Dividend comparison

IBIT vs GBTC: Which Is Better?

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

Start freeOpen interactive compareSee pricing
IBIT vs GBTC: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% a year versus 1.50% for GBTC. On $10,000 that is $125 a year less in fees.
  • Performance. Over the last 1 year, IBIT returned -25.8% versus -26.7% for GBTC, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $7,423 in IBIT 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 IBIT.
  • Size. IBIT is the larger fund with $65.6 billion in assets, against $10.3 billion for GBTC.

Bottom line: IBIT 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.
MetricIBIT
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF
GBTC
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF
Last dividend—$0.0565 on Apr 3, 2018
Ex-dividend date—Nov 30, 2017
Price$46.71$63.70
Beta2.142.19
Max drawdown (5Y)-53.3%-85.4%
Market cap$65.51B$43.56B
ExchangeNASDAQAMEX
Expense ratio0.25%1.50%
Assets under management$65.64B$10.30B
Number of holdings1—
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

IBIT

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

GBTC

—/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 $15,655 in GBTC.
PeriodIBITGBTC
1 month1.50%1.42%
3 months28.50%26.26%
Year to date-5.92%-6.82%
1 year-25.77%-26.69%
3 years—169.46%
5 years—23.09%
  • IBIT
  • GBTC
76172267202420252026175157

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
  • GBTC
0%25%50%75%100%Cash & Others100.0%

Quick verdict

IBIT 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.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IBIT vs GBTC fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Start freeInteractive DRIP compare

Frequently asked questions

Is IBIT or GBTC 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 GBTC?
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IBIT or GBTC?
IBIT has the lower expense ratio. IBIT charges 0.25% a year and GBTC charges 1.50%, a difference of $125 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IBIT or GBTC?
Over the last 1 year, IBIT has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IBIT returned -25.8% and GBTC returned -26.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IBIT or GBTC?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, GBTC has been riskier: IBIT fell as much as 53.3% and GBTC as much as 85.4%. Their betas are 2.14 and 2.19.
Can I hold both IBIT and GBTC?
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 GBTC with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IBIT and GBTC 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.

Related comparisons

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.