• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
FinanceCryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are collapsing: Here’s how much $1,000 would be worth today if you had invested earlier

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 10, 2022, 11:46 AM ET

The crypto crash of the past few days slowed down some on Tuesday, but Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more continued to post losses in early trading.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are now at their lowest levels since July 2021—and both are trading for less than half of what they were worth last November.  

There’s plenty of bad news for anyone investing in the crypto markets, but it’s especially bad for people who jumped in at the peak. We got curious about exactly how bad returns on various crypto investments at various times in the past few years might be. For a wider picture, we looked at prices for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Terra, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu.

Here’s the grim—and often not so grim—picture: (All prices are as of 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday.)

June 12, 2017

As you’d expect, long-term investors are still positive, even with this latest round of volatility. Here’s what that $1,000 would be worth today, for cryptos that were around at that time.

Bitcoin: $11,922
Ethereum: $6,060.93
Solana: n/a
Terra: n/a
Dogecoin: n/a
Shiba Inu: n/a

Jan. 9, 2018

The first big cryptocurrency rush was underway. Ethereum hit a high of $1,405.21. And Bitcoin hit $11,296.61. Had you put in $1,000 at that peak, here’s what the investment would be worth today.

Bitcoin: $2,806.50
Ethereum: $1,718.55
Solana: n/a
Terra: n/a
Dogecoin: n/a
Shiba Inu: n/a

July 3, 2019

After a turbulent 2018, crypto markets began to climb again. Ethereum saw slow and steady growth to $301.40 and Bitcoin neared $12,000. Meanwhile, Dogecoin had made its way onto markets, though no one was paying it any attention at the time. Those that did, though, are still winning big.

Bitcoin: $2,647.04
Ethereum: $8,012.34
Solana: n/a
Terra: n/a
Dogecoin: $35,703
Shiba Inu: n/a

March 12, 2020

The day after the WHO declared a global pandemic, Ethereum was trading at a modest $127.29, while Bitcoin was at $4,861.32. Dogecoin was still less than an afterthought for investors. That $1,000, though, would still have seen returns.

Bitcoin: $6,521.67
Ethereum: $18,971.79
Solana: n/a
Terra: n/a
Dogecoin: $63,735.88
Shiba Inu: n/a

May 23, 2021

Investors were hot on crypto and prices were beginning their assent to the moon. Bitcoin hit $49,698.93. Ethereum was selling for $3,720.21. Dogecoin was up to 43 cents. And a new meme coin called Shiba Inu had just hit the market. For many investors, though, this is when that $1,000 investment began to look less wise. Here’s what it would be worth today.

Bitcoin: $637.92
Ethereum: $649.13
Solana: $2,932.02
Terra: n/a
Dogecoin: $267.66
Shiba Inu: $809.14

Nov. 9, 2021

Bitcoin hit its all-time high of $67,553.95 and Ethereum was near its best price at $4,635.94. Dogecoin was already on the way down, though, falling to just over 27 cents, while Shiba Inu was hitting its peaks. The $1,000, though, would generally have been better spent elsewhere.

Bitcoin: $469.31
Ethereum: $520.91
Solana: $301.89
Terra: $ 631.53
Dogecoin: $418.69
Shiba Inu: $309.09

Jan 1, 2022

Cryptos were already losing ground at the start of the year. Bitcoin was down to $47,739.42. Ethereum had dipped to $3,766.82. And Solana was down to $179.07. Some investors bought on the dip. They would regret that. $1,000 spent at the start of the year is now worth:

Bitcoin: $664.10
Ethereum: $641.10
Solana: $402.97
Terra: $ 346.02
Dogecoin: $666.04
Shiba Inu: $500

April 10, 2022

Even investments made as recently as one month ago are showing losses. Bitcoin was at $42,749.91 and Ethereum hovered at $3,253.80. That $1,000 stake took some blows.

Bitcoin: $741.61
Ethereum: $742.18
Solana: $639.21
Terra: $345.16
Dogecoin: $765.36
Shiba Inu: $680

May 3, 2022

It’s not just pandemic-era investors who have seen hits. Even people who bought as recently as a week ago have seen their $1,000 shrink. How much depends on what they bought.

Bitcoin: $827.39
Ethereum: $855.97
Solana: $829.62
Terra: $384.58
Dogecoin: $881.98
Shiba Inu: $809.52

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

broker
Investingbubble
AI is eating the market and Wall Street strategists have bubble brain as they debate: are we in 1997 or 1999?
By Nick LichtenbergMay 18, 2026
44 minutes ago
Attendees sit to watch a speech during the 2023 Consensus conference in Austin, Texas
CryptoCryptocurrency
A strip club scandal at a major crypto industry event triggers sponsor backlash
By Jack KubinecMay 18, 2026
1 hour ago
data center
AIData centers
Communities are blocking billions in data centers. Big Tech has wagered $1 trillion otherwise
By Nick LichtenbergMay 18, 2026
2 hours ago
trump
EconomyCurrency
China will remain an ‘incomplete superpower’ until it can catch up with U.S. financial might, market veteran says
By Jason MaMay 18, 2026
3 hours ago
David Solomon
SuccessCareers
Goldman Sachs’ CEO once scooped ice cream at Baskin-Robbins—he picked up a second job at McDonald’s after his dad gave him a time management lesson
By Preston ForeMay 18, 2026
3 hours ago
Top CD rates from major banks May 18, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
BankingCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on May 18, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Danny BakstMay 18, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

The top foreign holders of U.S. debt may soon dump Treasury bonds and bring their money back home, potentially spiking borrowing costs
Economy
The top foreign holders of U.S. debt may soon dump Treasury bonds and bring their money back home, potentially spiking borrowing costs
By Jason MaMay 17, 2026
1 day ago
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
2 days ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
6 days ago
'No one was coming to save me': How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn't fix
Success
'No one was coming to save me': How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn't fix
By Sydney LakeMay 17, 2026
1 day ago
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
Innovation
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
2 days ago
Gen X is the most indebted generation in America. Their employers can fix that
Commentary
Gen X is the most indebted generation in America. Their employers can fix that
By Mary MorelandMay 17, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.