Bitcoin’s 26,931% 10-Year Return Crushes Stocks and Gold, New Analysis Shows

• Bitcoin’s 26,931% 10-year return dwarfs traditional asset classes, showcasing its dominance as a high-growth investment.
• Despite its significant volatility, Bitcoin’s leading position in 2024 with a 129.0% YTD gain reinforces its potential as a transformative asset.

Bitcoin has outperformed all major asset classes over the past decade, delivering a staggering 26,931% return, according to CoinGecko data analysis. A $100 investment in Bitcoin in 2014 would now be worth over $26,900, dwarfing traditional investments.

Bitcoin’s performance has also outpaced other cryptocurrencies, as highlighted in a recent CNF update. For example, Bitcoin ETFs have been noted to outperform Gold ETFs, as stated by Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse.

According to the latest update by CoinGecko, the world’s largest independent cryptocurrency data aggregator:

Bitcoin (BTC), coined as ‘Magic Internet Money,’ is now seen as a legitimate investment asset alongside traditional options like stocks, commodities, and bonds. Its 10-year return of 26,931.1% truly solidifies its dominance.

Comparison with Traditional Assets

Over the same 10-year period, the S&P 500 rose by 193.3%, gold by 125.8%, and 5-year Treasury bonds by 157.1%. Meanwhile, crude oil significantly lagged behind with a modest 4.3% return. Even in 2024’s year-to-date performance, Bitcoin leads with a 129.0% gain, far outpacing gold (32.2%) and the S&P 500 (28.3%).

Bitcoin’s relationship with traditional markets has evolved over time. Before 2018, its correlation with the S&P 500 was negligible. However, this changed around 2020, particularly during the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these periods, Bitcoin mirrored stock market trends, though its correlation with gold remains sporadic, often moving inversely. Investors frequently pivot to gold when Bitcoin underperforms, indicating that these two assets often serve as alternatives during periods of market uncertainty.

Volatility Defines Bitcoin’s Journey

Despite its extraordinary returns, Bitcoin’s path has been volatile, characterized by dramatic price swings. As CNF recently reported, Bitcoin has at times been outperformed by other cryptocurrencies like Ripple. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has experienced two major bull cycles (2017–2018 and 2020–2021), both tied to its four-year halving events. These cycles saw Bitcoin surge to unprecedented highs, followed by steep declines exceeding 70%.

Bitcoin’s trading range reflects this volatility, from a low of $172.15 to a peak of $107,780. Currently, according to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $103,628.30, reflecting a 2.77% decline in the last 24 hours but a 6.36% increase over the past week. Its transformative growth continues to captivate investors worldwide.