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ETF Comparison

BITO vs BLOX: A Bitcoin Futures Fund, or Crypto-Stock Income?

A head-to-head of ProShares Bitcoin Strategy and Nicholas Crypto Income covering what each owns and how cash is produced.

Updated October 8, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • BITOInvestors who want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for the long run.
  • BLOXInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 38.73%, generated by selling options premium.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

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.

BITO has lagged BLOX over the trailing twelve months, posting a -35.74% total return against -33.24%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus -20.04% for BITO. BITO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 45.2% against 57.7% for BLOX. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulativeSince Jun 2025Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
BITO-10.77%-35.74%-20.04%45.2%-1.08-1.47-53.6%
BLOX-9.92%-33.24%3.85%57.7%-0.78-1.06-47.1%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 9, 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 Jun 2025” measures every fund from June 17, 2025 — 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.

Distribution rate and SEC yield

MetricBITOBLOX
Forward distribution rate1.91%38.73%
Trailing 12-month yield22.59%47.40%
30-day SEC yield0.31%—

Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.

Total return against the stated underlying is on BITO vs IBIT, BLOX vs BTC-USD.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricBITOBLOX
Full nameProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETFNicholas Crypto Income ETF
IssuerProSharesNicholas Wealth Management
Underlying indexBitcoin FuturesBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)
Last Close$10.93 as of October 8, 2026$12.89 as of October 8, 2026
Distribution rate1.91%38.73%
Trailing 12-month yield22.59%47.40%
30-day SEC yield0.31%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 3844
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.73%17.04%
Expense ratio0.95%0.99%
AUM$1.71B$304M
Distribution frequencyMonthlyWeekly
ObjectiveSeeks total return through managed exposure to bitcoin futures contracts rather than direct bitcoin holdings, maintaining that futures position through rising, flat and declining markets.Seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation through exposure to crypto-related companies with an options strategy generating weekly income distributions.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date10/18/202106/17/2025
Beta1.87783.1121
Last dividend$0.01738$0.096
Ex-dividend date10/01/202610/02/2026

Bottom lineChoose BITO if you want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for the long run. Choose BLOX if you want to maximize current income — roughly 38.73%, generated by selling options premium. BITO and BLOX both use option or derivative overlays. Their tradeoff is the underlying exposure, how each option strategy is implemented, and the yield each targets; either overlay can limit upside participation, so neither offers uncapped price exposure.

Bitcoin futures versus crypto-stock income

BITO holds bitcoin futures. BLOX writes options on crypto-related stocks. Wrapper is the live difference.

BITOBLOX
WrapperBitcoin futuresCrypto-stock option income
Expense ratio0.95%0.99%
Distribution rate1.91%38.73%
Fund size$1.71B$304M

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. BITO and BLOX 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.
  • Capped upside and premium dependence. BLOX generates 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.

Income calculator

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

ETFs170
Total AUM$129B

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

ProShares is known for offering leveraged and inverse ETFs that provide amplified exposure to market movements, along with thematic and income-focused strategies. Their fund lineup spans digital assets (including Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure through BITO and EETH), dividend strategies like the Dividend Aristocrats fund (NOBL), covered call income strategies, and leveraged/inverse products that track major indices with 2x or 3x daily multipliers (such as SSO and TQQQ for tech-heavy portfolios). With 23 ETFs across specialized families including leveraged products, money market funds, and sector-specific offerings, ProShares serves investors seeking both traditional income and alternative exposure strategies.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BITO.

ETFs15
Total AUM$736M

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

Nicholas Wealth Management is known for offering specialized ETFs across digital assets, income generation, and thematic investing strategies. Their fund lineup spans emerging asset classes including cryptocurrency and blockchain exposure, traditional income-focused strategies, and sector-specific themes ranging from nuclear energy to nightlife, appealing to investors seeking both alternative investments and targeted sector exposure. The issuer maintains a focused but diversified portfolio of tickers that caters to both conventional income seekers and those pursuing niche, forward-looking investment themes.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BLOX.

Want to go deeper?

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Quick verdict

BITO (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) and BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BLOX offers the higher yield at 38.73% vs 1.91% for BITO. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

BITO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.95% compared to 0.99%.

They have different reference exposures: BITO is linked to Bitcoin Futures while BLOX is linked to Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies), which means their performance drivers differ.

BITO is the larger fund by assets ($1.71B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose BITO

ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF

  • Want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for long-term appreciation, not income.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.95% expense ratio vs 0.99% for BLOX.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.9 vs 3.1 for BLOX.

Choose BLOX

Nicholas Crypto Income ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — BLOX distributes roughly 38.73% from selling options premium, vs 1.91% for BITO.
  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, BITO would generate roughly $15.92 cash per distribution, while BLOX would produce $74.48 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.

