Over the past decade, cryptocurrency has transformed from a niche curiosity into a mainstream asset class. But what if you had seen the potential early on and invested just $1,000 into every major coin a decade ago? Which coins would have delivered the biggest returns—and by how much?
Let’s dive into the top 10 cryptocurrencies that would have given you the best return on investment (ROI) if you had invested $1,000 into each one ten years ago.
Top 10 Cryptocurrencies by 10-Year ROI
| Rank | Coin | Approximate ROI | $1,000 Then → Value Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitcoin (BTC) | ~129,284,762% | $1.3 billion |
| 2 | Shiba Inu (SHIB) | ~17,512,095% | $175 million |
| 3 | Binance Coin (BNB) | ~639,740% | $6.4 million |
| 4 | Dogecoin (DOGE) | ~110,100% | $1.1 million |
| 5 | Ethereum (ETH) | ~770,003% | $7.7 million |
| 6 | XRP (XRP) | ~40,417% | $405,000 |
| 7 | Solana (SOL) | ~21,609% | $216,000 |
| 8 | Chainlink (LINK) | ~13,736% | $138,000 |
| 9 | TRON (TRX) | ~13,710% | $138,000 |
| 10 | Cardano (ADA) | ~3,546% | $36,500 |
Key Observations
1. Bitcoin (BTC) – The Billionaire Maker
Your $1,000 would now be worth over $1.3 billion. Bitcoin is not just the first crypto; it remains the king of long-term ROI.
2. Shiba Inu (SHIB) – From Joke to Jackpot
Despite launching as a meme token, SHIB turned micro-penny prices into an eye-watering $175 million return on a $1,000 bet.
3. Ethereum (ETH) – Smart Contracts, Smart Gains
Investing in Ethereum’s early days would have turned your $1,000 into $7.7 million, thanks to its foundational role in DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts.
4. Meme Coins Still Roar
Dogecoin, another meme coin, would’ve made you a millionaire with over $1.1 million in returns.
5. Platform Tokens Deliver
Coins like Binance Coin, Solana, Cardano, and TRON have powered ecosystems, yielding strong growth for early investors.
Important Caveats
- Data Bias: Not every coin existed 10 years ago. Some launched in 2015 or later; ROI is calculated from their earliest available price.
- Survivorship Bias: Most cryptocurrencies launched in the early 2010s no longer exist. These are the winners that survived.
- Volatility: Prices in crypto markets are extremely volatile. This analysis is not a prediction of future returns.
- Practicality: In reality, buying all coins equally 10 years ago would’ve been difficult due to limited exchanges, liquidity, and access.