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ETF Comparison

BLOK vs DAPP: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF and VanEck Digital Transformation ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated November 6, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • BLOKInvestors who want higher current income (0.99% paid over the past 12 months while DAPP makes no distribution).
  • DAPPInvestors who want straightforward crypto exposure for the long run.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Price and total return

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Distribution Safety Score

An estimate of distribution reliability, not price or principal safety, a probability, or a guarantee. Score methodology.

BLOK

41/ 100

Caution

Limited data

DAPP

—

Not rated

No published distribution safety rating is available.

Score snapshot as of . Method 1.11.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricBLOKDAPP
Full nameAmplify Blockchain Technology ETFVanEck Digital Transformation ETF
IssuerAmplify ETFsVanEck
Last Close$49.22 as of November 6, 2026$13.63 as of November 6, 2026
Distribution rate0.16%—
Trailing 12-month yield0.99%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 41—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.07%—
Expense ratio0.70%0.52%
AUM$888M$222M
Distribution frequencyAnnualNone
Underlying indexActively managed (no tracked index recorded)MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index
ObjectiveActively managed fund investing at least 80% of assets in equities of companies actively involved in the development and utilization of blockchain technologies, spanning crypto miners, exchanges, and enablers. Renamed from the Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF in October 2025.Seeks to track, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of an index of companies that are positioned to benefit from the digital transformation of the economy, including digital asset infrastructure and blockchain technology companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date01/16/201804/12/2021
Beta2.473.76
Last dividend$0.07985—
Ex-dividend date06/29/202612/23/2024

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.

BLOK has outpaced DAPP over the trailing twelve months, posting a -29.86% total return against -45.39%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: BLOK has compounded at -0.45% a year, against -14.31% for DAPP. BLOK has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 41.4% against 70.1% for DAPP. 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 cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualizedSince Apr 2021Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
BLOK-16.07%-29.86%32.50%-0.45%0.89%41.4%0.580.84-35.6%
DAPP-21.48%-45.39%29.32%-14.31%-13.54%70.1%0.310.45-58.9%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of November 5, 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 Apr 2021” measures every fund from April 14, 2021 — 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 trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — 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

DAPP (VanEck Digital Transformation ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. DAPP is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Bottom lineChoose BLOK if you want higher current income (0.99% paid over the past 12 months while DAPP makes no distribution). Choose DAPP if you want straightforward crypto exposure for the long run.

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. BLOK and DAPP 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.

Income calculator

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

ETFs47
Total AUM$16.5B

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

Amplify ETFs is known for offering specialized, thematic investment solutions across diverse market segments including digital assets, commodities, and dividend strategies. The issuer's lineup spans multiple fund families covering income-focused strategies, covered call approaches, commodity exposure, and thematic sectors such as cybersecurity, blockchain, gaming, and sustainable investing. Notable for tickers like BLOK (blockchain), HACK (cybersecurity), and DIVO (dividend), Amplify combines traditional income strategies with alternative themes and emerging asset classes, appealing to investors seeking both yield and exposure to innovation-driven sectors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BLOK.

ETFs86
Total AUM$156B

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

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across a broad range of asset classes, from traditional equities and fixed income to alternatives and digital assets. The firm's lineup encompasses income-focused funds, sector strategies, commodity exposure, municipal bonds, and innovative thematic products covering areas like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and emerging markets. VanEck serves both income-oriented and growth-focused investors with a diversified product suite that extends beyond conventional equity and bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DAPP.

Quick verdict

BLOK (Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF) and DAPP (VanEck Digital Transformation ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BLOK has paid a 0.99% yield over the past 12 months. DAPP has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

DAPP is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.52% compared to 0.70%.

BLOK is the larger fund by assets ($888M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose BLOK

Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF

  • Want higher current income — BLOK yields 0.99% paid over the past 12 months while DAPP makes no distribution.
  • Want straightforward crypto exposure for long-term appreciation, not income.
  • Prefer lower market sensitivity — a beta of 2.47 vs 3.76 for DAPP.

Choose DAPP

VanEck Digital Transformation ETF

  • Want straightforward crypto exposure for long-term appreciation, not income.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.52% expense ratio vs 0.70% for BLOK.

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

Top-holdings overlap

Positions that appear in every fund's top 10. Issuers disclose only the largest weights, so this captures the overlap of the concentrated end of each book — not the full portfolios.

