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ETF Comparison

BLOX vs YBIT: Same Idea, Different Crypto Books

A head-to-head of Nicholas Crypto Income and YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income covering asset, cost, and cash.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Best for

  • BLOXInvestors who want crypto exposure that pays you along the way, not just price gains.
  • YBITInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 64.03%, 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

BLOX has outpaced YBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -5.10% total return against -26.25%. Measured from Jun 2025 — when the younger fund began trading — BLOX has compounded at 11.26% a year versus -18.03% for YBIT. YBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 37.6% 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-2.39%-5.10%11.26%57.7%-0.17-0.23-47.1%
YBIT-11.49%-26.25%-18.03%37.6%-0.93-1.22-47.5%

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.
MetricBLOXYBIT
Full nameNicholas Crypto Income ETFYieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF
IssuerNicholas Wealth ManagementYieldMax
Underlying indexBasket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies)Bitcoin
Last Close$14.30 as of September 4, 2026$21.36 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate35.60%64.03%
Distribution Safety Score™ 4368
Safety-Adjusted Yield 15.31%43.54%
Expense ratio0.99%1.02%
AUM$283M$45.7M
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 while providing indirect exposure to the share price of U.S.-listed bitcoin exchange-traded products, subject to a limit on potential gains.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/17/202504/22/2024
Beta3.11211.5424
Last dividend$0.0979$0.263 payable today
Ex-dividend date08/28/202609/03/2026

Bottom lineChoose BLOX if you want crypto exposure that pays you along the way, not just price gains. Choose YBIT if you want to maximize current income — roughly 64.03%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: YBIT's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while BLOX 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 YBIT 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 YBIT 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

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Income calculator

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

Nicholas Wealth Management
ETFs14
Total AUM$684M

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
YieldMax
ETFs61
Total AUM$9.48B

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 YBIT.

See all YieldMax ETFs

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Quick verdict

BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) and YBIT (YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

YBIT offers the higher yield at 64.03% vs 35.60% 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 1.02%.

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

BLOX is the larger fund by assets ($283M), 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 1.02% for YBIT.

Choose YBIT

YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — YBIT distributes roughly 64.03% from selling options premium, vs 35.60% for BLOX.
  • Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
  • 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 $296.67/month, while YBIT would produce $533.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

BLOX yield35.60%
YBIT yield64.03%
Monthly diff on $10K$236.92

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, BLOX would cost approximately $990 in fees vs $1,020 for YBIT (simplified, not compounded). The $30.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

BLOX ER0.99%
YBIT ER1.02%

Strategy & risk

BLOX tracks Basket (Equity portfolio focused on crypto-related companies) with an options approach, while YBIT is actively managed around Bitcoin exposure with a covered call approach. Beta is 3.1121 for BLOX and 1.5424 for YBIT, making YBIT the less volatile of the two by this measure.

BLOX beta3.1121
YBIT beta1.5424

Fund details

BLOX is managed by Nicholas Wealth Management (launched 06/17/2025) with $283M in assets. YBIT is managed by YieldMax (launched 04/22/2024) with $45.7M in assets.

BLOX AUM$283M
YBIT AUM$45.7M
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between BLOX and YBIT?

Both sell crypto upside for cash. BLOX (Nicholas Crypto Income ETF) and YBIT (YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF) sit on different books and overlays. Cost is 0.99% versus 1.02%; distributions are 35.60% and 64.03% as of September 2026. Compare the asset underneath and how much upside is sold.

What is the current distribution rate for BLOX and YBIT?

BLOX currently distributes 35.60% and YBIT 64.03%, 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 YBIT better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. YBIT 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.

Can I hold both BLOX and YBIT?

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 YBIT safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — YBIT scores 68, BLOX scores 43, so YBIT's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. YBIT has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.54 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 YBIT?

BLOX has an expense ratio of 0.99% while YBIT charges 1.02%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in BLOX would generate roughly $296.67 per month ($3,560.00 annually). The same in YBIT would produce about $533.58 per month ($6,403.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or YBIT?

BLOX has outpaced YBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -5.10% total return against -26.25%. Measured from Jun 2025 — when the younger fund began trading — BLOX has compounded at 11.26% a year versus -18.03% for YBIT. YBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 37.6% 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 YBIT — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

BLOX and YBIT are both crypto-focused ETFs using options strategies to generate weekly income, but they differ fundamentally in underlying exposure and mechanics. BLOX holds a basket of crypto-related equities—companies involved in mining, exchanges, and blockchain infrastructure—and uses options to extract income from that equity portfolio. YBIT, by contrast, gains indirect exposure to bitcoin itself through U.S.-listed bitcoin ETFs and employs a covered-call strategy that caps upside in exchange for steady option premium.

How they differ

The single biggest difference is underlying exposure. BLOX invests in crypto-adjacent stocks—miners, exchanges, wallet providers—giving it equity risk and a beta of 3.1121. YBIT holds bitcoin indirectly via ETF shares of bitcoin products and sells covered calls against that position, with a beta of 1.5424 reflecting bitcoin's inherent leverage but with capped upside. Third, YBIT is older and larger—launched 04/22/2024 with $45.7M in assets—whereas BLOX is 1 year old and holds $283M, meaning YBIT has more trading liquidity and track record but BLOX is newer to the options-income space.

Who each is best for

BLOX: Fits investors comfortable with concentrated crypto equity beta who want to participate in the sector's growth potential while harvesting option premium on a volatile, diversified holding. The weekly payout frequency appeals to those seeking regular cash flow without sacrificing exposure to crypto-company fundamentals.

YBIT: Designed for bitcoin believers who want to collect income from bitcoin appreciation without the principal volatility—or who are willing to accept capped gains in exchange for high weekly cash distributions and lower beta than holding bitcoin directly. Monthly or quarterly monitoring of NAV trends is prudent.

  • Covered-call cap on upside (YBIT). By selling calls on its bitcoin holdings each week, YBIT forgoes gains above the strike price. In a strong bull market, this synthetic income comes at the cost of meaningful capital appreciation—the tradeoff between current yield and future price growth is built into the structure. While BLOX's basket diversifies away single-company risk, the crypto equity sector moves together, so diversification across assets does not reduce crypto-specific drawdown risk.
  • Derivative roll and reset risk. Both funds reset options positions weekly. If implied volatility collapses or realized volatility diverges sharply from implied levels, the rolling income stream may shrink, and NAV may fall faster than the underlying asset in a drawdown.
  • Bitcoin ETF indirect exposure (YBIT). YBIT does not hold bitcoin directly; it holds shares of bitcoin ETFs and applies options. This adds a layer of fund-in-fund complexity and a small additional expense drag compared to direct bitcoin holdings.

Bottom line

If you want exposure to crypto equity fundamentals with moderate leverage and diversification across the sector, BLOX offers a reasonable entry point with meaningful but not extreme yield. If you want pure bitcoin income generation and are comfortable capping upside in exchange for a higher payout and lower equity beta, YBIT's concentrated approach and larger AUM make it the more established choice. Both carry significant NAV-erosion risk at their stated yields; neither is suitable for investors who cannot tolerate short-term NAV decline. 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.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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