Starting at the Beginning of Bitcoin's Mainstream Era
2017 was when Bitcoin went mainstream. If you started buying in January 2017, you were there for the full ride: the 2017 bull run to $19,783, the devastating 2018 crash, three more years of volatility, the 2021 double peak, and the 2022 bear market.
Starting in 2017 (instead of 2015) means you missed Bitcoin's obscure accumulation years but captured all the volatility of the modern era.
The Numbers
| Year End | BTC Price | Total Invested | Est. Portfolio Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2017 | $13,880 | $1,200 | ~$11,500 |
| Dec 2018 | $3,742 | $2,400 | ~$5,200 |
| Dec 2019 | $7,179 | $3,600 | ~$11,800 |
| Dec 2020 | $29,001 | $4,800 | ~$56,000 |
| Dec 2021 | $46,211 | $6,000 | ~$83,000 |
| Dec 2022 | $16,547 | $7,200 | ~$29,000 |
| Dec 2023 | $42,265 | $8,400 | ~$70,000 |
| Early 2024 | $70,000+ | $8,700 | ~$115,000+ |
The 2018 Test
The most brutal test for a 2017 DCA investor was 2018. At December 2017's peak, your $1,200 investment was worth about $11,500. By December 2018, it had fallen to around $5,200 - despite continuing to invest $100/month throughout.
This is where DCA investors either quit or became long-term holders. Those who quit locked in losses. Those who kept buying through 2018 were buying Bitcoin at $3,000-$6,000 - which turned out to be excellent prices.
Why 2020 Changed Everything
By January 2020, a consistent $100/month DCA investor had put in $3,600 and had a portfolio worth roughly $8,500 - a modest gain. Then 2020 happened.
The COVID crash briefly sent your portfolio value down, but the subsequent bull market was extraordinary. Bitcoin went from $7,000 at the start of 2020 to $29,000 by year end - and $65,000 by April 2021.
The monthly buying through the bear market of 2018-2019 paid off dramatically when the next bull market arrived.
The 2022 Bear Market - Staying the Course Again
2022 was another brutal test. Your portfolio fell from ~$83,000 to ~$29,000 as Bitcoin crashed from $46,000 to $16,547. But the DCA investor who kept buying through 2022 was accumulating BTC at $20,000-$30,000 - levels that look like excellent entries from the vantage of 2024.
The Summary
From January 2017 to early 2024:
- Total invested: ~$8,700
- Estimated portfolio value: ~$115,000+
- Return on invested capital: ~12x
12x return on capital over 7 years, through two major bear markets, a global pandemic, an exchange collapse, and countless moments of maximum fear. Not because of perfect timing - because of consistent, mechanical monthly buying.
The key is the time horizon. DCA doesn't produce brilliant short-term results. Over 7+ years with Bitcoin's growth trajectory, the compounding effect of buying at all price levels produced substantial wealth.
Try our Bitcoin ROI calculator to see returns for any specific date or amount.