IBIT vs. ETHA: Two Unique Approaches for Investing in Crypto

MrDecoder · 2026-02-15T03:39:03+00:00

The comparison of iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) highlights their fees, recent performance, and risks. Both funds have equal expense ratios but different returns and volatility, indicating differing investment potential in a fluctuating crypto market.

MrDecoder

2026-02-15 03:39:03

Abstract generation in progress

Both the **iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF **(IBIT +5.18%)and **iShares Ethereum Trust ETF **(ETHA +6.78%)are single-asset ETFs that offer direct exposure to major cryptocurrencies: **Bitcoin **(BTC +0.98%)and **Ethereum **(ETH +0.41%), respectively. This comparison focuses on their fees, recent returns, risk levels, and portfolio composition to help investors understand which may best align with their goals.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric	IBIT	ETHA
Issuer	iShares	iShares
Expense ratio	0.25%	0.25%
1-yr return (as of Feb. 14, 2026)	-29.35%	-23.90%
AUM	$51.53 billion	$6.29 billion

_The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. _

Both funds are equally priced at 0.25%, so neither stands out in cost. ETHA’s smaller assets under management (AUM) may matter for investors who prioritize scale.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric	IBIT	ETHA
Max drawdown (1 y)	-49.36%	-61.57%
Growth of $1,000 over 1 year	$720	$753

What’s inside

IBIT was launched on Jan. 5, 2024, and only holds Bitcoin. Six months later, BlackRock launched ETHA, which only holds Ether. Both funds offer direct exposure to the crypto market and share high volatility.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

Both Bitcoin and Ethereum posted negative returns for the year of 2025, marking the first annual decline since 2022. It was a wake-up call for many investors who thought the returns on Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies would be endless. Although governments and institutional entities continue to invest in the crypto space, it will still experience ups and downs just like the stock market.

Cryptocurrency should also not be viewed as a reliable hedge against the U.S. dollar, despite the impact that tariffs and geopolitical tensions have had on the fiat.

With that being said, investors must be cautious when investing in crypto-holding funds, as even though people may not have to worry about digital wallet hacks, the market is very volatile, and it will directly impact the performance of funds such as IBIT and ETHA.

Throughout the entire existence of both funds, IBIT has increased nearly 40%, while ETHA has fallen 41%, but it’s still too soon to say that IBIT will perform better than ETHA over the long term. For now, though, IBIT shows better promise and holds a cryptocurrency that’s much more included in institutional and government development than Ethereum.

BTC2,15%

ETH3,16%

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