Bitcoin vs S&P 500
Since Aug 2015, $10,000 in Bitcoin grew to $3,196,362 (68.3% a year) and $10,000 in the S&P 500 to $45,045 (14.5% 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, 71.0× the S&P 500, which reached $45,045. 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) |
| S&P 500 | $45,045 | 14.5% | 350% | −19% (Oct 2022) |
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; S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee). 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 14.5%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Bitcoin. Starting dates matter: across all 74 5-year stretches in the data, Bitcoin beat the S&P 500 89% of the time.
| Period | Bitcoin | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -28.9% | 17.6% |
| Last 5 years | 11.9% | 13.0% |
| Last 10 years | 63.0% | 15.3% |
| Since 2015 | 68.3% | 14.5% |
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 the S&P 500, $27,585. 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 the S&P 500, around Oct 2022. 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.
- S&P 500: S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee).
No fees or taxes are included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Common questions
Bitcoin or the S&P 500: which has been the better investment?
Since Aug 2015, Bitcoin has returned more: 68.3% a year against 14.5% for the S&P 500. Over the last 10 years, Bitcoin came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Bitcoin beat the S&P 500 89% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Bitcoin or the S&P 500?
By the deepest fall from a high, Bitcoin: Bitcoin dropped as much as 76% (around Feb 2019) and the S&P 500 as much as 19% (around Oct 2022), 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 the S&P 500 would be about $45,045. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Bitcoin or the S&P 500?
$100 a month from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Bitcoin it would now be about $146,176; in the S&P 500, about $27,585.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
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