Bitcoin vs Gold
Since Aug 2015, $10,000 in Bitcoin grew to $3,196,362 (68.3% a year) and $10,000 in gold to $38,631 (13.0% a year). Try your own amount and dates, or add more assets.
Real monthly data through Sep 2026, updated monthly. How we calculate$10,000 put into Bitcoin in Aug 2015 is now worth
Bitcoin came out on top, 82.7× gold, which reached $38,631. Just keeping up with prices needed $14,056, and both did better.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $3,196,362 | 68.3% | 31,864% | −76% (Feb 2019) |
| Gold | $38,631 | 13.0% | 286% | −19% (Jul 2026) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: Bitcoin, Bitcoin monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars; Gold, gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce. Inflation uses the US Consumer Price Index. Monthly averages, data through Sep 2026; no fees or taxes. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which has done better?
Over the whole period both have data, since Aug 2015, Bitcoin came out ahead with 68.3% a year against 13.0%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Bitcoin. Starting dates matter: across all 74 5-year stretches in the data, Bitcoin beat gold 88% of the time.
| Period | Bitcoin | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -28.9% | 17.7% |
| Last 5 years | 11.9% | 19.5% |
| Last 10 years | 63.0% | 12.5% |
| Since 2015 | 68.3% | 13.0% |
Yearly return, to Sep 2026. The higher one in each row is green.
Investing a little every month
$100 a month from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026 is 121 buys and $12,100 in total. In Bitcoin it would now be worth $146,176; in gold, $29,303. Monthly buying spreads the entry price, which matters most for the more volatile of the two.
Which is riskier?
The deepest fall from a high was 76% for Bitcoin, around Feb 2019, and 19% for gold, around Jul 2026. Bitcoin asked more patience of its owners. These use monthly averages, so the worst single days were a little deeper.
What the numbers measure
- Bitcoin: Bitcoin monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars.
- Gold: gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce.
No fees or taxes are included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Common questions
Bitcoin or gold: which has been the better investment?
Since Aug 2015, Bitcoin has returned more: 68.3% a year against 13.0% for gold. Over the last 10 years, Bitcoin came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Bitcoin beat gold 88% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Bitcoin or gold?
By the deepest fall from a high, Bitcoin: Bitcoin dropped as much as 76% (around Feb 2019) and gold as much as 19% (around Jul 2026), using monthly averages.
How much would $10,000 in Bitcoin be worth today?
$10,000 put into Bitcoin in Aug 2015 would be worth about $3,196,362 by Sep 2026. The same money in gold would be about $38,631. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Bitcoin or gold?
$100 a month from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Bitcoin it would now be about $146,176; in gold, about $29,303.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
Get one comparison like this every week
- 1chart from real data
- 1idea in plain English
- 1thing to do this week