Dividend comparison
YBIT vs BITO: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF and ProShares Bitcoin ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. BITO is cheaper at 0.95% a year versus 1.02% for YBIT. On $10,000 that is $7 a year less in fees.
- Income. YBIT pays more income, yielding 67.67% over the last twelve months versus 22.43% for BITO. That is about $4,524 more a year on $10,000. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 1 year, YBIT returned -24.0% versus -33.1% for BITO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $7,597 in YBIT and $6,689 in BITO.
- Risk. BITO has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 1 year was -77.8%, against -50.4% for YBIT.
- Diversification. YBIT holds 11 positions and BITO holds 5.
- Size. BITO is the larger fund with $1.6 billion in assets, against $60 million for YBIT.
Bottom line: YBIT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 1-year returns, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. BITO fits better if you care most about lower fees.
| Metric | YBIT YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF | BITO ProShares Bitcoin ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 67.67% | 22.43% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $13.78 | $2.47 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.1590 on Oct 16, 2026 | $0.0174 on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Price | $20.36 | $11.01 |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.74 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -50.4% | -77.8% |
| Market cap | $59.5M | $2.22B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 1.02% | 0.95% |
| Assets under management | $59.7M | $1.61B |
| Number of holdings | 11 | 5 |
YBIT
$563.89/mo
$6767 /yr at 67.67% yield
BITO
$186.91/mo
$2243 /yr at 22.43% yield
| Year | YBIT | BITO |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29.8108 | $9.5198 |
| 2024 | — | $14.0307 |
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 YBIT vs BITO actually do
It buys front-month CME bitcoin futures and rolls them forward as each contract nears expiry, holding Treasuries as collateral. When longer-dated contracts trade above nearer ones, a condition called contango that has been common in bitcoin futures, each roll sells low and buys high and drags on return relative to spot bitcoin. Fees are around 0.95% a year on top of that roll cost, and its distributions come from collateral interest and realized futures gains rather than from anything the asset pays.
Suits an account that cannot hold spot bitcoin products directly but can hold a futures-based fund. Since spot bitcoin ETFs became available in 2024 the structural case for the futures wrapper is much narrower, and the combination of roll drag and fee means it should not be expected to keep pace with bitcoin itself.
High volatility, structural tracking drag
| Period | YBIT | BITO |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.94% | 0.82% |
| 3 months | 21.26% | 26.70% |
| Year to date | -8.74% | -9.46% |
| 1 year | -24.03% | -33.11% |
| 3 years | — | 115.46% |
| 5 years | — | -11.21% |
- YBIT
- BITO
Both series indexed to 100 on 2024-04-23 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- YBIT
- BITO
Quick verdict
YBIT fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 1-year returns, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. BITO fits better if you care most about lower fees. 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.