The $100k Club

The Value of Bitcoin Over the Years

Bitcoin's value has experienced significant fluctuations since its inception in 2009, with each price movement often tied to specific events, policy changes, or societal trends.

As the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin's journey has been marked by periods of meteoric rises and sharp declines, driven by factors ranging from regulatory shifts to celebrity endorsements.

One of the more counterintuitive aspects of Bitcoin's history is the market's reaction to regulatory bans. When countries like China imposed restrictions on cryptocurrency trading or mining, you'd expect that such measures would suppress Bitcoin's value.

However, the opposite often occurred. Traders, anticipating reduced supply or viewing the bans as opportunities for decentralized financial systems to prove their resilience, responded with bullish behaviour. For instance, when China banned cryptocurrency transactions in 2021, Bitcoin's price initially dipped but rebounded significantly as global traders doubled down.

Celebrity endorsements have also played a notable role in Bitcoin's value trajectory. High-profile figures like Elon Musk have demonstrated their ability to move markets with a single tweet. Musk's announcement in 2021 that Tesla would accept Bitcoin as payment caused a surge in its value, reflecting increased confidence in mainstream adoption. On the other hand, his later reversal, citing environmental concerns, led to a temporary slump.

The graph clearly demonstrates that Bitcoin has experienced consistent growth over the past 15 years, establishing itself as one of the most significant—albeit volatile—investments of the 21st century.

Curious to see how much you could have made if you'd invested all those years ago? Enter your investment amount and date into the Bitcoin Investment Calculator below to see your potential returns:

Comparing Bitcoin Against Traditional Investments

As the world of finance continues to shift, Bitcoin stands out as one of the most disruptive assets of our time. But how does investing in this new “digital gold” fare when compared to traditional investment assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate?

From the seemingly safe bets of index funds and bonds to the enduring appeal of gold and real estate, this analysis examines how Bitcoin compares. For those uncertain about cryptocurrency, this comparison provides the clarity needed to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

Below, the graph breaks down the returns on Bitcoin alongside these legacy investments:

Over the past decade, Bitcoin has outperformed traditional investments, showing its potential for high returns despite its volatility. For example, if you had invested $1,000 in Bitcoin in 2015, it would have grown to $292,858.42 by 2025, a staggering 29,047% increase. This far exceeds the growth seen in traditional assets such as gold, stocks, or even real estate.

When comparing Bitcoin to gold, for instance, gold's value grew by just 58.42% over the same period. While gold is often viewed as a safer, more stable investment, its long-term gains were far smaller than those of Bitcoin.

The S&P 500, a benchmark for the U.S. stock market, showed a solid performance with a 185.22% return over 10 years, highlighting the strong growth of traditional stocks. However, Bitcoin's returns still substantially outpaced these figures, showing its high-risk, high-reward nature.

Real estate also offered lower returns, gaining 45.37% in the U.S. and a 54.40% increase in the UK. Often seen as a safer and more stable investment, real estate has offered solid returns, but its growth has been far outpaced by Bitcoin's meteoric rise.

In contrast, U.S. savings accounts were the least profitable, with returns barely exceeding 97.66% over 10 years, underscoring the impact of low interest rates on traditional savings. In the UK, the return was even lower with an instant access savings account offering a modest return of 7.36% and 1-Year Fixed Rate ISAs returning 17.27%.

Bitcoin has dramatically outperformed traditional assets, but it's crucial to remember that these returns come with high volatility and risk—something that more stable investments like stocks or real estate don't typically carry.

But what about the stock market?

In the past five years, few traditional stocks outperformed Bitcoin. NVIDIA, a technology company specializing in graphics processing units, delivered a 2,097.42% return from 2020 to 2025, outpacing Bitcoin's 1,257.25% increase. Similarly, fitness-focused energy drinks company Celsius Holdings grew by 1,328.13%.

However, over a ten-year period these stocks didn't gain as great returns as Bitcoin's 33,281%, with NVIDIA increasing in value by 28,283% and Celsius Holdings by 11,325%.

For risk-averse investors, traditional stocks generally offer a safer option. Blue-chip companies like Microsoft and Apple may not deliver the astronomical returns of Bitcoin, but their 10-year growth rates of 955.22% and 712.12%, respectively, showcase consistent performance over time.

Bitcoin's appeal lies in its potential to disrupt the financial system and its capacity for explosive returns. However, its lack of diversification and income potential makes it a riskier asset to hold. Traditional stocks, by contrast, allow investors to spread risk across various industries.

The Countries Most Interested in Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency interest varies widely across the globe, influenced by factors such as local laws, technological infrastructure, and the ability to use crypto for everyday transactions. Since Bitcoin reached the $100k milestone, some countries have seen an uptick in interest in the currency.

Here, the study explores which nations demonstrate the greatest enthusiasm for cryptocurrency by analysing the Google search volumes per 1 million people in December of 2024, when Bitcoin hit a value of $100k.

The Netherlands in Europe leads the way as the country with the most interest in Bitcoin with 23,477 searches per 1 million of its population. With a tech-savvy population and a strong appetite for financial innovation, the Dutch have consistently shown a deep engagement with Bitcoin. Amsterdam, in particular, has become a hub for crypto-related startups and events, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts and investors.

In fact, the top thirteen countries with the most interest in Bitcoin are in Europe, including Finland, Andorra and Austria, only breaking at Australia in 14th place. Europe has become a leading Bitcoin hub due to its progressive regulations with countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Estonia offering clear legal frameworks, while cities such as Berlin and Lisbon attract blockchain innovators.

The United States comes in 28th place with 8,483 searches per 1 million people. U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to establish a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve has drawn both support and criticism, with some arguing that such a reserve could bolster the U.S. dollar's global dominance, provide a hedge against economic uncertainties, and give the government leverage over the cryptocurrency market.

While some countries have a strong personal interest in Bitcoin, others invest in Bitcoin on a government level with Bitcoin reserves. Explore the list below to see the top Bitcoin-holding governments in 2024:

In 2024, several governments emerged as significant holders of Bitcoin, showcasing diverse levels of investment. The UAE leads with a rumoured 420,000 BTC worth $39.3 billion, while the United States follows with 198,109 BTC valued at $18.59 billion.

China and the UK also hold substantial reserves, estimated at 190,000 BTC ($17.8 billion) and 61,245 BTC ($5.74 billion), respectively. Smaller nations like El Salvador and Bhutan highlight the spectrum of participation, with holdings of 6,001.7 BTC and 11,688 BTC.