A side-by-side comparison of iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) and Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ETHA | NCIQ |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +55.85%✓ | +34.61% |
| 1-Day Change | +1.24%✓ | +1.18% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.20%✓ | 0.00% |
| 1-Month Change | +11.74%✓ | +10.33% |
| Current Price | $20.37 | $21.47 |
| AUM | $9.84B✓ | $499M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.25%✓ | 25% |
| Dividend Yield | — | — |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2024-06-24 | 2025-02-13 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Digital Assets | Digital Assets |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $36.04 | $34.26 |
| 52-Week Low | $11.53 | $14.38 |
| 50-Day MA | $17.11 | $18.36 |
| 200-Day MA | $17.00 | $18.76 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ETHA | NCIQ |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +55.85%✓ | +34.61% |
| 1 Year | -31.34% | -28.42%✓ |
| 3 Year | — | — |
| 5 Year | — | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 61.53% | 49.23% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | ETHA | NCIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About ETHA
The shares are intended to constitute a simple means of making an investment similar to an investment in ether rather than by acquiring, holding and trading ether directly on a peer-to-peer or other basis or via a digital asset platform. The shares have been designed to remove the obstacles represented by the complexities and operational burdens involved in a direct investment in ether.
About NCIQ
The sponsor will employ a passive investment strategy intended to track the changes in the index, regardless of its direction, meaning that the sponsor will not attempt to outperform the index. The index is designed to measure the performance of a portion of the overall crypto asset market.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ETHA and NCIQ are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ETHA scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ETHA and NCIQ?
ETHA (iShares Ethereum Trust ETF) and NCIQ (Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($9.84B vs $499M), dividend yield (N/A vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+55.85% vs +34.61%).
Is ETHA better than NCIQ?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ETHA has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ETHA and NCIQ on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ETHA and NCIQ should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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