If You Invested $1,000 in These 5 Cryptos When They Launched, Here's What You'd Have Today

Cryptocurrency has long been seen as a high-risk, high-reward investment. While many have stayed on the sidelines due to its notorious volatility, others who invested early on in some of the world’s most popular digital currencies have reaped enormous rewards. If you’d put $1,000 into five well-known cryptocurrencies at their launch, here’s how your investment would look in April 2025.

Dogecoin: A Joke That Turned Into Millions

• Launch Price (Dec 2013): $0.000513

• Price (April 2025): $0.16

• Value of a $1,000 Investment Today: $3.125 million

Dogecoin’s story is almost as famous as its meme origins. Initially introduced as a joke, Dogecoin’s value remained low for years. However, with Elon Musk’s vocal support starting in 2019, the meme coin gained serious traction. Fast forward to today, and a $1,000 investment at launch would be worth $3.125 million, highlighting the unpredictable nature of crypto and the power of social media influence.

Bitcoin: The Gold Standard of Crypto

• Launch Price (July 2010): $0.0008

• Price (April 2025): $86,882

• Value of a $1,000 Investment Today: $108.6 billion

Bitcoin’s impact on the world of finance cannot be overstated. Originally priced at just $0.0008 per coin in 2010, Bitcoin has grown to become the largest and most recognized cryptocurrency. Today, at a price nearing $87,000 per coin, a $1,000 investment in Bitcoin from its early days would be worth an astonishing $108.6 billion. Its rise remains one of the most remarkable success stories in modern finance.

Ethereum: A Powerful Platform for Smart Contracts

• Launch Price (Aug 2015): $2.92

• Price (April 2025): $15.73

• Value of a $1,000 Investment Today: $5,387

Ethereum, often seen as Bitcoin’s most important rival, was introduced in 2015 with a focus on enabling decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Its utility beyond being a store of value has solidified its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency. At a price of $15.73 per coin in April 2025, a $1,000 investment at launch would now be worth about $5,387—a solid return, though not in the same league as Bitcoin.

Solana: A Growing Player With Modest Gains

• Launch Price (March 2021): $14.23

• Price (April 2025): $15.51

• Value of a $1,000 Investment Today: $1,090

Solana is a relatively new entrant in the crypto market, launched in 2021. Known for its high-speed blockchain and lower transaction costs compared to Ethereum, Solana’s price has remained relatively stable. Today, a $1,000 investment from its early days would have grown to $1,090, offering modest returns. While the coin has potential for future growth, its gains so far have been more conservative than those of older cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Tether: Stability Over High Returns

• Launch Price (Feb 2015): $1.21

• Price (April 2025): $1

• Value of a $1,000 Investment Today: $826

Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin, designed to hold a 1:1 value with the U.S. dollar. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Tether is not meant to offer huge returns but instead acts as a stable store of value. As of April 2025, Tether remains pegged to $1, meaning a $1,000 investment would have declined slightly in value to around $826. While not the type of investment that sees wild price swings, Tether’s role in the market remains critical for investors seeking stability in a volatile sector.

What We Can Learn from These Cryptos

These five cryptocurrencies offer a window into the world of early-stage investments in digital assets. While some coins, like Bitcoin and Dogecoin, have turned early adopters into multi-millionaires, others like Tether and Solana have provided more modest returns.

The takeaway for investors? Cryptocurrencies can be incredibly rewarding, but they come with high risk. While some coins have seen massive appreciation in a short period, others have shown that not all digital assets are designed for explosive growth. For anyone looking to invest in crypto, it’s important to understand both the potential rewards and the inherent risks.

Also Read: Top 3 Cryptos to Buy Now in 2025 While Prices Stay Low