DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

BLOX vs GIAX: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Nicholas Crypto Income ETF and Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Best for

  • BLOXInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 32.84%, generated by selling options premium.
  • GIAXInvestors who are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout.

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

BLOX has lagged GIAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a -4.49% total return against 19.64%. Measured from Jun 2025 — when the younger fund began trading — GIAX has compounded at 20.44% a year versus 11.85% for BLOX. GIAX has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 26.3% 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.
SymbolYTD1YSince Jun 2025Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
BLOX-1.77%-4.49%11.85%57.7%-0.16-0.22-47.1%
GIAX15.58%19.64%20.44%26.3%0.510.71-19.6%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jun 2025” measures every fund from June 17, 2025 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricBLOXGIAX
Full nameNicholas Crypto Income ETFNicholas Global Equity and Income ETF
IssuerNicholas Wealth ManagementNicholas Wealth Management
Underlying indexBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)a basket of Nicholas Growth & Income Equity ETF holdings
Last Close$14.30 as of September 4, 2026$16.21 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate32.84%23.26%
Distribution Safety Score™ 4265
Safety-Adjusted Yield 13.79%15.12%
Expense ratio0.99%1.03%
AUM$310M$112M
Distribution frequencyWeeklyWeekly
ObjectiveSeeks to provide current income and capital appreciation through exposure to crypto-related companies with an options strategy generating weekly income distributions.GIAX is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks to generate current income and also capital appreciation. The Fund’s strategy includes two components: holding shares of unaffiliated passively managed ETFs that seek to provide exposure to a range of global equity securities and selling daily index credit call spreads on one or more US equity indexes.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202507/29/2024
Beta3.11211.5206
Last dividend$0.0903 declared, pays 09/08/2026$0.0725 declared, pays 09/08/2026
Ex-dividend date09/04/202609/04/2026

Bottom lineChoose BLOX if you want to maximize current income — roughly 32.84%, generated by selling options premium. Choose GIAX if you are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout. There's no free lunch: BLOX's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while GIAX keeps full price exposure.

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. BLOX and GIAX 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. BLOX sits 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.

ETFs14
Total AUM$716M

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 and GIAX.

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Quick verdict

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) and GIAX (Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BLOX offers the higher yield at 32.84% vs 23.26% for GIAX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

BLOX is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.99% compared to 1.03%.

They have different reference exposures: BLOX is linked to Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) while GIAX is linked to a basket of Nicholas Growth & Income Equity ETF holdings, which means their performance drivers differ.

BLOX is the larger fund by assets ($310M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose BLOX

Nicholas Crypto Income ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — BLOX distributes roughly 32.84% from selling options premium, vs 23.26% for GIAX.
  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.99% expense ratio vs 1.03% for GIAX.

Choose GIAX

Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF

  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.5 vs 3.1 for BLOX.

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, BLOX would generate roughly $273.67/month, while GIAX would produce $193.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

BLOX yield32.84%
GIAX yield23.26%
Monthly diff on $10K$79.83

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOX would cost approximately $990 in fees vs $1,030 for GIAX (simplified, not compounded). The $40.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOX ER0.99%
GIAX ER1.03%

Strategy & risk

BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while GIAX is actively managed around a basket of Nicholas Growth & Income Equity ETF holdings exposure with an options approach. Beta is 3.1121 for BLOX and 1.5206 for GIAX, making GIAX the less volatile of the two by this measure.

BLOX beta3.1121
GIAX beta1.5206

Fund details

BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $310M in assets. GIAX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 07/29/2024) with $112M in assets.

BLOX AUM$310M
GIAX AUM$112M

Enjoyed this page?

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 current distribution rate for BLOX and GIAX?

BLOX currently distributes 32.84% and GIAX 23.26%, 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 BLOX or GIAX 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.

What is the difference between BLOX and GIAX?

