick verdict
BTCI fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns. BLOX fits better if you care most about more income today. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.