ETF Comparison
IMST vs MSTY: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Bitwise Funds Trust and YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 2, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| IMST | MSTY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bitwise Funds Trust | YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF |
| Issuer | Bitwise Investments | YieldMax |
| Price | $10.27 | $21.29 |
| Distribution yield | 63.05% | 299.60% |
| Expense ratio | 0.98% | 1.03% |
| AUM | $16M | $1.0B |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Weekly |
| Underlying index | Strategy (MSTR) | Strategy (MSTR) |
| Objective | Seeks current income with exposure to MicroStrategy (MSTR) stock through a synthetic covered call strategy, generating premium income while providing exposure to MicroStrategy's price movements. | Covered Call |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 11/12/2024 | 07/18/2023 |
| Beta | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Last dividend | $0.49 | $0.31 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/27/2026 | 04/02/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
IMST (Bitwise Funds Trust) and MSTY (YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both popular monthly-pay seeks current income with exposure to microstrategy (mstr) stock through a synthetic covered call strategy, generating premium income while providing exposure to microstrategy's price movements. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
MSTY offers the higher yield at 299.60% vs 63.05% for IMST. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
IMST is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.98% compared to 1.03%.
MSTY is the larger fund by assets ($1.0B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, IMST would generate roughly $525.42/month while MSTY would produce $2,496.67/month at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IMST would cost approximately $980 in fees vs $1,030 for MSTY (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
IMST tracks Strategy (MSTR) with a seeks current income with exposure to microstrategy (mstr) stock through a synthetic covered call strategy, generating premium income while providing exposure to microstrategy's price movements. approach, while MSTY tracks Strategy (MSTR) using a covered call strategy. Beta is 0.0 for IMST and 0.0 for MSTY, indicating MSTY is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
IMST is managed by Bitwise Investments (launched 11/12/2024) with $16M in assets. MSTY is managed by YieldMax (launched 07/18/2023) with $1.0B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is IMST or MSTY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. MSTY 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 IMST and MSTY?
IMST (Bitwise Funds Trust) tracks Strategy (MSTR) with a seeks current income with exposure to microstrategy (mstr) stock through a synthetic covered call strategy, generating premium income while providing exposure to microstrategy's price movements. strategy, while MSTY (YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) tracks Strategy (MSTR) with a covered call approach. They are issued by Bitwise Investments and YieldMax respectively.
Can I hold both IMST and MSTY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, IMST or MSTY?
IMST has an expense ratio of 0.98% while MSTY charges 1.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IMST vs MSTY generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in IMST would generate roughly $525.42 per month ($6,305.00 annually). The same in MSTY would produce about $2,496.67 per month ($29,960.00 annually).
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