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while GIAX (Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF) is actively managed around a basket of Nicholas Growth & Income Equity ETF holdings exposure with an options approach. They are issued by Nicholas Wealth Management and Nicholas Wealth Management respectively.

Can I hold both BLOX and GIAX?

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 BLOX or GIAX safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — GIAX scores 65, BLOX scores 42, so GIAX's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. GIAX has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.52 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, BLOX or GIAX?

BLOX has an expense ratio of 0.99% while GIAX charges 1.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in BLOX would generate roughly $273.67 per month ($3,284.00 annually). The same in GIAX would produce about $193.83 per month ($2,326.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or GIAX?

BLOX has lagged GIAX over the trailing twelve months, posting a -4.49% total return against 19.64%. Measured from Jun 2025 — when the younger fund began trading — GIAX has compounded at 20.44% a year versus 11.85% for BLOX. GIAX has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 26.3% 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

BLOX vs GIAX — at a glance

Generated September 6, 2026.

Overview

BLOX and GIAX are both weekly-distribution ETFs from Nicholas Wealth Management that use options strategies to generate income from equity exposure. BLOX targets crypto-related companies with a 32.84% distribution rate and carries 3.1121 beta; GIAX holds a globally diversified equity basket and sells daily index call spreads for a 23.26% yield and 1.5206 beta. The core distinction is asset focus—concentrated crypto exposure versus broad global equities—and the mechanics of income generation: BLOX relies on options activity across crypto equities, while GIAX overlays a systematic call-spread strategy on diversified index exposure.

How they differ

BLOX's exposure is narrowly focused on cryptocurrency-related companies, while GIAX provides global equity diversification through holdings in multiple passively managed ETFs. This creates a fundamental risk profile gap: BLOX's 3.1121 beta reflects the outsized volatility of crypto equities, whereas GIAX's 1.5206 beta is closer to broad-market movement.

On yield mechanics, BLOX generates its 32.84% distribution rate through options activity on the crypto portfolio itself; GIAX achieves 23.26% by systematically selling daily index call spreads on U.S. equity indexes—a more structured, repeatable income process with less dependency on individual stock volatility. BLOX has $310M in assets and launched 1 year, while GIAX holds $112M and has been running 2 years. Both charge similar expense ratios—BLOX at 0.99% and GIAX at 1.03%—but the weekly distribution frequency matches across both.

Who each is best for

  • BLOX: Fits investors comfortable with crypto-sector concentration who are seeking aggressive current income and can tolerate sharp price swings tied to digital-asset market cycles.
  • GIAX: Designed for income-focused investors seeking global equity diversification who prefer a mechanical call-spread overlay to generate yield without betting on a single asset class.
  • Crypto sector concentration and volatility. BLOX's 3.1121 beta reflects amplified sensitivity to cryptocurrency sentiment swings, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic shifts tied to digital assets. A sustained crypto downturn could compress both NAV and options premium income simultaneously.
  • Call-spread cap on upside. GIAX's strategy of selling daily index call spreads limits the fund's ability to capture large gains in the underlying equity indexes; a strong bull market in U.S. equities would result in returns capped by the strike prices of the short calls.
  • Derivatives and leverage risk in a volatile regime. Both funds rely on options income that can evaporate during periods of low volatility or sharp drawdowns, and adverse index or stock moves could force call spreads (particularly in GIAX) to sustain losses that erode principal or require hedging adjustments.
  • Limited track records. BLOX has operated 1 year, and GIAX 2 years; neither fund has demonstrated performance through a full market cycle, making it difficult to assess how distributions will behave during different economic regimes.

Bottom line

If you want concentrated crypto exposure with aggressive current income, BLOX's high yield and focused strategy may appeal; if you prioritize diversified global equity exposure with a more systematic income overlay, GIAX's lower beta and call-spread mechanism offer a different risk-reward path. Both funds distribute at levels that warrant careful monitoring of their NAV trends over time. 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.

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.