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 lagged IBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -24.90% total return against -24.87%. Measured from Jan 2024 — the start of shared available history — IBIT has compounded at 22.02% 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.
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. IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. IBIT 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.
Bottom lineARKB and IBIT 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%.
ARKB vs IBIT: two spot bitcoin trusts
Same asset, two issuers. Neither pays a distribution. Cost, size, and which wrapper you want are the live differences.
ARKB
IBIT
What it holds
Bitcoin in trust
Bitcoin in trust
Issuer
ARK 21Shares
iShares / BlackRock
Expense ratio
0.21%
0.25%
Fund size
$2.64B
$66.3B
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 IBIT 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.
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.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IBIT.
ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
ARKB is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.21% compared to 0.25%.
IBIT is the larger fund by assets ($66.3B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Still deciding? Track ARKB & IBIT for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
On a $10,000 investment, ARKB has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while IBIT has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.
ARKB yield—
IBIT yield—
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, ARKB would cost approximately $210 in fees vs $250 for IBIT (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
ARKB ER0.21%
IBIT ER0.25%
Strategy & risk
Both ARKB and IBIT 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 1.8887 for IBIT — effectively similar market sensitivity.
ARKB beta1.8783
IBIT beta1.8887
Fund details
ARKB is managed by ARK Invest (launched 01/10/2024) with $2.64B in assets. IBIT is managed by iShares (launched 01/11/2024) with $66.3B in assets.
Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IBIT and ARKB?
Both hold spot bitcoin in a trust. IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) is the iShares wrapper. ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) is ARK 21Shares. Bitcoin produces no income, so neither distributes. Cost is 0.25% versus 0.21%; size is $66.3B versus $2.64B as of October 2026. The decision is issuer, fee, and liquidity — not a yield race.
Which of ARKB or IBIT pays more dividend income?
Neither ARKB nor IBIT 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 IBIT?
Both ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) 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 iShares).
Can I hold both ARKB and IBIT?
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 IBIT?
ARKB has an expense ratio of 0.21% while IBIT 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 IBIT generate?
At current rates, ARKB does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. IBIT does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.
Which has performed better historically, ARKB or IBIT?
ARKB has lagged IBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -24.90% total return against -24.87%. Measured from Jan 2024 — the start of shared available history — IBIT has compounded at 22.02% a year versus 22.00% for ARKB. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
ARKB and IBIT are both spot bitcoin ETFs launched within a day of each other in January 2024, offering direct exposure to bitcoin's price movement without intermediaries or derivatives. Both charge low fees and neither distributes income, making them structurally similar but vastly different in size.
How they differ
The most significant difference is asset base. Neither fund pays distributions; both track bitcoin's spot price with similar beta readings (ARKB 1.8783, IBIT 1.8887), suggesting comparable responsiveness to bitcoin moves.
Who each is best for
ARKB: Fits investors who favor ARK's brand and research philosophy and are comfortable with a smaller, younger fund structure. Also suited for those with smaller positions or lower-friction access through certain broker platforms.
Key risks to know
Bitcoin price volatility. Both funds experience direct price swings tied to bitcoin's underlying volatility, which exceeds that of traditional equity and bond markets. The comparable betas (near 1.9) confirm this sensitivity.
Regulatory and custody risk. Bitcoin remains an unregulated asset class in many jurisdictions. Changes to U.S. or international policy, or loss of custody provider insurance or operational failure, could materially harm fund value.
Inception recency and track record. Both funds launched in January 2024 and have no extended performance history. Fee structures and fund closures of competing bitcoin products have varied; longevity cannot be assumed. If you value ARK's investment approach or seek a lower expense ratio, ARKB offers a 0.21% alternative. Both carry identical bitcoin exposure risk; your choice hinges on issuer preference, broker access, and position size. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio
See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.
