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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of Nicholas Crypto Income ETF and IncomeSTKd 1X Bitcoin & 1X Gold Premium ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • BLOXInvestors who want a covered-call overwrite written on the holdings themselves.
  • ISBGInvestors who want index call spreads structured for Section 1256 tax treatment.

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 ISBG over the shared window since Jan 2026, posting a -9.44% total return against -30.93%. BLOX has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 57.4% against 75.2% for ISBG. 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 Jan 2026Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
BLOX-9.44%57.4%-0.33-0.46-32.9%
ISBG-30.93%75.2%-0.77-1.03-59.2%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 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 Jan 2026” measures every fund from January 21, 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 Jan 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 Jan 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.
MetricBLOXISBG
Full nameNicholas Crypto Income ETFIncomeSTKd 1X Bitcoin & 1X Gold Premium ETF
IssuerNicholas Wealth ManagementQuantify Funds
Underlying indexBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)Bitcoin, Gold
Last Close$13.57 as of September 30, 2026$15.47 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate39.85%17.82%
Trailing 12-month yield45.55%14.26%
Distribution Safety Score™ 4370
Safety-Adjusted Yield 17.14%12.47%
Expense ratio0.99%1.14%
AUM$304M$8.40M
Distribution frequencyWeeklyWeekly
ObjectiveSeeks to provide current income and capital appreciation through exposure to crypto-related companies with an options strategy generating weekly income distributions.The Fund seeks to distribute high weekly income generated from investing in Bitcoin and Gold ETF options with a primary focus of Total Return.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202501/20/2026
Beta3.11213.0679
Last dividend$0.104$0.053
Ex-dividend date09/25/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose BLOX if you want a covered-call overwrite written on the holdings themselves. Choose ISBG if you want index call spreads structured for Section 1256 tax treatment. BLOX and ISBG 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.

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 ISBG 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 and ISBG 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.
  • Daily leverage reset. ISBG targets a multiple of the index's DAILY move, resetting every session. Over weeks and months the compounding of daily resets (volatility decay) can drag returns far below the stated multiple, especially in choppy markets — and losses are magnified the same way gains are.

Income calculator

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

ETFs14
Total AUM$725M

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.

ETFs3
Total AUM$65.6M

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

Quantify Funds operates a focused suite of three income-generating ETFs designed for investors seeking dividend and yield-oriented strategies. The firm's fund lineup, which includes tickers BTGD, ISBG, and ISSB, concentrates on the income category with an emphasis on systematic, rules-based approaches to dividend selection and covered call strategies. As a specialized niche player, Quantify Funds targets investors looking for alternatives to broader dividend ETF offerings through its streamlined portfolio of income-focused products.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ISBG.

Want to go deeper?

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Quick verdict

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) and ISBG (IncomeSTKd 1X Bitcoin & 1X Gold Premium ETF) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BLOX offers the higher yield at 39.85% vs 17.82% for ISBG. 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 1.14%.

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

BLOX is the larger fund by assets ($304M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose BLOX

Nicholas Crypto Income ETF

  • Want a covered-call overwrite on the stocks the fund holds.
  • Want to maximize current income — BLOX distributes roughly 39.85% from selling options premium, vs 17.82% for ISBG.
  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.99% expense ratio vs 1.14% for ISBG.

Choose ISBG

IncomeSTKd 1X Bitcoin & 1X Gold Premium ETF

  • Want index call spreads structured for Section 1256 tax treatment.
  • 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, BLOX would generate roughly $76.63 cash per distribution, while ISBG would produce $34.27 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

BLOX yield39.85%
ISBG yield17.82%
Cash diff on $10K$42.37

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOX would cost approximately $990 in fees vs $1,140 for ISBG (simplified, not compounded). The $150.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOX ER0.99%
ISBG ER1.14%

Strategy & risk

BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while ISBG tracks Bitcoin, Gold with an options approach. Beta is 3.1121 for BLOX and 3.0679 for ISBG — effectively similar market sensitivity.

BLOX beta3.1121
ISBG beta3.0679

Fund details

BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $304M in assets. ISBG is managed by Quantify Funds (launched 01/20/2026) with $8.40M in assets.

