Ethereum vs Gold
Since Jun 2016, $10,000 in Ethereum grew to $1,769,075 (65.7% a year) and $10,000 in gold to $33,848 (12.6% 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 Ethereum in Jun 2016 is now worth
Ethereum came out on top, 52.3× gold, which reached $33,848. Just keeping up with prices needed $13,899, and both did better.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | $1,769,075 | 65.7% | 17,591% | −90% (Dec 2018) |
| Gold | $33,848 | 12.6% | 238% | −19% (Jul 2026) |
The chart uses a log scale: equal steps up mean equal percentage gains. What each line measures: Ethereum, Ethereum monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars (staking rewards not included); 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 Jun 2016, Ethereum came out ahead with 65.7% a year against 12.6%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Ethereum. Starting dates matter: across all 64 5-year stretches in the data, Ethereum beat gold 86% of the time.
| Period | Ethereum | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -41.0% | 17.7% |
| Last 5 years | -5.2% | 19.5% |
| Last 10 years | 70.3% | 12.5% |
| Since 2016 | 65.7% | 12.6% |
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 Ethereum it would now be worth $213,908; 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 90% for Ethereum, around Dec 2018, and 19% for gold, around Jul 2026. Ethereum asked more patience of its owners. These use monthly averages, so the worst single days were a little deeper.
What the numbers measure
- Ethereum: Ethereum monthly average of daily closing prices on Coinbase, in US dollars (staking rewards not included).
- 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
Ethereum or gold: which has been the better investment?
Since Jun 2016, Ethereum has returned more: 65.7% a year against 12.6% for gold. Over the last 10 years, Ethereum came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Ethereum beat gold 86% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Ethereum or gold?
By the deepest fall from a high, Ethereum: Ethereum dropped as much as 90% (around Dec 2018) and gold as much as 19% (around Jul 2026), using monthly averages.
How much would $10,000 in Ethereum be worth today?
$10,000 put into Ethereum in Jun 2016 would be worth about $1,769,075 by Sep 2026. The same money in gold would be about $33,848. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Ethereum or gold?
$100 a month from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Ethereum it would now be about $213,908; in gold, about $29,303.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
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