Dividend comparison
BTCI vs YBIT: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF and YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. BTCI is cheaper at 0.99% a year versus 1.02% for YBIT. On $10,000 that is $3 a year less in fees.
- Income. YBIT pays more income, yielding 67.67% over the last twelve months versus 30.36% for BTCI. That is about $3,731 more a year on $10,000. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 1 year, YBIT returned -24.0% versus -39.6% for BTCI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $7,597 in YBIT 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 -50.4% for YBIT.
- Size. BTCI is the larger fund with $1.4 billion in assets, against $60 million for YBIT.
Bottom line: BTCI fits better if you care most about lower fees. YBIT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns.
| Metric | BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF | YBIT YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 30.36% | 67.67% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $10.14 | $13.78 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.7180 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.1590 on Oct 16, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Price | $33.39 | $20.36 |
| Beta | 1.42 | 1.02 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -55.9% | -50.4% |
| Market cap | $1.41B | $59.5M |
| Exchange | CBOE | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.99% | 1.02% |
| Assets under management | $1.42B | $59.7M |
| Number of holdings | — | 11 |
BTCI
$252.97/mo
$3036 /yr at 30.36% yield
YBIT
$563.89/mo
$6767 /yr at 67.67% yield
| Year | BTCI | YBIT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16.0521 | $29.8108 |
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 YBIT 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 | YBIT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.77% | 0.94% |
| 3 months | 15.34% | 21.26% |
| Year to date | -24.15% | -8.74% |
| 1 year | -39.59% | -24.03% |
| 3 years | — | — |
| 5 years | — | — |
- BTCI
- YBIT
Both series indexed to 100 on 2024-10-17 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- BTCI
- YBIT
Quick verdict
BTCI fits better if you care most about lower fees. YBIT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns. 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.