Core Insights - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) provide investors with direct exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum respectively, while mitigating some risks associated with holding cryptocurrencies directly [2][5] Group 1: Cost and Size - Both HODL and ETHA have an expense ratio of 0.25% [3] - As of February 14, 2026, HODL has a one-year return of -29.18% and ETHA has a return of -23.90% [3] - HODL has assets under management (AUM) of $1.1 billion, while ETHA has AUM of $6.29 billion, indicating a significant difference in scale [3] Group 2: Performance and Risk Comparison - HODL experienced a maximum drawdown of -49.25% over one year, while ETHA had a higher drawdown of -61.57% [4] Group 3: Fund Composition and Market Context - HODL, launched on January 4, 2024, exclusively holds Bitcoin, while ETHA, launched six months later, exclusively holds Ether [5] - Both funds are characterized by high volatility and have faced negative returns in 2025, marking the first annual decline since 2022 [6] - HODL has increased nearly 40% since its inception, whereas ETHA has decreased by 41%, suggesting a potential advantage for HODL in the long term [8]

Core Viewpoint - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) has experienced a decline of approximately 9%, dropping from $21.72 to $19.82 since the last analysis, which is relatively minor in the context of Bitcoin's volatility [1] Group 1: ETF Performance - The current price of the VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) is $19.82, down from $21.72 at the time of the previous article [1] - The 9% decrease in the ETF's value is noted as not significant by Bitcoin standards [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The author has a strong interest in studying market growth, stakeholder value delivery, and projecting long-term investment opportunities [1] - The author works as a content professional in a software company but has a passion for capital markets [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of after-tax yield for equity income investors, highlighting that taxes can significantly reduce the income investors retain from their investments [1][2] Tax Considerations for Equity Income Investors - Understanding after-tax yield is crucial for advisors managing income-focused portfolios, as taxes can diminish the income that ultimately reaches clients [1] - Different types of income are taxed differently, which can lead to varying after-tax results even for investments with the same headline yield [1] - Higher yields may incur higher tax liabilities, particularly when income is not eligible for preferential tax rates [1] Tax Treatment of Equity Income - Qualified dividends are taxed at lower federal rates, making them attractive for taxable clients seeking income [1] - Ordinary dividends are taxed at ordinary income rates, while capital gains distributions are taxed at capital gains rates [1] - Preferred securities can provide higher income potential and may offer dividends that qualify as qualified dividend income (QDI), benefiting clients in higher tax brackets [1] Challenges for Income-Focused Equity Investors - Tax dynamics complicate income planning, especially for clients seeking yield without increasing tax drag [1] - Complex income classification can make estimating after-tax returns difficult [1] - Unexpected capital gains distributions can create tax liabilities even without selling shares [1] Role of PFXF in Tax-Aware Income Strategy - The VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) offers exposure to preferred securities outside the financial sector, focusing on income generation and diversification [1] - A portion of PFXF's income has historically been derived from dividends that may qualify as QDI, potentially providing lower effective tax rates compared to ordinary income investments [1] - PFXF aims to deliver more tax-efficient income relative to other high-yield strategies by capturing preferred dividends [1] Portfolio Placement Considerations - Tax-advantaged accounts can shelter ordinary income and capital gains, while taxable accounts may benefit more from QDI-eligible income [1] - Understanding the placement of preferred-focused strategies like PFXF within an overall portfolio can help optimize after-tax income [1]

Core Insights - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) and Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) provide different access to the crypto economy, with HODL offering direct Bitcoin price exposure and BITQ investing in companies within the crypto ecosystem [1] Cost & Size - HODL has an expense ratio of 0.25% and assets under management (AUM) of $1.4 billion, while BITQ has a higher expense ratio of 0.85% and AUM of $438.21 million [2][3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over a two-year period, HODL experienced a maximum drawdown of -93.68% and a growth of $1,000 to $482, whereas BITQ had a maximum drawdown of -51.22% and grew $1,000 to $2,023 [4] Composition - BITQ holds 37 companies, primarily in financial services, technology, and consumer cyclical sectors, with major positions in IREN Ltd., Coinbase, and Strategy Inc., providing diversified exposure to the crypto economy [5] - HODL's portfolio consists solely of Bitcoin, making its returns and volatility directly tied to Bitcoin's price [6] Investor Implications - HODL presents higher risk due to its direct exposure to Bitcoin and shorter market presence, while BITQ offers a less volatile investment through its stock holdings, although these are still influenced by the crypto market [7][9]

