Scenario · Crypto
What if I'd invested $100 in Ethereum in 2020?
Last updated June 4, 2026 · real market data
A one-time $100 buy of Ethereum on January 6, 2020 would be worth about $1,238 today — it has grown +1138.1% (about 48.2% a year). Here is exactly how that number is built, year by year, and what it does — and doesn't — mean.
Try your own amount
How the number is built
The calculation is deliberately simple: take the adjusted price on the entry date, assume you spent the whole amount at once, and value those exact units at today's price — no trading in between, no adding more, no selling early.
- Entry price (January 6, 2020): $146.54
- Units bought: $100 ÷ $146.54 = 0.6824 ETH
- Price today (June 4, 2026): $1,814.35
- Value today: 0.6824 × $1,814.35 = $1,238
Year by year
The same $100 position, valued at the end of each year:
| Year | Ethereum price | Holding value | Return so far |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $978.28 | $668 | +567.6% |
| 2021 | $3,828.27 | $2,612 | +2512.4% |
| 2022 | $1,200.34 | $819 | +719.1% |
| 2023 | $2,281.87 | $1,557 | +1457.2% |
| 2024 | $3,635.99 | $2,481 | +2381.2% |
| 2025 | $3,144.70 | $2,146 | +2046.0% |
| 2026 | $1,814.35 | $1,238 | +1138.1% |
Risk: the drawdown behind the headline
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this window was about 48.2% — but it did not arrive in a straight line. At its worst, the position fell 77% from a previous peak before recovering. That is the part a single "what if" number quietly leaves out.
Compared with the same money elsewhere
The same $100, over the same window, placed in other assets:
| If invested in… | Value today | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum (this page) | $1,238 | +1138.1% |
| Bitcoin | $789 | +689.3% |
| S&P 500 | $232 | +131.9% |
| Cash (under the mattress) | $100 | +0.0% |
Cash assumes no growth and ignores inflation, so its real-world purchasing power would have fallen over the period.
What actually drove this result
In January 2020, Ethereum traded around $130 and was still known mostly as the platform behind the 2017 ICO wave. The DeFi 'summer' of 2020, the NFT mania of 2021, the move to proof-of-stake (the 2022 'Merge'), and the spot-ETF approvals of 2024 were all still ahead of it.
The path was anything but smooth: ETH multiplied through 2021, gave most of it back in the 2022 bear market, then recovered. A $100 stake is small enough to hold through all of that without panic — which is precisely why it is a cleaner illustration of the asset's volatility than a life-changing sum would be.
Data & method
Prices are daily closing prices from Binance public market data. We model a single lump-sum buy, held untouched, in USD. Full details are on our methodology page. Figures last refreshed June 4, 2026.
FAQ
How much would $100 invested in Ethereum on January 6, 2020 be worth today?
Based on real daily closing prices, a one-time $100 buy on January 6, 2020 would be worth about $1,238 as of June 4, 2026 — a +1138.1% total return (48.2% a year). That assumes you bought once and never sold.
Does this include staking rewards or yield?
No. This is a price-only calculation. It excludes staking rewards, lending yield, fees, and spreads.
Was the ride actually smooth?
No. Over this window the position fell as much as 77% from its peak before recovering. The final number hides the drawdowns you would have had to sit through.
Is this investment advice or a prediction?
Neither. It is a historical illustration using real past prices. Past performance does not predict future results — see our methodology and terms.
This page is educational and is not financial advice. See our terms & disclaimer.
Run your own "what if" across crypto, gold & stocks.
Open the calculator ⚡