Historical returns Bitcoin
BTC returns table by year, quarter, and month since inception. Best and worst periods for Bitcoin, comparison with the S&P 500 and gold.
Bitcoin profitability by year
| Year | Starting price | Price end | Profitability | Phase of the cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42,800 | $93,500 | +118% | Бычий рынок |
| 2023 | $16,500 | $42,800 | +159% | Восстановление |
| 2022 | $46,200 | $16,500 | -64% | Медвежий рынок |
| 2021 | $29,300 | $46,200 | +58% | Бычий рынок |
| 2020 | $7,200 | $29,300 | +307% | Начало буллрана |
| 2019 | $3,700 | $7,200 | +95% | Ранний бычий |
| 2018 | $13,800 | $3,700 | -73% | Медвежий рынок |
| 2017 | $998 | $13,800 | +1,282% | Бычий рынок |
Bitcoin Return Patterns: What Does History Say?
Bitcoin is the most profitable asset in financial history, as of 2024. Over the 15 years from 2009 to 2024, a $1,000 investment would have turned into tens of millions of dollars. However, this return was achieved through periods of drawdowns of -80% or more—not every investor could psychologically survive them without selling.
Bitcoin's four-year cycles are closely tied to halvings—the event that halves the miner reward. After the 2012 halving, Bitcoin rose from $12 to $1,150 (+9,900%). After the 2016 halving, it rose from $650 to $19,800. After the 2020 halving, it rose from $8,700 to $69,000. After the 2024 halving (April), the market will enter another cycle.
Bitcoin's best months statistically are October, November, and December. Historically, September is the weakest month (termed "Rektember"). The first quarter of the year often sees strong growth after consolidation in December. These patterns are statistically consistent, but not guaranteed.