Statistics · 2026 · ETFs
Crypto ETF Statistics (2026)
The 5 U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs in this dataset returned between −27.4% and −26.4% over the year to October 2, 2026, and ether fund ETHA returned −36.0%. The five bitcoin funds finished within 1.0 percentage point of each other, while expense ratios run from 0.20% to 1.50%, so cost differs far more than return.
Key takeaways
- From September 30, 2025 to October 2, 2026, the spot bitcoin ETFs returned −27.4% to −26.4% and ETHA returned −36.0%.
- Expense ratios range from 0.20% (BITB) to 1.50% (GBTC), which is 7.5 times as much.
- The 5 bitcoin funds’ one-year returns sit within 1.0 percentage point of each other; this dataset cannot measure tracking against bitcoin to a tenth of a point.
- Maximum drawdown was −49.8% to −49.9% for the 4 newest bitcoin funds (month-end prices; lows within a month are not captured).
Which crypto ETFs performed best?
The spot bitcoin ETFs finished within 1.0 percentage point of each other: −27.4% to −26.4% over the year to October 2, 2026. Ether fund ETHA returned −36.0%, 9.6 points below the best bitcoin fund. All six lost money over this short window.
Each return runs from a month-end close to the October 2, 2026 price and is annualized over the actual days: the one-year figure covers September 30, 2025 to October 2, 2026, so it will not match an issuer's month-end one-year return.
1. ARKB, BITB, and FBTC: −26.4% one-year return (tied)
ARKB, BITB, and FBTC tied for the best one-year return at −26.4% among the 5 bitcoin funds, ranked by the displayed one-decimal value. GBTC was lowest at −27.4% (WealthyBud data · 5 bitcoin ETFs · October 2, 2026).
2. 1.0 percentage point between best and worst bitcoin fund
Best minus worst displayed one-year return; the funds hold the same asset (WealthyBud data · 5 bitcoin ETFs · October 2, 2026).
3. ETHA returned −36.0%, 9.6 points below the best bitcoin fund
ETHA is the only spot ether fund in the dataset, so its figure reflects ether, not bitcoin (WealthyBud data · 1 ether ETF · October 2, 2026).
| Ticker | Fund | Holds | Expense ratio | 1-year return | Month-end prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBIT | iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Bitcoin | 0.25% | −26.5% | 33 |
| FBTC | Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund | Bitcoin | 0.25% | −26.4% | 33 |
| GBTC | Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF | Bitcoin | 1.50% | −27.4% | 121 |
| BITB | Bitwise Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | 0.20% | −26.4% | 33 |
| ARKB | ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | Bitcoin | 0.21% | −26.4% | 33 |
| ETHA | iShares Ethereum Trust ETF | Ether | 0.25% | −36.0% | 27 |
4. Only GBTC has a 3-year return; the other 5 funds do not
The 5 other funds have 27 to 33 month-end prices, short of the 36 a 3-year return needs. GBTC’s figures below cover a longer, trust-era history (WealthyBud data · 6 crypto ETFs · October 2, 2026).
| Window | Start date | GBTC return | Bitcoin change (Coinbase) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year | September 29, 2023 | 55.2% | 46.5% |
| 5-year | September 30, 2021 | 16.3% | 14.1% |
| 10-year | September 30, 2016 | 53.5% | 63.8% |
5. GBTC traded at wide premiums and discounts before January 2024
Grayscale’s 10-K says that from May 5, 2015 to January 10, 2024 the OTCQX-quoted shares had a maximum premium to NAV per share of 142% and a maximum discount of 49%. From January 11, 2024 to December 31, 2025 on NYSE Arca the maximum premium was 1.68% and the maximum discount 1.56% (GBTC Form 10-K, FY2025).
How much do crypto ETFs cost?
Expense ratios run from 0.20% to 1.50%. BITB is the cheapest and GBTC the most expensive, at 7.5 times the cheapest. The other 5 funds charge 0.20% to 0.25%, or $20 to $25 a year per $10,000 invested, so fees are close together outside GBTC.
6. 1.50% for GBTC against 0.20% for the cheapest
On $10,000, that is $150 a year against $20, a gap of $130. Ratios are the issuers’ stated fees (WealthyBud data · 6 crypto ETFs · October 2, 2026).
How volatile are crypto ETFs?
The 4 newest spot bitcoin ETFs show annualized volatility of 53.8% to 53.9%, measured on 32 complete monthly returns. ETHA, with 26 monthly returns, shows 76.0%. For comparison, bitcoin’s own monthly-return volatility over the same 32 months was 51.9%, from Coinbase month-end closes, a different series from the funds’ prices.
7. 53.8% to 53.9% annualized volatility for the 4 newest bitcoin ETFs
Volatility is the sample standard deviation of the last 32 complete monthly returns through September 30, 2026, times √12. BITB and IBIT read 53.8% and ARKB and FBTC read 53.9%; values that display alike are ties. GBTC’s 67.5% covers 60 months including its trust period, so it is left out of this comparison (WealthyBud data · 4 bitcoin ETFs · October 2, 2026).
8. ETHA volatility 76.0%, against 46.9% for bitcoin over the same 26 returns
On Coinbase month-end closes over ETHA’s window, bitcoin’s monthly-return volatility was 46.9% and ether’s was 75.0%. ETHA’s own figure is 76.0% (WealthyBud data · 26 monthly returns · October 2, 2026).
