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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of Nicholas Crypto Income ETF and YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated October 8, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • BLOXInvestors who want crypto exposure that pays you along the way, not just price gains.
  • ULTYInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 62.16%, 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.

BLOX has lagged ULTY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -33.24% total return against -7.67%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus 3.54% for ULTY. ULTY has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 22.4% 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%
ULTY12.00%-7.67%3.54%22.4%-0.56-0.72-24.2%

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, SEC yield and return of capital

MetricBLOXULTY
Forward distribution rate38.73%62.16%
Trailing 12-month yield47.40%96.25%
30-day SEC yield—-0.75%
Return of capital—8.80%

Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. Return of capital is the share of a recent distribution that was not income. 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 BLOX vs BTC-USD.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricBLOXULTY
Full nameNicholas Crypto Income ETFYieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF
IssuerNicholas Wealth ManagementYieldMax
Underlying indexBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)Basket (High Volatility stocks)
Last Close$12.89 as of October 8, 2026$25.23 as of October 8, 2026
Distribution rate38.73%62.16%
Trailing 12-month yield47.40%96.25%
30-day SEC yield—-0.75%
Distribution Safety Score™ 4450
Safety-Adjusted Yield 17.04%31.08%
Expense ratio0.99%1.40%
AUM$304M$714M
Distribution frequencyWeeklyWeekly
ObjectiveSeeks to provide current income and capital appreciation through exposure to crypto-related companies with an options strategy generating weekly income distributions.Actively managed fund that seeks weekly income from a rotating basket of U.S.-listed securities, using traditional and synthetic covered calls designed to produce higher income when the underlying holdings are more volatile.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202502/28/2024
Beta3.11211.3581
Last dividend$0.096$0.3016 payable today
Ex-dividend date10/02/202610/07/2026

Bottom lineChoose BLOX if you want crypto exposure that pays you along the way, not just price gains. Choose ULTY if you want to maximize current income — roughly 62.16%, generated by selling options premium. BLOX and ULTY 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 ULTY 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.
  • Daily leverage reset. ULTY 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.

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.

ETFs62
Total AUM$10.2B

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

YieldMax is known for specializing in options-based and income-focused ETFs that emphasize yield generation through covered call strategies and other income-producing methodologies. The firm operates a diverse lineup of 63 funds organized across multiple families including covered call strategies, 0DTE (zero days to expiration) options, double distribution approaches, and various target-date and performance-based portfolios designed to generate regular distributions. Notable offerings span popular underlying assets like major technology stocks and broad market indices, with a particular emphasis on providing enhanced income solutions for investors seeking regular cash flows through options strategies and other tactical approaches.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ULTY.

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 ULTY (YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ULTY offers the higher yield at 62.16% vs 38.73% for BLOX. 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 1.40%.

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

ULTY is the larger fund by assets ($714M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose BLOX

Nicholas Crypto Income ETF

  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.99% expense ratio vs 1.40% for ULTY.

Choose ULTY

YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — ULTY distributes roughly 62.16% from selling options premium, vs 38.73% for BLOX.
  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.4 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 ULTY would produce $119.54 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

BLOX yield38.73%
ULTY yield62.16%
Cash diff on $10K$45.06

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOX would cost approximately $990 in fees vs $1,400 for ULTY (simplified, not compounded). The $410.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOX ER0.99%
ULTY ER1.40%

Strategy & risk

BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while ULTY is actively managed around Basket (High Volatility stocks) exposure with a covered call approach. Beta is 3.1121 for BLOX and 1.3581 for ULTY, making ULTY the less volatile of the two by this measure.

BLOX beta3.1121
ULTY beta1.3581

Fund details

BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $304M in assets. ULTY is managed by YieldMax (launched 02/28/2024) with $714M in assets.

BLOX AUM$304M
ULTY AUM$714M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for BLOX and ULTY?

BLOX currently distributes 38.73% and ULTY 62.16%, 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 BLOX or ULTY better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. ULTY 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 ULTY?

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while ULTY (YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF) is actively managed around Basket (High Volatility stocks) exposure with a covered call approach. They are issued by Nicholas Wealth Management and YieldMax respectively.

Can I hold both BLOX and ULTY?

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 ULTY safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — ULTY scores 50, BLOX scores 44, so ULTY's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. ULTY has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.36 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 ULTY?

BLOX has an expense ratio of 0.99% while ULTY charges 1.40%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in BLOX would generate roughly $74.48 cash per distribution ($3,873.00 annually). The same in ULTY would produce about $119.54 cash per distribution ($6,216.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or ULTY?

BLOX has lagged ULTY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -33.24% total return against -7.67%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 3.85% a year versus 3.54% for ULTY. ULTY has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 22.4% 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 ULTY — 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 ULTY are both weekly-distribution ETFs using options strategies to generate income, but they target fundamentally different asset classes. BLOX focuses on cryptocurrency-related equities with a 38.73% distribution rate, while ULTY rotates through high-volatility U.S. stocks with a 62.16% distribution rate. The core distinction is exposure: BLOX captures crypto industry volatility; ULTY harvests volatility across a shifting basket of mainstream equities using synthetic covered calls.

How they differ

ULTY's distribution rate at 62.16% nearly doubles BLOX's 38.73%, a gap that reflects both ULTY's tighter focus on high-volatility equity baskets and the synthetic covered-call overlay designed to extract income during volatile swings. BLOX carries a crypto-sector beta of 3.1121 versus ULTY's 1.3581, meaning BLOX amplifies market moves significantly more—a reflection of cryptocurrency's structural volatility compared to listed U.S. equities.

Who each is best for

BLOX: Fits investors seeking direct exposure to crypto-sector volatility and willing to tolerate extreme price swings in exchange for weekly income sourced from an emerging, illiquid asset class with limited historical optionality data.

ULTY: Designed for income-focused investors comfortable harvesting volatility from established U.S. equities on a weekly schedule, where option premiums can be reliably generated and where a rotating basket helps reduce single-name concentration. At these levels, the funds are likely paying out more than underlying holdings generate, meaning per-share NAV may decline even if holdings appreciate.

  • Cryptocurrency-sector concentration and liquidity risk (BLOX). Crypto-related equities are a narrow, speculative subsector with limited trading history and regulatory uncertainty. Option strategies built on this base may not behave as expected during market dislocations or regulatory shifts.
  • Options and synthetic covered-call timing risk (both). Weekly-income generation depends on selling options that collect premium. If underlying volatility collapses, premium shrinks sharply, reducing distributions. Conversely, if underlying holdings gap significantly higher, the funds may be forced to deliver shares at below-market prices, capping upside.
  • Extreme beta and price sensitivity (BLOX). A beta of 3.1121 means BLOX can amplify losses rapidly in downturns. This magnified leverage, combined with weekly distributions that rely on ongoing premium, creates a risk of accelerating NAV decline if crypto volatility spikes in the wrong direction.
  • Basis risk in rotating-basket approach (ULTY). ULTY rotates holdings actively to chase volatility. This introduces tracking error relative to any single index and may trigger higher internal churn, though the impact is obscured by the options overlay.

Bottom line

If your priority is crypto-sector exposure with a weekly income component, BLOX offers that directly—but at a 38.73% yield that almost certainly relies on shrinking NAV. If you prefer harvesting volatility from mainstream U.S. equities on a mechanistic schedule, ULTY's 62.16% yield and 1.3581 beta suggest more sustainable income extraction, though the 1.40% fee and active rotation add operational costs. Both funds carry concentration risk specific to their options overlay; the tradeoff is asset-class exposure versus yield sustainability. 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.