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Bitcoin vs Nvidia (BTC vs NVDA): Returns, Risk & Volatility (2025)

Last updated: December 31, 2025

Gale Finance Team
Written by Gale Finance Team
Sid Kalla
Reviewed by Sid Kalla CFA Charterholder
TL;DR: In 2025, BTC returned -6.3% while NVDA returned +34.9%. NVDA showed better risk-adjusted returns (Sharpe: 0.77). BTC was less volatile (42.0% vs 49.6%).

Analysis period: 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

BTC Total Return
-6.3%
NVDA Total Return
+34.9%

Relative Performance of BTC vs NVDA (Normalized to 100)

BTC NVDA

Normalized to 100 at start date for comparison

Key Takeaways

  • Total Return: BTC delivered a -6.3% total return, while NVDA returned +34.9% over the same period. NVDA outperformed on total returns.
  • Risk-Adjusted Return (Sharpe Ratio): BTC had a negative Sharpe (-0.05) while NVDA was positive (0.77), indicating NVDA had meaningfully better risk-adjusted performance in this period.
  • Volatility (Annualized): NVDA was more volatile, with 49.6% annualized volatility, versus 42.0% for BTC.
  • Maximum Drawdown: BTC's maximum drawdown was -32.1%, while NVDA experienced a deeper drawdown of -36.9%.

Bitcoin vs Nvidia Correlation

0.05 Average Correlation

Bitcoin and Nvidia were weakly correlated in 2025. With a correlation of 0.05, these assets showed meaningful independence, offering diversification benefits when held together.

For portfolio construction, this weak correlation suggests that combining BTC and NVDA could reduce overall portfolio variance. However, correlations can increase during market stress.

Metric Metric Value
Current (30-day) -0.13
Average (full period) 0.05
Minimum -0.34
Maximum 0.41

Correlation measures how closely two assets move together. Values near +1 indicate strong co-movement, near 0 indicates independence, and negative values indicate inverse movement.

Investment Comparison

If you invested $10,000 in each asset on January 1, 2025:

BTC $9,367.527 -6.3%
NVDA $13,487.808 +34.9%

Difference: $4,120.281 (NVDA ahead)

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Bitcoin and Nvidia: Risk Analysis

Bitcoin experienced its maximum drawdown of -32.1% from 2025-10-07 to 2025-11-23. It has not yet recovered to its previous peak.

Nvidia experienced its maximum drawdown of -36.9% from 2025-01-06 to 2025-04-04. It has not yet recovered to its previous peak.

Smaller drawdowns and faster recoveries indicate lower downside risk and greater resilience during market stress.

Sharpe Ratio of BTC and NVDA

BTC Sharpe Ratio
-0.05
NVDA Sharpe Ratio
0.77

Sharpe ratio measures return per unit of risk (volatility). A higher Sharpe indicates better risk-adjusted performance. BTC had a negative Sharpe (-0.05) while NVDA was positive (0.77), indicating NVDA had meaningfully better risk-adjusted performance in this period.

A Sharpe above 1.0 is generally considered good, above 2.0 is excellent. Negative Sharpe means the asset underperformed the risk-free rate. Calculated on each asset's full 365-day lookback of available prices and annualized using the asset calendar (365 for crypto, 252 trading days for equities/ETFs/metals).

Sortino Ratio of BTC and NVDA

BTC Sortino Ratio
-0.07
NVDA Sortino Ratio
1.01

Sortino ratio measures return per unit of downside risk. Unlike Sharpe, it only penalizes negative volatility. NVDA had better downside-adjusted returns.

A higher Sortino is better. It's particularly useful for assets with asymmetric volatility (big gains, smaller losses). Downside volatility: BTC 29.0% vs NVDA 37.9%. Calculated on each asset's full 365-day lookback of available prices and annualized using the asset calendar (365 for crypto, 252 trading days for equities/ETFs/metals).

Full Comparison of Bitcoin vs. Nvidia (2025)

Metric BTC NVDA
Total Return -6.3% +34.9%
Annualized Volatility 42.0% 49.6%
Sharpe Ratio -0.05 0.77
Sortino Ratio -0.07 1.01
Max Drawdown -32.1% -36.9%
Avg Correlation to S&P 500 N/A N/A

Bitcoin vs Nvidia: Frequently Asked Questions

Which had higher volatility: BTC or NVDA?

NVDA showed higher volatility at 49.6% annualized, compared to 42.0% for BTC During 2025. Higher volatility meant larger price swings in both directions.

Did BTC provide diversification when held with NVDA?

BTC and NVDA were weakly correlated in 2025, with an average correlation of 0.05. This weak correlation suggested meaningful diversification benefits when held together.

Which had better risk-adjusted returns: BTC or NVDA?

BTC had a negative Sharpe (-0.05) while NVDA was positive (0.77) During 2025, indicating NVDA had meaningfully better risk-adjusted performance.

Could BTC and NVDA have been combined in a portfolio?

Yes, though allocation sizing mattered. Their weak correlation could have meaningfully reduced overall portfolio variance. NVDA's higher volatility (49.6%) meant even small allocations can materially impact overall portfolio risk.