Core Insights - VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) provides direct exposure to Bitcoin, while CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF (WGMI) targets the broader Bitcoin mining ecosystem, highlighting differences in cost, risk profile, and diversification [2][3] Fund Comparison - HODL is a single-asset fund backed by Bitcoin, aiming to mirror its price, whereas WGMI holds a diversified portfolio of companies involved in Bitcoin mining and related services [3][6] - HODL has an expense ratio of 0.20% and $1.4 billion in assets under management (AUM), while WGMI has a higher expense ratio of 0.75% and $355.7 million in AUM [4][5] Performance Metrics - As of January 9, 2026, HODL has a 1-year return of -15.1%, while WGMI has significantly outperformed with a return of 84.0% [4][8] - WGMI has a beta of 6.01, indicating higher volatility compared to HODL, which does not have a beta value reported [4] Portfolio Composition - WGMI's portfolio consists of 81% in financials, 18% in technology, and 1% in utilities, with key holdings including IREN, Cipher Mining, and Hut 8 [6] - HODL exclusively holds Bitcoin, making it highly sensitive to Bitcoin's price movements, with no sector diversification [7] Investment Implications - Cryptocurrency ETFs like HODL and WGMI are relatively new and come with extreme volatility, necessitating careful consideration by investors [8] - WGMI's diversified portfolio may appeal to those seeking exposure to the Bitcoin mining sector, while HODL is suited for investors looking for direct Bitcoin investment [8]

Core Insights - US spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen significant inflows of $1.7 billion over the last three days, marking a reversal from earlier outflows of $681 million in the first week of the year [1][5] - On January 15, 2026, inflows peaked at $843.6 million, with BlackRock's IBIT leading the charge with $648 million [2] - Bitcoin's price surged briefly above $97,000, recovering from recent lows of $88,000, coinciding with discussions around a US crypto regulatory bill [3][4] Group 1: Inflows and Market Dynamics - The inflows into Bitcoin ETFs have been substantial, with $843.6 million on January 15, $754 million on January 14, and over $100 million on January 13 [1] - BlackRock's IBIT ETF accounted for a significant portion of the inflows, followed by Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund and others [2] - The inflow activity has contributed to a brief surge in Bitcoin's price, indicating a strong recovery and investor confidence [3][4] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Economic Context - The Crypto Fear and Greed Index reached a "greed" level of 61, reflecting positive market sentiment [4] - Analysts suggest that macroeconomic conditions are favorable for Bitcoin, with the S&P 500 at new highs and easing inflation pressures [5] - Despite volatility, the overall market environment appears supportive for risk assets, including Bitcoin [5]

Core Insights - The appeal of cryptocurrency has significantly increased, transitioning from a niche market to a more mainstream financial asset [1][2] - The introduction of spot crypto ETFs last year marked a pivotal moment for broader acceptance of digital assets in financial markets, with US-based crypto ETFs attracting approximately $42 billion in inflows this year [2] - Despite high inflows, the performance of crypto ETFs has not been strong, with volatility and lack of clear macroeconomic signals contributing to this trend [2][4] ETF Performance - BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has seen over $25 billion in inflows in 2025, reaching about $66 billion in net assets, making it the fastest-growing ETF in history [4] - IBIT is down approximately 6.4% as of December 21, 2025, reflecting a broader trend where several popular crypto ETFs are also experiencing declines [4][5] - Other notable ETFs, such as ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) and Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), are down about 6.4%, while Fidelity's Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) have fallen by 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively [5] Market Outlook - Analysts expect continued long-term investment in crypto ETFs despite current performance issues, with predictions of over 100 new crypto-based ETFs launching next year [4] - The inherent volatility of the crypto market is acknowledged by investors, who are prepared for potential drawdowns as part of their long-term strategy [4]

Core Insights - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) stands out in the expanding range of Bitcoin ETFs available in the market, indicating its unique position and potential appeal to investors [1]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The asset management sector is experiencing significant changes, with a focus on providing in-depth analysis of the driving dynamics [1]. - Financial Serenity, a column dedicated to financial analysis and quantitative research, aims to deliver valuable insights into the asset management market [1]. Group 2: Research and Analysis - The initiative combines rigorous data analysis with actionable opinions and ratings on ETFs and other trending instruments, enhancing the decision-making process for investors [1].

Core Insights - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) are designed to closely track Bitcoin's price, providing investors with direct exposure to the cryptocurrency's performance [1] Cost & Size - HODL has an expense ratio of 0.20%, making it slightly more affordable than IBIT's 0.25% [2] - As of November 3, 2025, HODL has $2.0 billion in assets under management (AUM), while IBIT has significantly larger AUM of $88.0 billion [2] Holdings - IBIT primarily holds Bitcoin with small cash amounts, aiming to match Bitcoin's price performance; it is relatively new at 1.8 years old [3] - HODL also holds 100% Bitcoin, tracking its price passively without any added complexity [4] Performance - Over the 12 months ending November 4, 2025, IBIT rose by 45.16%, while HODL delivered a slightly better return of 45.47% [7] Fee Structure - HODL is waiving all sponsor fees for the first $2.5 billion of its assets until January 10, 2026, allowing investors to buy shares without fees [5][6] - After January 10, 2026, HODL will charge a 0.20% fee [6]

Group 1 - The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (HODL) aims to provide investors with direct exposure to the performance of bitcoin by holding bitcoin directly [1] - The strategy is designed to cater to investors looking for a way to invest in bitcoin without directly purchasing the cryptocurrency [1] Group 2 - Michael Del Monte, an analyst with over 5 years of experience, emphasizes the importance of considering the entire investment ecosystem rather than evaluating companies in isolation [1]