Key Points
- iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) holds substantially more assets under management (AUM) than VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL)
- VanEck Bitcoin ETF offers a lower expense ratio of 0.20% compared to iShares’ 0.25%
- Both ETFs provide direct exposure to spot Bitcoin price movements and launched in 2024
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) provides significant scale and liquidity, while VanEck Bitcoin ETF (NYSEMKT:HODL) presents a cost-effective alternative with reduced ongoing expenses for investors seeking direct spot Bitcoin access.
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) simplify cryptocurrency investment through standard brokerage accounts by holding the digital asset in trust, eliminating the complexities of managing private keys and exchange wallets.
Snapshot (Cost & Size)
MetricHODLIBITIssuerVanEckiSharesShare price$18.16 (as of 2026-07-16)$36.39 (as of 2026-07-16)Expense ratio0.20%0.25%1-year return (as of July 16, 2026)(46.20%)(46.40%)Dividend yieldNoneNoneBeta0.892.13AUM$1.1B$47.6B
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-year return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.
VanEck’s fund offers cost advantages for long-term investors with its lower expense ratio, while iShares provides higher liquidity through its larger AUM and tighter trading spreads.
Performance & Risk Comparison
MetricHODLIBITMax drawdown (2 years)(49.99%)(53.30%)Growth of $1,000 over 2 years (total return)$988$979
What’s Inside
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is designed to mirror the market performance of Bitcoin, offering liquid access to the cryptocurrency. The fund solely holds Bitcoin and was launched in 2024. It operates as a non-registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, resulting in a distinct regulatory framework compared to traditional mutual funds.
VanEck Bitcoin ETF functions as a passively managed vehicle aimed at replicating Bitcoin’s market returns after operational costs. Like iShares, it holds Bitcoin exclusively. Launched in 2024, it provides direct cryptocurrency exposure while bypassing wallet management challenges. Both funds track the same spot price but differ in cost structures.
Which Fund Offers Better Value?
Bitcoin’s recent decline to $64,000—its lowest level in nearly two years—presents a potential entry point for investors. The cryptocurrency has fallen approximately 50% from its all-time high of $126,000 in October 2025, with analysts suggesting this may mark a recovery phase despite continued volatility.
Historical trends show extreme fluctuations: Bitcoin dropped 64% in 2022 to $16,000 before surging 156% in 2023 and 121% in 2024. These ETFs provide a streamlined method to capitalize on potential rebounds without the technical complexities of direct ownership.
Both funds are taxed similarly to commodities, with standard short-term and long-term capital gains applying. Performance differences are marginal: VanEck’s HODL has a slight edge in expense ratios, while iShares demonstrates marginally better long-term annualized returns (12.18% vs. 12.01%) due to its earlier launch date in January 2024.
Investors prioritizing cost efficiency may lean toward HODL, while those emphasizing liquidity and scale might prefer IBIT. The decision hinges on individual risk tolerance and investment timelines.
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- Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.
![Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.](https://i0.wp.com/i.abcnewsfe.com/a/11c60fb4-7733-48e0-a05a-3b720d0910a2/wirestory_111e53caa1ad4a56336e9ecb04ef1c5c_16x9.jpg?w=1600&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Footage Released by Ukrainian Prosecutors Showing Monaco Bombing Targeting Tycoon</TITLE]KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian prosecutors have released surveillance footage documenting the bombing in Monaco that caused serious injuries to tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev and his family.The June 30 attack has sent shockwaves through the Mediterranean principality. While the motive behind the explosion remains under investigation, the case involves a coordinated effort between authorities in Monaco, France, and Ukraine, as well as Interpol.The suspected perpetrator, Anastasiia Berezovska, was discovered dead in Ukraine shortly after the incident. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Ukrainian military intelligence officer has confessed to the killing, maintaining that he acted independently and without authorization from his superiors.The video, released to the Associated Press on Saturday, shows an individual wearing a hat and carrying a bag placing an object near a building’s entryway before walking away. In the background, a man, a woman, and a child are seen ascending a hill. As the three individuals approach the entryway, an explosion occurs, causing the video to blur.Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko stated via Telegram that the footage originated from a surveillance camera planted by the perpetrators to monitor the attack. He noted that while the files were initially deleted, SBU specialists successfully recovered them.The Monaco prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the released footage or the current status of the investigation.Yermolaiev’s legal team issued a letter this week accusing the Ukrainian security services of involvement in the explosion and requesting protection for his family.In a statement provided to French media, Yermolaiev alleged that the Ukrainian military intelligence agency was directly involved in the attempted assassination of his family. Yermolaiev remains hospitalized; his partner, Anna, sustained irreversible injuries, and their 13-year-old son suffered burns and fractures.In a notable turn, the letter expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his personal oversight and unspecified assistance regarding the matter, according to French media reports.Yermolaiev was sanctioned by the Zelenskyy administration in 2023 due to his ties to Russia and has stated that he has renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. President Zelenskyy has not commented on whether he has provided assistance in this case.")
