Dividend comparison

IBIT vs ARKB: Which Is Better?

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

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IBIT vs ARKB: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. ARKB is cheaper at 0.21% a year versus 0.25% for IBIT. On $10,000 that is $4 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 1 year, IBIT returned -25.8% versus -25.8% for ARKB, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $7,423 in IBIT and $7,422 in ARKB.
  • Risk. Their worst declines over the last 1 year were similar: -53.3% for IBIT and -53.3% for ARKB from peak to trough.
  • Diversification. IBIT holds 1 positions and ARKB holds 1.
  • Size. IBIT is the larger fund with $65.6 billion in assets, against $2.9 billion for ARKB.

Bottom line: ARKB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. IBIT 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.
MetricIBIT
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF
ARKB
ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF
Price$46.71$27.35
Beta2.142.14
Max drawdown (5Y)-53.3%-53.3%
Market cap$65.51B$2.91B
ExchangeNASDAQCBOE
Expense ratio0.25%0.21%
Assets under management$65.64B$2.91B
Number of holdings11
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

IBIT

—/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 $17,540 in IBIT and $17,543 in ARKB.
PeriodIBITARKB
1 month1.50%1.56%
3 months28.50%26.62%
Year to date-5.92%-5.82%
1 year-25.77%-25.78%
3 years——
5 years——
  • IBIT
  • ARKB
76172267202420252026175175

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.
  • IBIT
  • ARKB
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%100.0%

Quick verdict

ARKB has the edge on these figures, with lower fees. IBIT 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 IBIT 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 IBIT and ARKB?
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. 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, IBIT or ARKB?
ARKB has the lower expense ratio. IBIT charges 0.25% a year and ARKB charges 0.21%, a difference of $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IBIT or ARKB?
Over the last 1 year, IBIT has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IBIT returned -25.8% and ARKB returned -25.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IBIT or ARKB?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, ARKB has been riskier: IBIT fell as much as 53.3% and ARKB as much as 53.3%. Their betas are 2.14 and 2.14.
Can I hold both IBIT 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 IBIT vs ARKB with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IBIT 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.