ICOI vs VXUS
Bitwise COIN Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ICOI or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | ICOI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 202.36% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 39.0% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $7,182 | $14,231Best |
| Fund Family | Bitwise | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 41 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ICOI has data through Jul 31, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Jul 31, 2026 (1.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICOI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.0% compared with 13.1% for VXUS. 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 -59.3% for ICOI and -11.3% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICOI charges 0.96% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $5 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICOI currently yields 202.36% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ICOI and VXUS 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, ICOI or VXUS?
ICOI has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ICOI or VXUS?
ICOI has been the more volatile fund at 39.0% annualized versus 13.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ICOI -59.3% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both ICOI and VXUS?
ICOI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICOI or VXUS?
ICOI yields 202.36% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ICOI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ICOI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.