Ethereum vs S&P 500
Since Jun 2016, $10,000 in Ethereum grew to $1,769,075 (65.7% a year) and $10,000 in the S&P 500 to $43,307 (15.4% 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, 40.8× the S&P 500, which reached $43,307. 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) |
| S&P 500 | $43,307 | 15.4% | 333% | −19% (Oct 2022) |
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); 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 Jun 2016, Ethereum came out ahead with 65.7% a year against 15.4%. Over the last 10 years the lead went to Ethereum. Starting dates matter: across all 64 5-year stretches in the data, Ethereum beat the S&P 500 86% of the time.
| Period | Ethereum | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Last year | -41.0% | 17.6% |
| Last 5 years | -5.2% | 13.0% |
| Last 10 years | 70.3% | 15.3% |
| Since 2016 | 65.7% | 15.4% |
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 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 90% for Ethereum, around Dec 2018, and 19% for the S&P 500, around Oct 2022. 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).
- 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
Ethereum or the S&P 500: which has been the better investment?
Since Jun 2016, Ethereum has returned more: 65.7% a year against 15.4% for the S&P 500. Over the last 10 years, Ethereum came out ahead. Across every 5-year stretch in the data, Ethereum beat the S&P 500 86% of the time, so the answer depends heavily on when you start.
Which is riskier, Ethereum or the S&P 500?
By the deepest fall from a high, Ethereum: Ethereum dropped as much as 90% (around Dec 2018) and the S&P 500 as much as 19% (around Oct 2022), 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 the S&P 500 would be about $43,307. Change the amount and dates in the calculator to see any period.
What if I invested monthly in Ethereum or the S&P 500?
$100 a month from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026 adds up to $12,100. In Ethereum it would now be about $213,908; in the S&P 500, about $27,585.
FatDCA comparisons are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice.
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