ARK 21shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) vs Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC)

How ARK 21shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) vs Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) compare on our ratings, crypto etf specs, funding, pros and cons.

Feature
Ratings
Our score4.0/54.2/5
User ratingNo reviews yetNo reviews yet
Fees4.54.5
Size & liquidity4.04.5
Issuer & custody4.54.5
Structure & tracking4.04.5
Extras (staking, options)2.52.5
Specs
TickerARKBBTC
Issuer21sharesGrayscale
HoldsBitcoinBitcoin
StructureSpot ETFSpot ETF
Expense ratio0.21%0.15%
Assets under management$2.5B$4.24B (December 2025)
Listed onCboe BZXNYSE Arca
Launch date2024-01-102024-07-31
CustodianAnchorage Digital Bank N.A., BitGo Bank & Trust, N.A., Coinbase Custody International, LtdAnchorage Digital Bank, Coinbase Custody
Stakes its holdings No No
MarketUnited StatesUnited States
Company
Founded20242024
Headquarters—United States
InvestorsNot disclosedNot disclosed
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros
  • Annual expense ratio is 0.21%
  • Assets split across Anchorage, BitGo, and Coinbase Custody
  • Net assets under management exceed $2.5B
  • Trades directly through standard US brokerage and IRA accounts
  • Competitive 0.15% annual expense ratio
  • Direct underlying custody through Anchorage Digital Bank and Coinbase Custody
  • Exceeded $4.24B in assets under management by December 2025
  • Holds spot Bitcoin rather than futures or debt instruments
Cons
  • No option for retail shareholders to redeem underlying bitcoin directly
  • Not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
  • Undergoing a ticker and fund name change in December 2026
  • Trading access limited to US market participants
  • Standard brokerage accounts cannot withdraw or take delivery of physical Bitcoin
  • Holdings do not generate yield or support staking
  • Restricted to investors with access to United States brokerage platforms
  • Subject to tracking error and secondary market discounts or premiums
Best forUS brokerage account holders, Retirement and IRA allocators, Investors seeking multi-custodian spot exposureUS brokerage account holders, Retirement and IRA crypto allocations, Cost-sensitive spot Bitcoin investors

Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.