DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of Nicholas Crypto Income ETF and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 8, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

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

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.

BLOX has outpaced IBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -33.24% total return against -33.56%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus -17.07% for IBIT. IBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 45.5% 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
BLOX-9.92%-33.24%3.85%57.7%-0.78-1.06-47.1%
IBIT-8.62%-33.56%-17.07%45.5%-1.00-1.36-52.5%

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.

Not a distribution payer

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.
MetricBLOXIBIT
Full nameNicholas Crypto Income ETFiShares Bitcoin Trust ETF
IssuerNicholas Wealth ManagementiShares
Underlying indexBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)Bitcoin
Last Close$12.89 as of October 8, 2026$46.26 as of October 8, 2026
Distribution rate38.73%—
Trailing 12-month yield47.40%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 44—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 17.04%—
Expense ratio0.99%0.25%
AUM$304M$67.6B
Distribution frequencyWeeklyNone
ObjectiveSeeks to provide current income and capital appreciation through exposure to crypto-related companies with an options strategy generating weekly income distributions.Provide exposure to bitcoin price performance through a physically backed trust structure.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202501/11/2024
Beta3.11211.8887
Last dividend$0.096—
Ex-dividend date10/02/2026—

Bottom lineChoose BLOX if you want to maximize current income — roughly 38.73%, generated by selling options premium. Choose IBIT if you want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for the long run. There's no free lunch: BLOX's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while IBIT 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 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.
  • Crypto volatility. BLOX 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.

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

Model this comparison:
Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

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

Nicholas Wealth Management
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.

See all Nicholas Wealth Management ETFs
iShares
ETFs467
Total AUM$4679B

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.

See all iShares ETFs

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.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BLOX currently shows a 38.73% distribution yield. IBIT has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

IBIT is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.25% compared to 0.99%.

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

IBIT is the larger fund by assets ($67.6B), 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 38.73% from selling options premium, while IBIT makes no distribution.
  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.

Choose IBIT

iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF

  • Want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for long-term appreciation, not income.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.25% expense ratio vs 0.99% for BLOX.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.9 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 $74.48 cash per distribution, while IBIT has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

BLOX yield38.73%
IBIT yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOX would cost approximately $990 in fees vs $250 for IBIT (simplified, not compounded). The $740.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOX ER0.99%
IBIT ER0.25%

Strategy & risk

BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while IBIT tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. Beta is 3.1121 for BLOX and 1.8887 for IBIT, making IBIT the less volatile of the two by this measure.

BLOX beta3.1121
IBIT beta1.8887

Fund details

BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $304M in assets. IBIT is managed by iShares (launched 01/11/2024) with $67.6B in assets.

BLOX AUM$304M
IBIT AUM$67.6B
Ready to act?
Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

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

Which of BLOX or IBIT pays more dividend income?

BLOX currently reports a distribution yield, while IBIT 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 BLOX and IBIT?

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. They are issued by Nicholas Wealth Management and iShares respectively.

Can I hold both BLOX and IBIT?

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.

Which has lower fees, BLOX or IBIT?

BLOX has an expense ratio of 0.99% 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 BLOX vs IBIT generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in BLOX would generate roughly $74.48 cash per distribution ($3,873.00 annually). IBIT does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or IBIT?

BLOX has outpaced IBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -33.24% total return against -33.56%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus -17.07% for IBIT. IBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 45.5% 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 IBIT — 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

BLOX and IBIT represent fundamentally different approaches to cryptocurrency exposure. The choice between them hinges on whether you seek pure bitcoin price exposure or income-focused allocation to the broader crypto industry. Beta also diverges sharply: IBIT's 1.8887 indicates moderate upside capture of crypto volatility, while BLOX's 3.1121 suggests it amplifies price swings—partly due to leverage embedded in its options strategy and the concentrated crypto-equity exposure.

Who each is best for

IBIT: Fits investors who want direct bitcoin price exposure without income distributions, prefer lower ongoing costs, and seek a tax-efficient way to hold spot bitcoin through a regulated trust structure.

BLOX: Designed for income-focused investors comfortable with significant volatility who prioritize weekly distributions over capital appreciation and have conviction that crypto-related equities will outperform while understanding that high payout rates may erode principal over time.

Key risks to know

  • NAV erosion at extreme distribution yields. BLOX's 38.73% yield far exceeds typical equity returns, implying that principal is likely being returned to shareholders as income; this structure may erode net asset value over multi-year holding periods unless underlying equities appreciate substantially.
  • Options strategy amplifies losses in downturns. BLOX's covered call approach caps upside during rallies but does not protect against sharp drops. The options overlay can result in rapid NAV declines when volatility spikes, particularly given the fund's 3.1121 beta relative to crypto assets.
  • Concentration in crypto-equity risk. BLOX's portfolio of crypto-related companies carries equity-specific risks—earnings misses, regulatory action against individual operators, and sector rotation—layered on top of cryptocurrency volatility. Holdings may overlap with bitcoin price exposure but introduce company-specific downside absent from IBIT.
  • Bitcoin price correlation. Both funds carry substantial sensitivity to bitcoin price moves. IBIT's direct exposure and BLOX's indirect equity exposure both decline sharply in crypto bear markets, so neither provides uncorrelated diversification within a portfolio already holding crypto.

Bottom line

If you want to own bitcoin directly with minimal fees and no distributions, IBIT offers a straightforward spot trust structure. If you need income and accept that weekly distributions may include return of capital, BLOX's options-based strategy on crypto equities provides a different profile—though at the cost of higher fees, extreme leverage, and meaningful NAV risk. Neither approach is superior; they serve distinct investor objectives. Past performance does not guarantee 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

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.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener

These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.