9. Maximum drawdown: −49.8% to −49.9% for the 4 newest bitcoin funds, −63.8% for ETHA
Drawdown is the largest fall from a prior high. For the bitcoin funds it uses 33 month-end prices from January 31, 2024 to September 30, 2026 plus the October 2, 2026 price; lows within a month are not captured and the dataset does not record when each low occurred. ETHA uses 27 month-end prices on the same basis. GBTC’s −83.4% uses 121 prices and includes its trust period (WealthyBud data · 6 crypto ETFs · October 2, 2026).
| Ticker | Volatility (ann.) | Monthly returns (n) | Max drawdown | Month-end prices (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBIT | 53.8% | 32 | −49.8% | 33 |
| FBTC | 53.9% | 32 | −49.9% | 33 |
| GBTC | 67.5% | 60 | −83.4% | 121 |
| BITB | 53.8% | 32 | −49.8% | 33 |
| ARKB | 53.9% | 32 | −49.8% | 33 |
| ETHA | 76.0% | 26 | −63.8% | 27 |
Compare major ETFs by fees and returns
How closely do bitcoin ETFs track bitcoin?
The 5 bitcoin ETFs’ one-year returns sat within 1.0 percentage point of each other, so they move together. This dataset cannot measure tracking against bitcoin to a tenth of a point: Coinbase daily closes and the funds’ 4 p.m. ET closes are not timed to the same moment. ETHA is a separate ether fund.
10. iShares names the CME CF reference rates as the benchmarks for IBIT and ETHA
The IBIT page lists “Benchmark Index CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant” (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, figures as of October 1, 2026). The ETHA page lists “Benchmark Index CME CF Ether Dollar Reference Rate - New York Variant” (iShares Ethereum Trust ETF). This page does not hold those rates’ values, so it computes no tracking error against them.
| Ticker | Issuer | Index or reference rate |
|---|---|---|
| IBIT | BlackRock iShares | CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant |
| FBTC | Fidelity | Fidelity Bitcoin Reference Rate |
| GBTC | Grayscale | CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX) |
| BITB | Bitwise | CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant |
| ARKB | 21Shares / ARK | FTSE Bitcoin Index |
| ETHA | BlackRock iShares | CME CF Ether Dollar Reference Rate - New York Variant |
11. Among the 4 newest bitcoin funds, one-year returns differ by 0.1 points
GBTC, the highest-fee fund, was 1.0 point below the best. GBTC’s 10-K says its objective is for share value to reflect bitcoin held “less the Trust’s expenses and other liabilities” (Form 10-K). This page does not test whether fees explain the difference (WealthyBud data · 5 bitcoin ETFs · October 2, 2026).
12. For context, bitcoin changed −28.6% from September 30, 2025 to October 1, 2026
Coinbase closes went from $118,659.97 to $84,759.64 (FRED CBBTCUSD, which notes “All data is as of 5 PM PST.”). Ether went from $4,350.52 to $2,702.32, or −37.9% (FRED CBETHUSD). These are facts about the coins, on their own dates, not a benchmark for the funds. The bitcoin statistics page shows CoinGecko’s −29.0%, a different source and time (WealthyBud data · 366 days · October 2, 2026).
When were spot crypto ETFs approved?
The SEC approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin ETPs on January 10, 2024, and spot ether ETPs on May 23, 2024. The bitcoin approval followed a court ruling on Grayscale’s proposal. The ether order covered eight proposed trusts, including the iShares Ethereum Trust.
13. January 10, 2024: the SEC approved spot bitcoin ETPs
In his statement that day, SEC Chair Gary Gensler wrote: “Today, the Commission approved the listing and trading of a number of spot bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) shares.” (SEC statement, Jan. 10, 2024).
14. May 23, 2024: the SEC approved eight ether-based ETP proposals
The SEC’s order, titled “Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Changes, as Modified by Amendments Thereto, to List and Trade Shares of Ether-Based Exchange-Traded Products,” says: “This order approves the Proposals on an accelerated basis.” It covers eight proposed trusts, including the iShares Ethereum Trust (Release No. 34-100224).
For the price record behind these funds, see bitcoin price history. Public companies that hold the coin directly are covered in bitcoin treasury companies.
How big are the largest crypto ETFs?
The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) reports net assets of $67,816,212,997 as of October 1, 2026, and the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) reports $9,914,806,662. That makes IBIT 6.8 times the size of ETHA. The dataset does not hold net assets for the other funds, so no wider ranking is made here.
15. IBIT: $67,816,212,997 in net assets as of October 1, 2026
The iShares page lists “Net Assets of Fund $67,816,212,997 as of Oct 01, 2026” and “Shares Outstanding 1,414,760,000 as of Oct 01, 2026” (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF). The ETHA page lists “Net Assets of Fund $9,914,806,662 as of Oct 01, 2026” (iShares Ethereum Trust ETF), so IBIT is 6.8 times larger by WealthyBud’s division.
What this means for investors
Fees, more than returns, separated the bitcoin funds. Their one-year returns sat within 1.0 point of each other, but fees ranged 7.5-fold: IBIT and FBTC charge 0.25%, and GBTC charges 1.50%.
Do not read GBTC’s long record as an ETF record. Its multi-year returns include years as a trust that traded away from NAV. Use the one-year figure to compare it with the others.
Treat the sample as short. Most funds have 33 month-end prices (27 for ETHA). See ETF statistics and the ETF hub for the wider category.
More ETFs statistics
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