Dividend comparison

BTCI vs STRC: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF and Strategy Inc, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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BTCI vs STRC: key differences

The short answer, from the latest data on this page.

Performance. Over the last 1 year, STRC returned 1.0% versus -39.6% for BTCI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $10,098 in STRC and $6,041 in BTCI.
Risk. BTCI has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 1 year was -55.9%, against -25.5% for STRC.

Bottom line: STRC has the edge on these figures, with stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns. BTCI does not lead on any of the measures compared here.

Side-by-side snapshot

Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.

Metric	BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	STRC Strategy Inc
Dividend yield (TTM)	30.36%	—
Dividend / share (TTM)	$10.14	—
Payout frequency	Monthly	Monthly
Last dividend	$0.7180 on Sep 18, 2026	$0.5000 on Oct 15, 2026
Ex-dividend date	Sep 16, 2026	Oct 30, 2026
Next payment	—	$0.5000 on Oct 31, 2026
Price	$33.39	$98.71
Beta	1.42	3.54
Max drawdown (5Y)	-55.9%	-25.5%
Market cap	$1.41B	$32.33B
Exchange	CBOE	NASDAQ
Expense ratio	0.99%	—
Assets under management	$1.42B	—

Income on a $10,000 investment

Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

BTCI

$252.97/mo

$3036 /yr at 30.36% yield

STRC

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Dividend history

Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. BTCI pays monthly; STRC pays monthly.

Year	BTCI	STRC
2025	$16.0521	—

Strategy: Crypto-linked income

The most aggressive category on the site: funds that take exposure to bitcoin or a crypto-linked stock, usually through options or futures rather than by owning the asset, and sell calls against it to generate large distributions. Extreme implied volatility is what funds the payout, and the same volatility is what makes the exposure underneath unpredictable. Fees are around 1% a year and the exposure is often synthetic, so what you own is a set of derivative contracts, not the asset itself.

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 STRC actually do

BTCI

A NEOS fund that holds spot bitcoin exchange-traded products and writes call options against that exposure for monthly income.

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

Performance

Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Jul 25, 2025 would now be worth $5,833 in BTCI and $11,530 in STRC.

Period	BTCI	STRC
1 month	1.77%	0.20%
3 months	15.34%	15.73%
Year to date	-24.15%	-0.09%
1 year	-39.59%	0.98%
3 years	—	—
5 years	—	—

BTCI
STRC

Both series indexed to 100 on 2025-07-25 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Quick verdict

STRC has the edge on these figures, with stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns. BTCI does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio

Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how BTCI vs STRC fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.

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Frequently asked questions

Is BTCI or STRC better for dividend income?

Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.

What is the difference between BTCI and STRC?

NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Strategy Inc (STRC) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.

Which has performed better, BTCI or STRC?

Over the last 1 year, STRC has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: BTCI returned -39.6% and STRC returned 1.0%. Past performance does not predict future returns.

Which is riskier, BTCI or STRC?

Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, BTCI has been riskier: BTCI fell as much as 55.9% and STRC as much as 25.5%. Their betas are 1.42 and 3.54.

How often do BTCI and STRC pay dividends?

Both pay monthly. The most recent payments were $0.7180 for BTCI and $0.5000 for STRC.

Can I hold both BTCI and STRC?

Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.

Where can I compare BTCI vs STRC with my full portfolio?

Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how BTCI and STRC fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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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.