BITO yield1.91%
BLOX yield38.73%
Cash diff on $10K$58.56

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BITO would cost approximately $950 in fees vs $990 for BLOX (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BITO ER0.95%
BLOX ER0.99%

Strategy & risk

BITO tracks Bitcoin Futures with a crypto approach, while BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach. Beta is 1.8778 for BITO and 3.1121 for BLOX, making BITO the less volatile of the two by this measure.

BITO beta1.8778
BLOX beta3.1121

Fund details

BITO is managed by ProShares (launched 10/18/2021) with $1.71B in assets. BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $304M in assets.

BITO AUM$1.71B
BLOX AUM$304M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between BITO and BLOX?

BITO (ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF) holds bitcoin futures. BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) writes options on crypto-related stocks. One is a futures wrapper; the other is an equity-income overlay. Cost is 0.95% versus 0.99%. Distributions are 1.91% and 38.73% as of October 2026. Wrapper, not a one-date yield, is the split.

What is the current distribution rate for BITO and BLOX?

BITO currently distributes 1.91% and BLOX 38.73%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is BITO or BLOX better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. BLOX 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.

Can I hold both BITO and BLOX?

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 BITO or BLOX safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — BLOX scores 44, BITO scores 38, so BLOX's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. BITO has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.88 vs 3.11 for BLOX). 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, BITO or BLOX?

BITO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while BLOX charges 0.99%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in BITO vs BLOX generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in BITO would generate roughly $15.92 cash per distribution ($191.00 annually). The same in BLOX would produce about $74.48 cash per distribution ($3,873.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BITO or BLOX?

BITO has lagged BLOX over the trailing twelve months, posting a -35.74% total return against -33.24%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus -20.04% for BITO. BITO has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 45.2% against 57.7% for BLOX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

BITO vs BLOX — at a glance

Generated October 4, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

BITO and BLOX both offer crypto-linked exposure through ETFs, but they target different objectives and asset classes. BITO tracks bitcoin futures contracts directly, delivering managed exposure to bitcoin's price movement without owning bitcoin outright. BLOX holds a basket of equity securities in crypto-related companies and layers on a weekly options strategy to generate high current income. The two funds differ fundamentally in underlying, distribution strategy, volatility profile, and risk structure.

How they differ

BITO's core strategy is futures-based: it holds bitcoin futures contracts to approximate bitcoin's total return, with a 1.8778 beta. BLOX, by contrast, invests in equities of crypto-adjacent companies and overlays a weekly options income strategy, carrying a much higher 3.1121 beta of 3.1121.

The yield profiles diverge sharply. BITO distributes 1.91% annually, paid monthly. BLOX distributes 38.73% annually, paid weekly—a difference driven entirely by its options-overlay mechanics and not by superior underlying performance.

Fee structures are nearly identical at 0.95% and 0.99%. BITO holds $1.71B in assets, substantially larger than BLOX's $304M. BITO's 4 years-year track record contrasts with BLOX's inception on 06/17/2025, offering no historical performance reference for BLOX's strategy.

Who each is best for

BITO: Fits investors seeking direct price exposure to bitcoin through a regulated futures vehicle, with moderate income expectations and tolerance for significant volatility tied to bitcoin's price swings.

BLOX: Fits investors wanting leverage to crypto industry equities combined with weekly cash distributions, and who understand that high yield often reflects options premium extraction and near-term capital erosion rather than underlying growth.

Key risks to know

  • NAV erosion at extreme distribution yields. BLOX's 38.73% annualized payout rate is unsustainable from underlying equity returns alone; it relies heavily on options premium and potential return-of-capital mechanics, which erode net asset value over time and compress total return.
  • High beta and leverage risk. BLOX's beta of 3.1121 versus BITO's 1.8778 indicates BLOX amplifies both gains and losses in the underlying crypto equity basket; sharp downturns in tech or crypto stocks will hit harder, and may force options assignment or early exit at unfavorable prices.
  • Derivatives and liquidity mismatch. BITO relies on rolling futures positions continuously; backwardation or contango in bitcoin futures curves can drag on returns if futures prices diverge from spot bitcoin. BLOX's weekly options writing exposes holders to gap risk and early assignment, especially in volatile markets.
  • Nascent fund with no historical stress test. BLOX launched in mid-2025; it has no track record through a crypto downturn, equity correction, or options volatility spike. Weekly distributions and options mechanics have not been tested in a sustained bear market.

Bottom line

If you want direct bitcoin futures exposure with a longer operating history and moderate income, BITO's futures-based approach and established AUM offer transparency and simplicity. If you seek maximum near-term income from crypto equity upside and can tolerate weekly distributions funded partly by principal erosion and high volatility, BLOX's options overlay is built for that trade. Past performance does not predict future results; BLOX's lack of historical stress testing warrants careful scrutiny before committing capital to weekly options-driven payouts.

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.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.