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ETF Comparison

DAPP vs TKNZ: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of VanEck Digital Transformation ETF and T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

DAPP has lagged TKNZ over the year to date, posting a 15.00% total return against 25.82%. 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.
SymbolYTDSince Jul 2026
DAPP15.00%17.78%
TKNZ25.82%25.82%

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 Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 16, 2026 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricDAPPTKNZ
Full nameVanEck Digital Transformation ETFT. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF
IssuerVanEckT. Rowe Price
Last Close$20.47 as of September 4, 2026$31.02 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate
Distribution Safety Score™
Expense ratio0.52%0.75%
AUM$376M$21.5M
Distribution frequencyNoneAnnual
Underlying indexMVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of an index of companies that are positioned to benefit from the digital transformation of the economy, including digital asset infrastructure and blockchain technology companies.Seeks long-term capital appreciation through actively managed exposure to a diversified portfolio of crypto assets and crypto-related investments.
Asset classEquityCrypto
Inception date04/12/202107/16/2026
Beta3.76
Ex-dividend date12/23/2024

— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because TKNZ launched July 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: TKNZ launched July 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

  • Crypto volatility. DAPP and TKNZ 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.

ETFs85
Total AUM$165B

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

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DAPP.

ETFs33
Total AUM$33.4B

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

T. Rowe Price is a prominent asset manager recognized for its research-driven approach to ETF investing across multiple asset classes. The firm's 20-fund ETF lineup spans bond, dividend, and equity strategies, offering investors options for income generation, growth, and diversified exposure across market segments. Notable offerings include dividend-focused funds and fixed-income ETFs with tickers such as TAGG, TCAF, and TCHP, positioning the issuer as a broad-based provider serving both income-seeking and growth-oriented investors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on TKNZ.

Want to go deeper?

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Quick verdict

DAPP (VanEck Digital Transformation ETF) and TKNZ (T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

DAPP is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.52% compared to 0.75%.

DAPP has $376M in assets vs $21.5M for TKNZ, but TKNZ only launched July 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, DAPP has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while TKNZ has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

DAPP yield
TKNZ yield

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, DAPP would cost approximately $520 in fees vs $750 for TKNZ (simplified, not compounded). The $230.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

DAPP ER0.52%
TKNZ ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

DAPP tracks MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index with a crypto approach, while TKNZ is an actively managed ETF built around digital assets exposure.

DAPP beta3.76
TKNZ beta

Fund details

DAPP is managed by VanEck (launched 04/12/2021) with $376M in assets. TKNZ is managed by T. Rowe Price (launched 07/16/2026) with $21.5M in assets.

DAPP AUM$376M
TKNZ AUM$21.5M

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Frequently asked questions

Which of DAPP or TKNZ pays more dividend income?

TKNZ currently reports a distribution yield, while DAPP has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between DAPP and TKNZ?

DAPP (VanEck Digital Transformation ETF) tracks MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index with a crypto approach, while TKNZ (T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF) is an actively managed ETF built around digital assets exposure. They are issued by VanEck and T. Rowe Price respectively.

Can I hold both DAPP and TKNZ?

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.

Which has lower fees, DAPP or TKNZ?

DAPP has an expense ratio of 0.52% while TKNZ charges 0.75%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in DAPP vs TKNZ generate?

At current rates, DAPP has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available. TKNZ has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.

Which has performed better historically, DAPP or TKNZ?

DAPP has lagged TKNZ over the year to date, posting a 15.00% total return against 25.82%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

DAPP vs TKNZ — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

TKNZ is an actively managed fund that holds digital assets themselves (bitcoin, ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies) plus crypto-related investments, giving it direct exposure to the asset class rather than companies in the ecosystem.

How they differ

The biggest distinction is what you're actually holding. DAPP invests in companies, so you own equity in firms like blockchain developers and fintech platforms—the strategy is beta to tech innovation. TKNZ holds actual cryptocurrencies and crypto-adjacent securities, so you get direct price exposure to digital assets themselves.

Second, TKNZ is actively managed and smaller, with $21.5M in assets; DAPP is index-based with $376M in AUM, giving it more liquidity and lower ongoing decision risk. Third, TKNZ charges 0.75% in fees against DAPP's 0.52%, a modest gap that widens given the smaller scale of active management. Neither fund currently distributes income to shareholders, so both are oriented toward capital appreciation rather than yield.

Who each is best for

DAPP: Fits investors who want exposure to blockchain infrastructure and digital-economy tech companies through a systematic, rules-based framework—those comfortable with equity-market correlation and the volatility of a tech-heavy index strategy.

TKNZ: Designed for investors seeking direct cryptocurrency ownership through a professionally curated, actively managed portfolio without the operational complexity of holding crypto wallets or exchange accounts themselves.

Key risks to know

  • Extreme volatility and crypto-market drawdowns. Both funds are exposed to digital assets, but TKNZ holds the underlying coins directly, so price swings in bitcoin or ethereum flow straight through to NAV.
  • Structural imbalance in fund maturity. TKNZ inception date is 07/16/2026, meaning it has minimal operating history and no track record through a full market cycle. Performance and strategy execution cannot yet be evaluated against extended periods of volatility or regulatory change.
  • Active management and concentration risk in TKNZ. A smaller fund with $21.5M in assets and an active manager makes decisions about crypto allocation, weighting, and timing. Persistent underperformance versus a passive crypto index strategy is a real risk, as is concentration in a handful of positions if the manager narrows the portfolio.
  • Regulatory risk specific to crypto holdings. TKNZ's direct ownership of digital assets exposes it to evolving SEC, CFTC, and international regulatory action on custody, classification, and taxation of cryptocurrencies. DAPP's tech-company holdings face regulatory risk too, but it's distributed across a broader ecosystem.
  • Index concentration in DAPP. The MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Index may weight heavily toward a small number of mega-cap blockchain firms or fintech platforms, creating single-name risk within what appears to be a diversified index.

Bottom line

If you want systematic exposure to the blockchain infrastructure ecosystem through publicly traded companies, DAPP's index approach and lower fees offer clarity and lower decision risk. If you want direct cryptocurrency ownership but prefer a professionally managed vehicle over self-custody, TKNZ aligns with that goal—though its short track record and higher costs warrant caution. Both carry substantial crypto-market volatility; 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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