ETF Comparison

ARKB vs FBTC: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 16, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

ARKB has outpaced FBTC over the trailing twelve months, posting a -24.90% total return against -24.92%. Measured from Jan 2024 — the start of shared available history — FBTC has compounded at 22.03% a year versus 22.00% for ARKB. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Symbol	YTD cumulative	1Y cumulative	Since Jan 2024	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
ARKB	-7.02%	-24.90%	22.00%	45.3%	-0.73	-1.01	-49.0%
FBTC	-7.06%	-24.92%	22.03%	45.2%	-0.73	-1.00	-49.1%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jan 2024” measures every fund from January 11, 2024 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Not a distribution payer

ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. ARKB is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield. FBTC (Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. FBTC is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	ARKB	FBTC
Full name	ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund
Issuer	ARK Invest	Fidelity Investments
Last Close	$27.00 as of October 16, 2026	$70.85 as of October 16, 2026
Distribution rate	—	—
Distribution Safety Score™	—	—
Expense ratio	0.21%	0.25%
AUM	$2.64B	$14.7B
Distribution frequency	None	None
Underlying index	Bitcoin	Bitcoin
Objective	Provides spot bitcoin exposure in an ETF wrapper.	Bitcoin spot exposure through an exchange-traded bitcoin fund structure.
Asset class	Currency	Currency
Inception date	01/10/2024	01/10/2024
Beta	1.8783	1.8779

Bottom lineARKB and FBTC are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar bitcoin spot exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: ARKB is cheaper at 0.21% vs 0.25%.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

Crypto volatility. ARKB and FBTC sit on top of crypto-asset prices, which routinely swing far more than equities. A single drawdown can exceed a year of distributions, so income projections deserve extra skepticism here.

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ARK Invest

ETFs14

Total AUM$17.6B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

ARK Invest is known for actively managed ETFs focused on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies across digital assets and innovation themes. The firm operates a lineup of 7 funds targeting growth-oriented investors, including popular tickers like ARKK (flagship innovation fund), ARKG (genomics), ARKW (web innovation), and ARKF (fintech), among others. ARK's funds are characterized by concentrated portfolios of high-conviction stock picks and a research-driven approach to identifying companies positioned to benefit from technological transformation.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ARKB.

See all ETFs from ARK Invest

Fidelity Investments

ETFs85

Total AUM$210B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Fidelity Investments is one of the largest asset managers globally and maintains a substantial presence in the ETF market with a diverse lineup spanning multiple investment strategies. Their offerings cover a wide spectrum of approaches including traditional dividend and income strategies, factor-based and thematic investing, international equity exposure, bond allocations, and index-tracking funds. The issuer is known for both broad market accessibility and specialized strategies, serving investors across various risk profiles and investment objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on FBTC.

See all ETFs from Fidelity Investments

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Quick verdict

ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) and FBTC (Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ARKB is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.21% compared to 0.25%.

FBTC is the larger fund by assets ($14.7B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, ARKB has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while FBTC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

ARKB yield—

FBTC yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, ARKB would cost approximately $210 in fees vs $250 for FBTC (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

ARKB ER0.21%

FBTC ER0.25%

Strategy & risk

Both ARKB and FBTC wrap Bitcoin with similar strategies (crypto and crypto). The practical differences are yield target, fee structure, and issuer track record — not the underlying mechanic. Beta is 1.8783 for ARKB and 1.8779 for FBTC — effectively similar market sensitivity.

ARKB beta1.8783

FBTC beta1.8779

Fund details

ARKB is managed by ARK Invest (launched 01/10/2024) with $2.64B in assets. FBTC is managed by Fidelity Investments (launched 01/10/2024) with $14.7B in assets.

ARKB AUM$2.64B

FBTC AUM$14.7B

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Frequently asked questions

Which of ARKB or FBTC pays more dividend income?

Neither ARKB nor FBTC currently reports a distribution yield, so neither is an income fund today. Compare them on holdings, cost, and total return instead.

What is the difference between ARKB and FBTC?

Both ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) and FBTC (Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund) track Bitcoin with similar approaches — the labels "crypto" and "crypto" describe closely related mechanics. The real differences show up in yield target (— vs —), expense ratio (0.21% vs 0.25%), and issuer (ARK Invest vs Fidelity Investments).

Can I hold both ARKB and FBTC?

You can, but expect significant overlap. Both funds use similar strategies on Bitcoin, so holding them together gives you two wrappers around effectively the same exposure — not true diversification. Weigh issuer, fee, and yield differences rather than treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, ARKB or FBTC?

ARKB has an expense ratio of 0.21% while FBTC charges 0.25%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in ARKB vs FBTC generate?

At current rates, ARKB does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. FBTC does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.

Which has performed better historically, ARKB or FBTC?

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ARKB vs FBTC — at a glance

Generated October 17, 2026.

Overview

ARKB and FBTC are both spot bitcoin ETFs launched on the same day, offering direct exposure to bitcoin's price movements without futures or derivatives. Both funds charge minimal fees and hold actual bitcoin, not synthetic instruments.

How they differ

The biggest difference is scale: FBTC has accumulated $14.7B compared to ARKB's $2.64B, a roughly 5.6x gap despite both launching on 01/10/2024. Both funds report essentially identical beta of around 1.88, reflecting their underlying bitcoin holdings. Neither fund pays distributions; both are designed as buy-and-hold vehicles where returns come entirely from bitcoin's price appreciation or depreciation.

Who each is best for

ARKB: Fits investors who prefer ARK's investment philosophy and brand recognition, or who may already hold other ARK-managed positions and value consolidated statement-keeping within the ecosystem.

FBTC: Designed for investors who prioritize established custodian infrastructure and Fidelity's broader platform integration, or who value the confidence that comes with a much larger asset base and longer track record within an institutional issuer.

Key risks to know

Bitcoin price volatility: Both funds move in lockstep with bitcoin's price swings. The reported beta of approximately 1.88 for each signals price sensitivity exceeding the broader market, and bitcoin itself exhibits wild intraday and multi-week ranges that can wipe out gains or trigger steep drawdowns.

Custody and operational risk: Spot bitcoin requires secure storage and institutional-grade custody. While both Fidelity and ARK have engaged reputable custodians, the risk of exchange failure, hacking, or civil litigation affecting bitcoin holdings, though remote, cannot be eliminated. Smaller asset bases (as with ARKB) may concentrate custody risk across fewer operational redundancies.

Regulatory uncertainty: Bitcoin and crypto-focused ETFs remain subject to evolving SEC and international regulatory scrutiny. Changes to custody standards, classification, or tax treatment could alter the funds' operations or tax efficiency. Recent regulatory shifts have already reshaped the spot-ETF landscape.

Redemption and liquidity risk: Though both ETFs are liquid, a sudden wave of redemptions in a market stress scenario could force the custodian to sell bitcoin rapidly or encounter operational delays, potentially affecting NAV stability for remaining shareholders.

Bottom line

If you value the simplicity of minimal fee spreads and identical underlying exposure, the 0.04% difference is immaterial to your decision — both funds charge below 0.30%. If scale and institutional confidence matter to you, FBTC's $14.7B asset base and Fidelity platform integration stand out; if you prefer ARK's investment approach or ecosystem familiarity, ARKB delivers the same core exposure. Past performance does not guarantee future results; bitcoin's price remains the dominant driver of returns for both.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.