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.
IBIT has outpaced XBTY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -27.14% total return against -38.32%. Measured from May 2025 — the start of shared available history — IBIT has compounded at -15.36% a year versus -26.31% for XBTY. XBTY has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 23.9% against 45.7% for IBIT. 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 May 2025” measures every fund from May 13, 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 and SEC yield
Metric
IBIT
XBTY
Forward distribution rate
—
29.69%
Trailing 12-month yield
—
132.54%
30-day SEC yield
—
1.03%
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.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Bottom lineChoose IBIT if you want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for the long run. Choose XBTY if you want to maximize current income — roughly 29.69%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: XBTY's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while IBIT 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.
Crypto volatility. IBIT and XBTY 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.
Capped upside and premium dependence. XBTY generates 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.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IBIT.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
GraniteShares is known for offering specialized ETF strategies that extend beyond traditional equity and bond investing, particularly through structured products and income-focused solutions. The firm manages 48 ETFs organized around distinct fund families including Autocallable products, Commodities, Income strategies, Leveraged exposures, and their YieldBOOST line designed to enhance distributions. GraniteShares targets investors seeking alternative income generation methods and commodity access, with popular tickers like AHD, CRY, and FBL representing their diverse approach to yield enhancement and alternative asset classes.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on XBTY.
IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) and XBTY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
XBTY currently shows a 29.69% distribution yield. IBIT has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
IBIT is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.25% compared to 1.15%.
IBIT is the larger fund by assets ($67.1B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose IBIT
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF
Want straightforward Bitcoin exposure for long-term appreciation, not income.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.25% expense ratio vs 1.15% for XBTY.
Choose XBTY
GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF
Want to maximize current income — XBTY distributes roughly 29.69% from selling options premium, while IBIT makes no distribution.
Want crypto exposure that pays income rather than waiting on price alone.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.2 vs 1.9 for IBIT.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
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On a $10,000 investment, IBIT has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while XBTY would produce $57.10 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.
IBIT yield—
XBTY yield29.69%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IBIT would cost approximately $250 in fees vs $1,150 for XBTY (simplified, not compounded). The $900.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IBIT ER0.25%
XBTY ER1.15%
Strategy & risk
IBIT tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach, while XBTY tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. Beta is 1.8887 for IBIT and 1.2388 for XBTY, making XBTY the less volatile of the two by this measure.
IBIT beta1.8887
XBTY beta1.2388
Fund details
IBIT is managed by iShares (launched 01/11/2024) with $67.1B in assets. XBTY is managed by GraniteShares (launched 05/13/2025) with $10.1M in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of IBIT or XBTY pays more dividend income?
XBTY currently reports a distribution yield, while IBIT 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 IBIT and XBTY?
IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach, while XBTY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF) tracks Bitcoin with a crypto approach. They are issued by iShares and GraniteShares respectively.
Can I hold both IBIT and XBTY?
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, IBIT or XBTY?
IBIT has an expense ratio of 0.25% while XBTY charges 1.15%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IBIT vs XBTY generate?
At current rates, IBIT has not established a distribution history yet, so a cash estimate is not available. The same in XBTY would produce about $57.10 cash per distribution ($2,969.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IBIT or XBTY?
IBIT has outpaced XBTY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -27.14% total return against -38.32%. Measured from May 2025 — the start of shared available history — IBIT has compounded at -15.36% a year versus -26.31% for XBTY. XBTY has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 23.9% against 45.7% for IBIT. 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.
IBIT and XBTY both offer bitcoin exposure through ETF structures, but they pursue fundamentally different strategies. IBIT is a physically backed spot bitcoin trust that tracks the underlying asset's price directly. XBTY wraps that same bitcoin exposure in an options-income overlay, selling covered calls on bitcoin holdings to generate weekly distributions.
How they differ
The core difference is strategy: IBIT holds bitcoin spot and passes through price appreciation or depreciation with no income component, while XBTY holds bitcoin but systematically sells call options against it, capping upside in exchange for high current yield. IBIT's $67.1B in assets under management dwarfs XBTY's $10.1M, reflecting IBIT's position as the largest single bitcoin ETF since its 01/11/2024 launch. XBTY arrived much later on 05/13/2025 and carries meaningful option-writing and call-assignment risk alongside bitcoin's price volatility.
Who each is best for
IBIT: Fits investors seeking pure bitcoin price exposure without income generation—those prioritizing capital appreciation over distributions and comfortable holding through volatility.
XBTY: Fits investors who believe bitcoin's medium-term range is bounded, want current cash flow from their bitcoin allocation, and are willing to forgo upside beyond a call strike in exchange for weekly yield.
Key risks to know
NAV erosion from high yield:XBTY's 29.69% annualized distribution rate substantially exceeds typical bitcoin appreciation. This raises the question of whether distributions rely partly on return of capital, which would erode the fund's net asset value over time.
Call-assignment and forced exits:XBTY's covered call strategy caps gains if bitcoin rallies past the strike and risks assignment, forcing conversion to cash at an undesired price. Investors do not control when or at what price they exit the position. The fund's 05/13/2025 launch date means there is no historical track record through a full market cycle.
Bitcoin price volatility: Both funds carry 1.8887 (IBIT) and 1.2388 (XBTY) beta, meaning swings in bitcoin are amplified relative to broad market moves. Drawdowns can be sharp and sustained.
Option premium dependency:XBTY's yield relies on continued elevated implied volatility in bitcoin options. If realized volatility declines or implied volatility compresses, call premiums shrink and distributions may fall sharply. If you prioritize current income from bitcoin and accept capped appreciation and NAV-decline risk as tradeoffs, XBTY's weekly distributions serve that purpose—though its small size and recent launch leave limited performance history to review. 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.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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