Bitcoin vs gold vs the S&P 500: what is better to buy every month?
Three classic stores of wealth: crypto, gold and the broad stock market. We calculated what identical recurring purchases in each would have produced.
5 years of $10 a day
| Asset | Invested | DCA · 5 years | Result | $1,000 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $18,410 | $27,439 | +49.0% | $1,131.41 |
| Gold | $18,410 | $29,455 | +60.0% | $2,191.19 |
| Silver | $18,410 | $30,827 | +67.4% | $2,157.74 |
| S&P 500 | $18,410 | $27,951 | +51.8% | $1,770.46 |
| Nasdaq-100 | $18,410 | $29,899 | +62.4% | $1,778.77 |
| Nvidia | $18,410 | $67,566 | +267% | $5,005.73 |
Over 10 years
| Asset | Invested | DCA · 10 years | Result | $1,000 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $36,670 | $281,345 | +667% | $86,492 |
| Gold | $36,670 | $78,727 | +115% | $3,319.35 |
| S&P 500 | $36,670 | $80,553 | +120% | $4,008.28 |
| Nasdaq-100 | $36,670 | $98,243 | +168% | $6,191.85 |
Over the last year
| Asset | Invested | DCA · 1 year | Result | $1,000 1 year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $3,800 | $3,327.76 | −12.4% | $713.5 |
| Gold | $3,800 | $3,391.12 | −10.8% | $913.37 |
| Silver | $3,800 | $2,892.13 | −23.9% | $870.23 |
| S&P 500 | $3,800 | $3,999.33 | +5.25% | $1,115.77 |
| Nasdaq-100 | $3,800 | $3,897.2 | +2.56% | $1,103.08 |
What it means
- Bitcoin has the highest potential return and the deepest drawdowns. Only for people who can stomach months in the red.
- Gold is slower but steadier and balances a portfolio well.
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 are the middle road: thousands of companies in one asset.
Many investors don't pick just one and split their monthly amount across several assets. Test your own mix in the comparison calculator.
AuGold XAU
Calculator →
DCA $10/day · 5 years: +60.0% · Price $3,886.30
S&P 500 SPY
Calculator →
DCA $10/day · 5 years: +51.8% · Price $754.37
Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
