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ETF Comparison

BITA vs BTCI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF and NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

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.

BITA has outpaced BTCI over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a 23.20% total return against 19.54%. 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.
SymbolSince Jun 2026Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
BITA23.20%30.9%2.524.42-7.3%
BTCI19.54%31.7%2.083.51-8.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jun 2026” measures every fund from June 17, 2026 — 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 shared window since Jun 2026. 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 shared window since Jun 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricBITABTCI
Full nameiShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETFNEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF
IssueriSharesNEOS
Underlying indexBitcoinBitcoin ETPs
Last Close$61.56 as of September 18, 2026$32.81 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate12.81%26.27%
Distribution Safety Score™ 5051
Safety-Adjusted Yield —13.40%
Expense ratio0.65%0.98%
AUM$87.2M$1.33B
Distribution frequencyMonthlyMonthly
ObjectiveSeeks bitcoin-linked exposure plus monthly premium income by holding a bitcoin investment and selling monthly call options against it in a covered call (buy-write) strategy.Seeks to generate high monthly income with potential appreciation through bitcoin exposure.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202610/16/2024
Beta—1.48
Last dividend$0.657$0.7184 payable today
Ex-dividend date09/02/202609/16/2026

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: BITA launched June 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional. What is already clear from the numbers above: the two do not cost the same — BITA charges 0.65% against 0.98% for BTCI, and on funds tracking the same thing that gap compounds every year you hold.

How the risk works

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

  • Capped upside and premium dependence. BITA and BTCI generate income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.
  • Crypto volatility. BITA and BTCI 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.

Learn the mechanics: Return of capital, explained · NAV erosion, explained

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Income calculator

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

iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4608B

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

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BITA.

See all iShares ETFs
NEOS
ETFs19
Total AUM$33.9B

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

NEOS is known for developing specialized income-focused ETFs that employ strategies like covered calls, hedging, and enhanced yields across various asset classes. The firm manages 19 funds organized into nine distinct families, including offerings in equity high income, fixed income enhancement, digital assets, and alternative strategies, with popular tickers like SPYI (S&P 500 covered call), QQQI (Nasdaq-100 covered call), and QQQH (Nasdaq-100 hedged equity income). NEOS distinguishes itself in the ETF landscape through its emphasis on income generation and downside protection strategies rather than traditional growth approaches.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BTCI.

See all NEOS ETFs

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Quick verdict

BITA (iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF) and BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BTCI offers the higher yield at 26.27% vs 12.81% for BITA. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

BITA is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.65% compared to 0.98%.

They have different reference exposures: BITA is linked to Bitcoin while BTCI is linked to Bitcoin ETPs, which means their performance drivers differ.

BTCI has $1.33B in assets vs $87.2M for BITA, but BITA only launched June 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, BITA would generate roughly $106.75/month, while BTCI would produce $218.92/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.

BITA yield12.81%
BTCI yield26.27%
Monthly diff on $10K$112.17

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BITA would cost approximately $650 in fees vs $980 for BTCI (simplified, not compounded). The $330.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BITA ER0.65%
BTCI ER0.98%

Strategy & risk

BITA tracks Bitcoin with a covered call approach, while BTCI tracks Bitcoin ETPs with a crypto approach.

BITA beta—
BTCI beta1.48

Fund details

BITA is managed by iShares (launched 06/17/2026) with $87.2M in assets. BTCI is managed by NEOS (launched 10/16/2024) with $1.33B in assets.

BITA AUM$87.2M
BTCI AUM$1.33B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for BITA and BTCI?

BITA currently distributes 12.81% and BTCI 26.27%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is BITA or BTCI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. BTCI currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between BITA and BTCI?

BITA (iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF) tracks Bitcoin with a covered call approach, while BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) tracks Bitcoin ETPs with a crypto approach. They are issued by iShares and NEOS respectively.

Can I hold both BITA and BTCI?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is BITA or BTCI safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: BTCI scores 51, BITA scores 50. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, BITA or BTCI?

BITA has an expense ratio of 0.65% while BTCI charges 0.98%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in BITA vs BTCI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in BITA would generate roughly $106.75 per month ($1,281.00 annually). The same in BTCI would produce about $218.92 per month ($2,627.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BITA or BTCI?

BITA has outpaced BTCI over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a 23.20% total return against 19.54%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

BITA vs BTCI — at a glance

Generated September 20, 2026.

BITA holds bitcoin exposure and sells monthly call options against it—a classic covered-call approach that caps upside in exchange for premium income.

How they differ

The defining difference is income generation method and yield magnitude. BITA's expenses run 0.65%, versus 0.98% for BTCI—a modest gap that widens when combined with their opposing yield profiles. BTCI's asset base stands at $1.33B, substantially larger than BITA's $87.2M.

Who each is best for

BITA: Fits investors seeking straightforward bitcoin exposure with monthly call premium, who accept that sold calls will cap gains in a rising market and prefer the simplicity and regulatory clarity of a covered-call wrapper around spot-like bitcoin holdings. At that payout level, the fund may be returning capital alongside investment gains, eroding NAV over extended periods unless bitcoin appreciation significantly outpaces distributions.

  • Covered-call cap on upside. BITA's sold calls limit profit capture in a strong bitcoin rally. If bitcoin rallies sharply, call exercise or rolling losses could force BITA holders to miss outsized gains compared to owning spot bitcoin outright. Disruption to those strategies or ETP liquidity could affect distribution stability.
  • Expense drag on volatile assets. Both funds charge fees on an asset class with no cash flow of its own. At 0.65% and 0.98%, respectively, expenses compete directly with price appreciation as the source of your return; in sideways or declining bitcoin markets, these costs compound opportunity drag. The smaller fund may face wider bid-ask spreads and liquidity constraints, particularly in stressed market conditions. Both carry the core risk that distributions exceeding natural bitcoin returns will erode principal over time—a dynamic to validate against your own expectations for bitcoin price appreciation. Past performance does not 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.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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