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.
BTCI has lagged XBCI over the shared window since Feb 2026, posting a 5.46% total return against 7.97%. BTCI has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 40.6% against 60.0% for XBCI. 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.
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 Feb 2026” measures every fund from February 3, 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 Feb 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 Feb 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Distribution rate and SEC yield
Metric
BTCI
XBCI
Forward distribution rate
25.54%
36.55%
Trailing 12-month yield
30.03%
25.65%
30-day SEC yield
1.35%
1.12%
Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.
Seeks to generate high monthly income with potential appreciation through bitcoin exposure.
“The NEOS Boosted Bitcoin High Income ETF (the ‘Fund’) seeks to boost performance by generating
high monthly income with the potential for appreciation based on exposure to exchange‑traded
products (‘ETPs’) that have direct exposure to Bitcoin.”
Bottom lineChoose BTCI if you want crypto exposure that pays you along the way, not just price gains. Choose XBCI if you want to maximize current income — roughly 36.55%, generated by selling options premium. BTCI and XBCI 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. BTCI and XBCI 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. BTCI and XBCI 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. XBCI 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.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
NEOS is known for developing specialized income-focused ETFs that employ strategies like covered calls, hedging, and enhanced yields across various asset classes. The firm manages 19 funds organized into nine distinct families, including offerings in equity high income, fixed income enhancement, digital assets, and alternative strategies, with popular tickers like SPYI (S&P 500 covered call), QQQI (Nasdaq-100 covered call), and QQQH (Nasdaq-100 hedged equity income). NEOS distinguishes itself in the ETF landscape through its emphasis on income generation and downside protection strategies rather than traditional growth approaches.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on BTCI and XBCI.
BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) and XBCI (NEOS Boosted Bitcoin High Income ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
XBCI offers the higher yield at 36.55% vs 25.54% for BTCI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
They have different reference exposures: BTCI is linked to Bitcoin ETPs while XBCI is linked to Bitcoin, which means their performance drivers differ.
BTCI is the larger fund by assets ($1.38B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose BTCI
NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF
Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.5 vs 2.3 for XBCI.
Choose XBCI
NEOS Boosted Bitcoin High Income ETF
Want to maximize current income — XBCI distributes roughly 36.55% from selling options premium, vs 25.54% for BTCI.
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.
Still deciding? Track BTCI & XBCI for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
On a $10,000 investment, BTCI would generate roughly $212.83 cash per distribution, while XBCI would produce $304.58 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
BTCI yield25.54%
XBCI yield36.55%
Cash diff on $10K$91.75
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, BTCI would cost approximately $980 in fees vs $980 for XBCI (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
BTCI ER0.98%
XBCI ER0.98%
Strategy & risk
BTCI tracks Bitcoin ETPs with a crypto approach, while XBCI tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. Beta is 1.48 for BTCI and 2.2537 for XBCI, making BTCI the less volatile of the two by this measure.
BTCI beta1.48
XBCI beta2.2537
Fund details
BTCI is managed by NEOS (launched 10/16/2024) with $1.38B in assets. XBCI is managed by NEOS (launched 02/03/2026) with $201M in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution rate for BTCI and XBCI?
BTCI currently distributes 25.54% and XBCI 36.55%, 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 BTCI or XBCI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. XBCI 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 BTCI and XBCI?
BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) tracks Bitcoin ETPs with a crypto approach, while XBCI (NEOS Boosted Bitcoin High Income ETF) tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. They are issued by NEOS and NEOS respectively.
Can I hold both BTCI and XBCI?
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 BTCI or XBCI safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — BTCI scores 51, XBCI scores 36, so BTCI's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. BTCI has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.48 vs 2.25 for XBCI). 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, BTCI or XBCI?
BTCI and XBCI both charge the same expense ratio of 0.98%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.
How much income does $10,000 in BTCI vs XBCI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in BTCI would generate roughly $212.83 cash per distribution ($2,554.00 annually). The same in XBCI would produce about $304.58 cash per distribution ($3,655.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, BTCI or XBCI?
BTCI has lagged XBCI over the shared window since Feb 2026, posting a 5.46% total return against 7.97%. BTCI has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 40.6% against 60.0% for XBCI. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
Both charge 0.98%, but their distribution rates and underlying volatility profiles diverge sharply.
How they differ
The core difference is leverage. Both charge 0.98%, so fees are not a differentiator—the real cost lies in how leverage shapes volatility and drawdown risk.
Key risks to know
NAV erosion at extreme distribution rates. A 36.55% yield on $41.00 shares is structurally hard to sustain from underlying bitcoin gains alone; distributions likely rely significantly on return-of-capital or NAV depletion, especially if bitcoin underperforms the options premium captured.
Leverage magnifies drawdowns.XBCI's 2.2537 of 2.2537 means that a 20% drop in bitcoin would translate to roughly a 45% decline in the fund's value before accounting for any call-writing benefits—a material risk in crypto bear markets.
Options expiry and roll risk. Both funds' income depends on continuous call-selling and roll decisions. Rapid bitcoin moves can force unfavorable rolls or leave the fund with limited upside capture if bitcoin rallies sharply past strike prices, a particularly acute concern for XBCI given its leverage.
Smaller AUM and fund stability.XBCI's $201M creates concentration risk among shareholders and raises questions about whether the fund can operate cost-effectively or survive a sustained asset outflow; BTCI's $1.38B provides a wider margin for operational resilience. If you prioritize maximum current yield and can weather 2.2537-level volatility swings, XBCI's 36.55% payout and leverage amplification may appeal—but the gap between the two payouts suggests significant NAV decay risk in XBCI if bitcoin treads water or declines. Past performance, particularly in crypto options strategies launched recently, 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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