Dividend comparison

GBTC vs ARKB: Which Is Better?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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GBTC vs ARKB: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. ARKB is cheaper at 0.21% a year versus 1.50% for GBTC. On $10,000 that is $129 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 1 year, ARKB returned -25.8% versus -26.7% for GBTC, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $7,422 in ARKB and $7,331 in GBTC.
  • Risk. GBTC has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 1 year was -85.4%, against -53.3% for ARKB.
  • Size. GBTC is the larger fund with $10.3 billion in assets, against $2.9 billion for ARKB.

Bottom line: ARKB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees and smaller drawdowns. GBTC 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.
MetricGBTC
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF
ARKB
ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF
Last dividend$0.0565 on Apr 3, 2018—
Ex-dividend dateNov 30, 2017—
Price$63.70$27.35
Beta2.192.14
Max drawdown (5Y)-85.4%-53.3%
Market cap$43.56B$2.91B
ExchangeAMEXCBOE
Expense ratio1.50%0.21%
Assets under management$10.33B$2.91B
Number of holdings—1
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

GBTC

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

ARKB

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

Strategy: Bitcoin
Funds that give exposure to bitcoin, either by holding it directly in custody or through futures contracts. Spot funds that hold the same coins differ mainly in fee and trading liquidity, while futures funds carry extra roll costs. None of them produce income on their own.

Bitcoin has fallen more than 70% from its peak several times, and price swings of 10% in a day are not unusual.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Jan 11, 2024 would now be worth $15,655 in GBTC and $17,543 in ARKB.
PeriodGBTCARKB
1 month1.42%1.56%
3 months26.26%26.62%
Year to date-6.82%-5.82%
1 year-26.69%-25.78%
3 years169.46%—
5 years23.09%—
  • GBTC
  • ARKB
76171267202420252026157175

Both series indexed to 100 on 2024-01-11 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • GBTC
  • ARKB
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%

Quick verdict

ARKB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees and smaller drawdowns. GBTC does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is GBTC or ARKB 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 GBTC and ARKB?
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) is an ETF listed on AMEX. ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, GBTC or ARKB?
ARKB has the lower expense ratio. GBTC charges 1.50% a year and ARKB charges 0.21%, a difference of $129 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, GBTC or ARKB?
Over the last 1 year, ARKB has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: GBTC returned -26.7% and ARKB returned -25.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, GBTC or ARKB?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, GBTC has been riskier: GBTC fell as much as 85.4% and ARKB as much as 53.3%. Their betas are 2.19 and 2.14.
Can I hold both GBTC and ARKB?
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 GBTC vs ARKB with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how GBTC and ARKB 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.