Cryptocurrency Returns by Year (2013-2026)
Cryptocurrency has been the highest-returning asset class of the past decade, but also the most volatile. Bitcoin has delivered annualized returns exceeding 70% since 2013, yet has also experienced drawdowns of 50-80% multiple times. Understanding this return and risk profile is essential for any investor considering crypto allocation.
This dataset tracks annual returns for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) from their inception through 2026, along with investment growth scenarios and volatility comparisons. Use our <a href="/finance/crypto-profit-loss-calculator/bitcoin" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">Bitcoin profit/loss calculator</a> to model your own entry and exit points.
Key Insights
- Bitcoin has been positive in 9 out of 13 full calendar years (2013-2025), with an average positive year returning +233% and an average negative year returning -51.8%.
- $1,000 invested in Bitcoin in January 2015 would be worth approximately $720,500 in February 2026, while the same investment in the S&P 500 would be worth $2,680.
- Crypto volatility is 3-6x higher than traditional assets: Bitcoin at 68.4% vs S&P 500 at 18.2% annualized, with maximum drawdowns of -77% vs -25%.
- Ethereum has outperformed Bitcoin in bull markets (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021) but underperformed in bear markets, making it a higher-beta play on crypto.
- Solana's 2021 return of +11,180% was followed by a -94.1% crash in 2022, illustrating the extreme risk-reward profile of smaller-cap cryptocurrencies.
Annual Returns: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana
Year-by-year returns for the three major cryptocurrencies. ETH launched in 2015 and SOL in 2020. Returns are calculated from January 1 to December 31 each year.
| Year | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) | Solana (SOL) | S&P 500 (Reference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +5,428% | -- | -- | +29.6% |
| 2014 | -58.0% | -- | -- | +11.4% |
| 2015 | +35.2% | -- | -- | -0.7% |
| 2016 | +124.6% | +754.0% | -- | +9.5% |
| 2017 | +1,318.0% | +9,162.0% | -- | +19.4% |
| 2018 | -72.6% | -82.7% | -- | -6.2% |
| 2019 | +94.0% | -3.5% | -- | +28.9% |
| 2020 | +302.8% | +469.4% | +1,580% | +16.3% |
| 2021 | +59.8% | +398.5% | +11,180% | +26.9% |
| 2022 | -64.3% | -67.5% | -94.1% | -19.4% |
| 2023 | +155.2% | +90.8% | +918.0% | +24.2% |
| 2024 | +121.5% | +52.3% | +82.4% | +23.3% |
| 2025 | -12.4% | +8.2% | -28.6% | +14.8% |
| 2026 YTD | +6.8% | +11.4% | +18.2% | +3.1% |
$1,000 Invested at Different Entry Points
What a $1,000 investment would be worth today (February 2026) based on different entry points. Demonstrates the critical importance of timing in crypto investing.
| Entry Point | BTC Value Today | ETH Value Today | S&P 500 Value Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2014 | $312,400 | -- | $2,980 |
| January 2015 | $720,500 | -- | $2,680 |
| January 2016 | $532,800 | $184,200 | $2,710 |
| January 2017 | $38,640 | $22,180 | $2,460 |
| January 2018 | $2,930 | $2,420 | $2,060 |
| January 2019 | $10,640 | $12,860 | $2,190 |
| January 2020 | $14,230 | $16,680 | $1,880 |
| January 2021 | $3,520 | $8,180 | $1,600 |
| January 2022 | $2,100 | $2,660 | $1,260 |
| January 2023 | $5,420 | $5,090 | $1,570 |
| January 2024 | $2,390 | $2,610 | $1,260 |
| January 2025 | $940 | $1,200 | $1,030 |
Volatility Comparison: Crypto vs Traditional Assets
Annualized volatility (standard deviation of daily returns) and maximum drawdown for cryptocurrencies versus traditional asset classes over the past 5 years (2021-2025).
| Asset | Annualized Volatility | Max Drawdown | Best Year | Worst Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 68.4% | -77.2% | +155.2% (2023) | -64.3% (2022) |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 82.1% | -82.4% | +398.5% (2021) | -67.5% (2022) |
| Solana (SOL) | 118.6% | -96.1% | +11,180% (2021) | -94.1% (2022) |
| S&P 500 | 18.2% | -25.4% | +26.9% (2021) | -19.4% (2022) |
| Nasdaq 100 | 23.4% | -33.1% | +54.9% (2023) | -32.4% (2022) |
| Gold | 14.8% | -11.6% | +27.2% (2024) | -3.6% (2021) |
| US Treasury Bonds | 10.6% | -17.8% | +5.1% (2025) | -13.1% (2022) |
| Real Estate (REITs) | 21.6% | -28.7% | +41.3% (2021) | -25.1% (2022) |
Cryptocurrency Return Patterns and Market Cycles
Cryptocurrency markets follow a roughly four-year cycle that has been remarkably consistent since Bitcoin's inception. These cycles align loosely with Bitcoin's halving events (which reduce new supply by 50% every ~4 years) and follow a pattern of explosive rally, euphoric peak, devastating crash, and gradual recovery.
The 2013 cycle saw Bitcoin rise from $13 to $1,100 before crashing 58% in 2014. The 2017 cycle brought Bitcoin from $1,000 to $19,700 before an 84% drawdown through 2018. The 2021 cycle peaked at $69,000 before falling 77% to $15,600 in late 2022. Each cycle has brought higher highs and higher lows in absolute terms, though the magnitude of gains has decreased with each successive cycle.
Ethereum and Solana have amplified these Bitcoin cycles with even more extreme returns in both directions. During the 2020-2021 bull run, ETH returned over 400% and SOL returned over 11,000%. In the subsequent 2022 bear market, ETH fell 67.5% and SOL collapsed 94.1%, demonstrating the severe risk of smaller-cap cryptocurrencies.
The Dramatic Impact of Entry Timing
No other asset class demonstrates the importance of entry timing as dramatically as cryptocurrency. A $1,000 investment in Bitcoin in January 2015 would be worth approximately $720,500 in February 2026 -- a life-changing return. The same $1,000 invested at the January 2018 peak would be worth only $2,930, barely outperforming the S&P 500's $2,060.
This volatility cuts both ways and underscores why dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is often recommended for crypto investors. By investing a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of price, investors can reduce the impact of buying at peaks. Our crypto profit/loss calculator can help you model both lump-sum and DCA strategies for any entry point.
The data also reveals that holding through bear markets has been rewarded historically. Every investor who held Bitcoin through a 50-80% drawdown eventually recovered and saw new all-time highs. However, this is not guaranteed for the future, and many altcoins from prior cycles never recovered their peaks.
Risk Assessment: Is the Volatility Worth It?
Bitcoin's annualized volatility of 68.4% is roughly 3.8x that of the S&P 500 (18.2%) and 4.6x that of gold (14.8%). This means daily price swings of 3-5% are routine, and 10-20% moves within a single week are not uncommon. For risk-averse investors, this level of volatility can be psychologically devastating and may lead to panic selling at the worst possible time.
However, on a risk-adjusted basis, Bitcoin has still outperformed traditional assets over longer time horizons. The key factor is position sizing: financial advisors typically recommend allocating only 1-5% of a portfolio to cryptocurrency, which limits downside exposure while still providing meaningful upside if crypto continues its long-term appreciation trend.
The volatility comparison table shows that Solana is nearly twice as volatile as Bitcoin and over 6x more volatile than the S&P 500. This extreme volatility is characteristic of smaller-cap assets in emerging markets and represents both enormous opportunity and significant risk of total loss. Investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance before allocating to any cryptocurrency.