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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 18, 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 67.86%, 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.

BLOX has outpaced YBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -12.67% total return against -28.23%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 13.34% a year versus -17.27% for YBIT. YBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 38.0% against 58.3% 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
BLOX0.31%-12.67%13.34%58.3%-0.31-0.43-47.1%
YBIT-11.14%-28.23%-17.27%38.0%-0.99-1.31-47.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 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 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.

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$14.40 as of September 18, 2026$20.84 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate32.72%67.86%
Distribution Safety Score™ 4267
Safety-Adjusted Yield 13.74%45.47%
Expense ratio0.99%1.02%
AUM$314M$46.1M
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$0.0906 declared, pays 09/21/2026$0.272 payable today
Ex-dividend date09/18/202609/17/2026

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 67.86%, generated by selling options premium. BLOX and YBIT 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 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.

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.

ETFs61
Total AUM$9.59B

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.

Want to go deeper?

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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 67.86% vs 32.72% 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 ($314M), 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 67.86% from selling options premium, vs 32.72% 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 $272.67/month, while YBIT would produce $565.50/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

BLOX yield32.72%
YBIT yield67.86%
Monthly diff on $10K$292.83

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 $314M in assets. YBIT is managed by YieldMax (launched 04/22/2024) with $46.1M in assets.

BLOX AUM$314M
YBIT AUM$46.1M

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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 32.72% and 67.86% 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 32.72% and YBIT 67.86%, 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 67, BLOX scores 42, 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 $272.67 per month ($3,272.00 annually). The same in YBIT would produce about $565.50 per month ($6,786.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, BLOX or YBIT?

BLOX has outpaced YBIT over the trailing twelve months, posting a -12.67% total return against -28.23%. Measured from Jun 2025 — the start of shared available history — BLOX has compounded at 13.34% a year versus -17.27% for YBIT. YBIT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 38.0% against 58.3% 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 20, 2026.

Overview

BLOX and YBIT are both weekly-income ETFs using options strategies to generate distributions from cryptocurrency exposure, but they target fundamentally different underlying assets. The key distinction is direct equity diversification versus single-asset synthetic income.

How they differ

YBIT's 67.86% distribution rate is more than double BLOX's 32.72%, reflecting the higher leverage and tighter cap on upside that a covered-call strategy on a single volatile asset imposes. YBIT has a beta of 1.5424, roughly half of BLOX's 3.1121, indicating BLOX's equity holdings amplify volatility relative to the broader market; YBIT's lower beta reflects that covered calls dampen upside capture. YBIT is also significantly smaller, with $46.1M in assets compared to $314M, and slightly newer, having launched 04/22/2024 versus 06/17/2025. Expense ratios are nearly identical at 0.99% and 1.02%.

Who each is best for

BLOX: Fits investors who believe in the long-term growth of cryptocurrency-adjacent businesses and want weekly income without capping their upside if those holdings rally. Suits those with higher risk tolerance and a longer time horizon who can weather the equity volatility embedded in a basket of crypto-company stocks.

YBIT: Designed for investors seeking aggressive current income from bitcoin exposure who are willing to accept a ceiling on capital gains in exchange for a capped-upside, lower-volatility structure. Fits those with near-term cash-flow needs and less conviction about sharp bitcoin appreciation.

  • Covered-call cap on YBIT gains: YBIT's weekly covered calls limit upside participation if bitcoin rallies sharply. In strong bull markets, the opportunity cost of that capped gain can be material.
  • Equity-company and sector concentration in BLOX: BLOX's crypto-company basket introduces company-specific risk, regulatory risk around exchanges and miners, and potential correlation with broader equity markets during downturns. Holdings may overlap significantly with each other.
  • Bitcoin price-discovery and derivative risk in YBIT: YBIT depends on the prices of bitcoin ETPs, which themselves hold bitcoin. Structural risks in those underlying products or in the bitcoin custody ecosystem could cascade into YBIT's NAV.
  • High beta volatility in BLOX: With a beta of 3.1121, BLOX amplifies market moves substantially, making its weekly distributions more vulnerable to equity-market selloffs than a lower-beta income strategy would be.

Bottom line

If you prioritize maximum current income and are comfortable with capped upside, YBIT's 67.86% yield and covered-call structure stand out; if you want full capital-appreciation potential and are willing to accept lower yield in exchange, BLOX's direct equity exposure offers that. Both carry severe NAV-erosion risk at these distribution rates—neither is designed to preserve principal long-term.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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