If You Had Invested in Bitcoin vs Gold vs S&P500: Who Won the 3-Year Battle?

If You Had Invested in Bitcoin vs Gold vs S&P500: Who Won the 3-Year Battle?

By MakeItReal | MakeItReal | 7 Sep 2025


Hello HODLers!

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if, three years ago, you had decided to start investing $100 every month – but couldn’t decide between Bitcoin, Gold, or the S&P 500?

Today, we’re going to reveal the ultimate showdown: crypto vs traditional finance, in a no-BS, numbers-only comparison.

Spoiler: one asset absolutely crushed the others, but the lesson might surprise you.


The Method: Keeping It Fair and Simple

To keep things realistic, here’s how the experiment was done:

  • Starting August 1, 2022, $100 was invested every month into each asset – this is known as a DCA strategy (Dollar Cost Averaging).

  • All calculations assume no fees, no commissions, and prices were taken directly from TradingView.

  • For simplicity:

    • BTC/USD was used for Bitcoin.

    • Gold/USD per ounce for gold.

    • S&P 500 Index (SPX) as if tracked perfectly by an ETF.


The 3-Year Results: BTC vs Gold vs S&P500

Here’s what your portfolio would look like as of September 2, 2025.

Asset Final Value % Gain Bitcoin (BTC)  $10,857 +193% Gold (XAU)  $5,876 +58% S&P 500 (SPX)  $4,979 +34.5%

Bitcoin: The Clear Winner

If you had chosen Bitcoin, your $3,700 would now be worth $10,857 – almost tripling your money!

Over 37 months, you would’ve accumulated 0.0982 BTC, which, at today’s price of $110,500, gives you a massive +193% return.

This result shows why Bitcoin continues to outperform every traditional asset, becoming more accepted by investors worldwide, from retail traders to Wall Street giants.

Fun fact: just 3 years ago, many analysts were calling Bitcoin “dead” during the 2022 bear market. Imagine selling back then…


Gold: Steady and Reliable

Gold didn’t do badly either. Your $3,700 would have turned into $5,876, giving you a +58% return.

This performance was driven by global uncertainty, inflation fears, and geopolitical tensions – all classic catalysts for gold as a safe-haven asset.

You’d now hold 1.69 ounces of gold (around 48 grams). Not bad for stability lovers!


S&P 500: The “Worst” Performer… but Still Solid

The S&P 500 delivered the lowest growth, with your portfolio reaching $4,979 – a +34.5% return.

While it looks small compared to Bitcoin’s explosive rally, a 34.5% gain in three years is still very respectable, especially considering it came from diversified U.S. stocks, historically one of the safest ways to grow wealth long-term.


So… Should You Go All-In on Bitcoin?

After seeing these results, you might think:

“Forget stocks and gold — I’m putting EVERYTHING into Bitcoin!”

But hold on. Here are two reasons why you shouldn’t blindly go 100% BTC:

  1. Risk vs Reward
    Bitcoin’s massive return comes with much higher volatility.

    • 2022 saw BTC crash to $15,000.

    • If you panic sold back then, you’d have locked in losses instead of riding the recovery.

  2. Diversification Matters
    Gold protects during crises.
    Stocks provide consistent growth and dividends.
    Crypto offers explosive upside.

    A smart investor balances all three to maximize returns while managing risk.


The Big Lesson

Looking back, the best-performing portfolio would have been 100% Bitcoin – no doubt about it.

But ask yourself honestly:

  • Would you have had the courage to stay invested through Bitcoin’s wild swings?

  • Could you watch it drop 60% without panic-selling?

For most investors, the answer is no.
That’s why diversification is key. A mix of crypto, gold, stocks, and maybe even bonds creates a bulletproof portfolio that lets you sleep at night while still enjoying upside potential.


Final Thoughts

The past three years taught us something powerful:

  • Bitcoin dominates in performance,

  • Gold shines in stability,

  • Stocks grow steadily over time.

The ultimate strategy? Don’t choose — combine them.
This way, you’ll capture Bitcoin’s moonshots while staying protected during crashes.

Would you have guessed Bitcoin would almost triple your money in just three years back in 2022?
That’s the magic of staying invested and trusting the process.

 


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