BLOX AUM$304M
ISBG AUM$8.40M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for BLOX and ISBG?

BLOX currently distributes 39.85% and ISBG 17.82%, 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 ISBG 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 ISBG?

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while ISBG (IncomeSTKd 1X Bitcoin & 1X Gold Premium ETF) tracks Bitcoin, Gold with an options approach. They are issued by Nicholas Wealth Management and Quantify Funds respectively.

Can I hold both BLOX and ISBG?

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 ISBG safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — ISBG scores 70, BLOX scores 43, so ISBG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. 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 ISBG?

BLOX has an expense ratio of 0.99% while ISBG charges 1.14%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in BLOX would generate roughly $76.63 cash per distribution ($3,985.00 annually). The same in ISBG would produce about $34.27 cash per distribution ($1,782.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or ISBG?

BLOX has outpaced ISBG over the shared window since Jan 2026, posting a -9.44% total return against -30.93%. BLOX has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 57.4% against 75.2% for ISBG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

BLOX vs ISBG — at a glance

Generated September 27, 2026.

Overview

BLOX and ISBG are both weekly-income ETFs using options strategies on crypto and commodity exposures, but they differ fundamentally in underlying asset and fund age. BLOX holds a basket of crypto-related equities and uses options overlay to generate its 39.85% distribution rate. ISBG takes direct exposure to Bitcoin and Gold through a derivative overlay strategy, targeting 17.82% income. Both launched recently and employ aggressive income harvesting; BLOX is the newer fund and carries significantly more assets.

How they differ

The biggest difference is asset exposure: BLOX invests in publicly listed crypto companies (miners, exchanges, infrastructure), while ISBG directly references Bitcoin and Gold through options contracts on those commodities. This matters because BLOX has equity-company risk (operational, regulatory, business-specific), whereas ISBG's returns track the underlying commodity prices more directly.

Second, BLOX's 39.85% yield is more than double ISBG's 17.82%, but comes with higher beta (3.1121 vs. 3.0679). BLOX's options program likely captures higher premium income from the more volatile equity names it covers. ISBG's lower yield reflects the lower volatility of its Bitcoin and Gold mix, though both remain highly volatile assets.

Finally, ISBG is substantially newer (01/20/2026) and has far smaller assets ($8.40M vs. $304M). BLOX's larger base offers more liquidity and established trading history, though neither fund has a multi-year track record to evaluate sustainability of distributions.

Who each is best for

BLOX: Fits investors with high risk tolerance who want weekly income from crypto sector equity exposure and can tolerate significant price swings in the underlying companies—mining stocks, exchange operators, and blockchain infrastructure plays.

ISBG: Fits investors seeking commodity-linked income (Bitcoin and Gold) through options income without holding the stocks themselves, accepting the trade-off of a lower yield and early-stage fund liquidity.

Key risks to know

  • NAV erosion at extreme yields. BLOX's 39.85% distribution rate likely requires ongoing return-of-capital treatment or relies on continued high options premium capture. If volatility compresses or the options program underperforms, the fund may experience significant NAV decline.
  • Options strategy concentration risk. Both funds depend entirely on their weekly options overlay to generate income. If implied volatility falls sharply, or if options markets widen spreads on crypto names (BLOX) or commodity derivatives (ISBG), premium collection could drop materially.
  • Crypto equity vs. commodity divergence. BLOX's underlying companies (miners, exchanges) can underperform the price of Bitcoin itself during rallies or crashes, because they carry operational leverage, regulatory risk, and balance-sheet volatility independent of crypto price. BLOX is also new but carries $304M, reducing this friction.

Bottom line

If you want exposure to crypto company fundamentals with a higher income target, BLOX's equity-basket approach and 39.85% yield appeal to higher-risk income seekers. If you prefer direct Bitcoin and Gold commodity exposure with a more measured yield (17.82%), ISBG removes the equity business risk but trades liquidity for simplicity. Both funds depend on sustaining elevated options premiums in volatile markets; neither has a long operating history to demonstrate whether their distribution rates can persist. 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.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.