3 shared positions
BLOK 9.2% of its top-10 weight
DAPP 18.4% of its top-10 weight
PositionBLOKDAPP
XYZ Block, Inc
2.93%
9.58%
HUT Hut 8 Corp. Common Stock
3.01%
4.71%
WULF Terawulf Inc
3.27%
4.15%
Holdings as-of dates unavailable · mode DIRECT (top 10)

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment at the rates paid over the past 12 months, BLOK would pay about $99.00 a year, while DAPP has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available.

BLOK 12-month yield0.99%
DAPP yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOK would cost approximately $700 in fees vs $520 for DAPP (simplified, not compounded). The $180.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOK ER0.70%
DAPP ER0.52%

Strategy & risk

BLOK is an actively managed ETF, while DAPP tracks MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index with a crypto approach. Beta is 2.47 for BLOK and 3.76 for DAPP, making BLOK the less sensitive to market moves of the two by this measure.

BLOK beta2.47
DAPP beta3.76

Fund details

BLOK is managed by Amplify ETFs (launched 01/16/2018) with $888M in assets. DAPP is managed by VanEck (launched 04/12/2021) with $222M in assets.

BLOK AUM$888M
DAPP AUM$222M

Frequently asked questions

Which of BLOK or DAPP pays more dividend income?

BLOK currently reports a distribution yield, while DAPP has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between BLOK and DAPP?

BLOK (Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF) is an actively managed ETF, while DAPP (VanEck Digital Transformation ETF) tracks MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index with a crypto approach. They are issued by Amplify ETFs and VanEck respectively.

Can I hold both BLOK and DAPP?

Yes. Their disclosed top-10 holdings share only 3 positions, so combining both adds mostly distinct underlying names — see the holdings-overlap section above. Overlap outside the disclosed top 10 can still exist.

Which has lower fees, BLOK or DAPP?

BLOK has an expense ratio of 0.70% while DAPP charges 0.52%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in BLOK vs DAPP generate?

At the rates paid over the past 12 months, $10,000 in BLOK would pay about $99.00 a year. DAPP does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.

Which has performed better historically, BLOK or DAPP?

BLOK has outpaced DAPP over the trailing twelve months, posting a -29.86% total return against -45.39%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: BLOK has compounded at -0.45% a year, against -14.31% for DAPP. BLOK has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 41.4% against 70.1% for DAPP. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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BLOK vs DAPP — at a glance

Generated November 1, 2026.

Overview

BLOK and DAPP both offer equity exposure to blockchain and digital-asset-related companies, but they differ fundamentally in structure and approach. BLOK is an actively managed fund that allocates at least 80% of assets to crypto miners, exchanges, and blockchain enablers; DAPP is an index-tracking ETF that follows the MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index. The two funds carry very different risk profiles and cost structures despite serving the same thematic space.

How they differ

The biggest difference is management style: BLOK employs active managers who select blockchain-related stocks, while DAPP simply replicates an index. On volatility, DAPP's beta of 3.76 significantly exceeds BLOK's 2.47, meaning DAPP amplifies market swings more sharply.

Who each is best for

  • BLOK: Fits investors who believe active management can navigate the fast-moving blockchain ecosystem and who prefer at least nominal annual income, even at a very low rate, and are willing to pay slightly higher fees for discretionary stock selection.
  • DAPP: Designed for investors seeking pure index exposure to digital-asset companies and who prefer lower fees and zero distributions to defer tax realization in a highly volatile, growth-oriented sector. Blockchain and crypto equities are highly correlated with broad tech and sentiment swings.
  • Sector concentration and regulatory uncertainty: Both funds concentrate in blockchain infrastructure and crypto-adjacent companies, which face evolving regulatory scrutiny globally. A major regulatory crackdown could materially impair valuations across the entire holdings set.
  • Active-management underperformance risk: BLOK's active selection may underperform its benchmark or the index tracked by DAPP, especially if market conditions favor passive, broad-based exposure over stock picking in a sector where many participants operate at early-revenue stages.
  • Crypto-miner earnings volatility: A significant portion of both funds' underlying holdings are crypto miners whose profitability depends on volatile crypto prices and energy costs. A sustained bear market in cryptocurrency could severely compress earnings and valuations across both funds. Be aware that DAPP's significantly higher beta means substantially larger swings in both directions. 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.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.