BITQ vs VYM
Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BITQ or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BITQ led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BITQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $420M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 30 | 613 |
| YTD Price Return | +25.33%Best | +13.45% |
| 1Y Price Return | +35.13%Best | +17.91% |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +55.14%Best | +15.38% |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +1.31% | +9.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 70.4% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -90.3% | -17.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,672 | $15,422Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Bitwise | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 11, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for BITQ. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. BITQ yields 0.00% and VYM 2.24% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.3 years).
BITQ vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.3 years both funds cover. Prices exclude distributions, on both funds alike.
BITQ vs VYM Performance
Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) is an ETF from Bitwise and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BITQ returned +35.13% while VYM returned +17.91%. Year to date, BITQ is up 25.33% versus a gain of 13.45% for VYM.
Over three years, BITQ compounded at +55.14% per year against +15.38% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.31% and +9.05% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BITQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 70.4% compared with 13.7% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -90.3% for BITQ and -17.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BITQ charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BITQ currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
5.8% of BITQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings BITQ also owns.
BITQ and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, BITQ as of Aug 18, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in BITQ and 602 in VYM, against full books of 30 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BITQ (95.9% of the fund), and 16 for BITQ that do not appear in VYM (63.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BITQ and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BITQ or VYM?
BITQ has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BITQ or VYM?
Over the past year BITQ returned +35.13% vs +17.91% for VYM, so BITQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BITQ or VYM?
BITQ has been the more volatile fund at 70.4% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BITQ -90.3% vs VYM -17.5%.
Should I hold both BITQ and VYM?
BITQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BITQ and VYM?
5.8% of BITQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings BITQ also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in BITQ and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BITQ or VYM?
BITQ yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BITQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BITQ led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.